Traveling with a car seat

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post #1 of 6

1/5/12 at 5:31pm

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cristeen
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We currently have DS FF in a TFP. He is 40+ lbs, and 38 inches tall (last we checked, it's been about 6 weeks, so probably closer to 39 now). Next month we're planning an over night train trip with a car rental on the other end, and a long weekend at our destination, with another train trip home. I really don't want to lug a TFP on and off a train and try to install that monster in a rental car. Not sure I see another choice though. I've been looking at getting him a Britax Frontier 85, since he's going to need it before his next birthday at this rate, but not sure that's any better for lugging around, and I wasn't planning on getting it so soon.

Anyone have any suggestions? Not sure I'm comfortable relying on the car rental agency's car seats, all things considered.

Trust your instincts on the car seat rental idea... it's possible (perhaps even likely) that you'd end up with a broken seat, a dirty seat, a seat that didn't fit your child properly, or, quite possibly, no seat at all. The Frontier is certainly a great seat, but it's heavy and bulky. If it's going to be difficult to transport the TFP, it will be at least as difficult to transport the Frontier.

We recently traveled with an Evenflo Maestro. I tried to install it with both LATCH and the seat belt in our relative's car. I got a great install with the seat belt in about a minute flat. It has a nice tall harness for larger kids. It's also one of the most lightweight and narrow FF seats out there, which is great for travel, of course. My son loved the cup holders :) The only thing I did not like was how close together the harness straps are. They rubbed my son's neck, which bothered him. I made the parental choice (possibly not the officially CPST-approved choice...) to put harness covers over the straps from another car seat. I adjusted the Maestro's straps to fit my child well, then added the covers.

An added bonus... a Maestro will run you only about $75.

post #3 of 6

1/5/12 at 8:44pm

MacKinnon
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Renting is not a good idea, sorry. How old is your DS? Two like your sig says and 40lbs? A Maestro is probably going to be your lightest weight and most affordable option, but you're right in saying he'll need a Frontier eventually if keeps up this pace!

Perhaps you could sell it at that end, in advance? And arrange for someone to meet you at the train station to pick it up, rather than bringing it back?

The Frontier and Nautilus are both BIG heavy seats, I wouldn't try to travel with either of them. In the end, buying a Maestro is probably your best bet.

post #4 of 6

1/5/12 at 11:56pm