Question about the weight limits on the Radian car seat.

[North_Of_60]

In a thread a few weeks back someone said the Radian was being re-rated to go up to 65 pounds. I just looked online where it would be purchased and the product description still says only 48 pounds.

I'm getting my mom to buy it so we can leave a car seat in Canada, so I don't want to tell her to go out and get it if it's only a 48 pound weight limit.

We ultimately want a seat under 200 dollars that has a high weight limit so it will last DD a few years worth.

[mtm]

My understanding is Canada hasn't approved any car seats over 48 pounds so its the same seat as sold in the US, just different limits listed. I was told that you can't use a carseat from Canada in the US and vice versa but I'm not sure how accurate that is.

[chickabiddy]

Originally Posted by North_Of_60

In a thread a few weeks back someone said the Radian was being re-rated to go up to 65 pounds. I just looked online where it would be purchased and the product description still says only 48 pounds.

I'm getting my mom to buy it so we can leave a car seat in Canada, so I don't want to tell her to go out and get it if it's only a 48 pound weight limit.

We ultimately want a seat under 200 dollars that has a high weight limit so it will last DD a few years worth.

I am an American CPST, not Canadian, but it was my understanding that the Radian Premier was approved to 65 pounds in Canada earlier this year, and the Canadian site for SunshineKids seems to confirm this ( http://ca.skjp.com/products/skjp_radian_premier.php ). Online product descriptions are not always accurate.

[lemurmommies]

As of May 2007, an interim order was put in place raising the allowed legal weight limit for car seats from 48 pounds to 65 pounds. From what I understand from reading the link from Transport Canada:

Interim Order for 30-kg (65-lb) Rated Child Restraint Systems in Canada

it would seem to me that the Radian and the Marathon could now be used up to 65 pounds in Canada.

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by mtm

My understanding is Canada hasn't approved any car seats over 48 pounds so its the same seat as sold in the US, just different limits listed. I was told that you can't use a carseat from Canada in the US and vice versa but I'm not sure how accurate that is.

I wasn't planning on using the seat purchased in Canada in the US. That's why we want a higher weight limit, so that we can leave it there and have a seat to use when we travel up there. I guess I should have clarrified that mom is IN Canada and that's where she'll be buying the seat. Sorry.

Ok, next question.. did they actually change the seat to make it suitable for the higher weight limit? Or is it just that it was reclassified?

So if my mom goes out and finds one but the box still says 48 pounds, can that seat still be used to 65, or do we have to find a "new" seat in order for the new rating to take effect?

[chickabiddy]

Originally Posted by North_Of_60

I wasn't planning on using the seat purchased in Canada in the US. That's why we want a higher weight limit, so that we can leave it there and have a seat to use when we travel up there. I guess I should have clarrified that mom is IN Canada and that's where she'll be buying the seat. Sorry.

Ok, next question.. did they actually change the seat to make it suitable for the higher weight limit? Or is it just that it was reclassified?

So if my mom goes out and finds one but the box still says 48 pounds, can that seat still be used to 65, or do we have to find a "new" seat in order for the new rating to take effect?

It is the exact same seat: only the labels have changed.

Again, I am not a Canadian tech, so please double-check this information -- but I believe that you can get a new label for the seat with the new weight limits. I will link Sunshine Kids' customer service contact page and you can get in touch with them: http://ca.skjp.com/customer_service/support.php .

[ThreeBeans]

It is the EXACT same seat. Effective May 1, you can now use the seats rated to 65, instead of only 48.

However, in terms of using a seat that has the old label? Hmmm. It's the same seat. NOTHING has changed. The seat was tested and designed to 65 lbs. Technically, you should not use a seat against it's labeling :

But in this case, I'd say it's a parental decision, if you get my drift :

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by chickabiddy

It is the exact same seat: only the labels have changed.

Again, I am not a Canadian tech, so please double-check this information -- but I believe that you can get a new label for the seat with the new weight limits. I will link Sunshine Kids' customer service contact page and you can get in touch with them: http://ca.skjp.com/customer_service/support.php .

Thanx for the link, I'm going to contact them this afternoon.

ThreeBeans, I get yer drift. She's no where near 65 pounds (barely 25), but I just don't want to find out in 2 or 3 years that, oops, can't use *that* seat past 48 pounds because the LABEL, yah know?

So.... if I can get a new label it shouldn't be an issue. That is, if the "old" seats are still on the shelves as per their online descriptions. :

Thanx for the help everyone! :

[ScotiaSky]

The 199.99 seats at Canadian Tire are still rated to 48 lbs and at this point it does not look like they will re sticker to 65 lbs until their old stock is sold out.

But most baby boutique stores are selling both the Radians models rated to 65 lbs.

Most sell them at 229.00 but if you search you can find a boutique that sells it for 199.99...I did because I wanted the blue cover(CT only sells Grey) but not the price tag.
Just make sure your MIL checks to make sure its one of the newer 65 lbs if she buys it in person.

I bought both of my Radian's the week after the new regulations came into effect(like the same day) but after contacting Sunshine Kid's they said that they will not be restickeing seats already bought even though they are the same seat.

I have the e-mail to prove it and feel comfortable enough by this reps' reassurance that I will use both seats to 65 lbs despite what the label of the two seats I own say.

Although it does bug me that they are not properly stickered and if I had been able to wait I would have returned both. But I needed them to travel with ASAP.

Sunshine Kids is replacing one of my seats due to a minor issue and I am praying it arrives with the new 65 lb label.

There are two places that I know of to buy the 65 lbs seat right now. TJ Kid's in BC and Safety Superstore in Toronto.
Or you can wait until Canadian Tire has restocked the 65 lb seat.

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by ScotiaSky

There are two places that I know of to buy the 65 lbs seat right now. TJ Kid's in BC and Safety Superstore in Toronto.
Or you can wait until Canadian Tire has restocked the 65 lb seat.

We leave next week week and are going to BC. Where is TJ kids? Obviously we need something to get home from the airport with, so Canadian Tire would be convenient.

[DevaMajka]

Wow! Thanks for this thread! We are in Canada, and bought a Radian, with the intention of using it just a few lbs past 48.
Ds is only 30 lbs, but it's great to know that we can go the whole way with the Radian! Too bad I can't get new stickers...

Could that potentially be considered an offense/illegal? Perhaps by the time he's that size, they'll agree to send out new stickers.

[ThreeBeans]

Originally Posted by Deva33mommy

Could that potentially be considered an offense/illegal? Perhaps by the time he's that size, they'll agree to send out new stickers.

"Of course he weighs under 48 pounds, officer!" : :

What are they going to do, bust out a scale on the side of the highway and make your kid stand on it?

[ScotiaSky]

http://www.tjskids.com/cart.asp?whic...ize=&item=3326

You can buy online or in one of their stores..

HTH

I think its more of not using the seat the way the label/manual says over anything else and if anything were to happen the company could not be held accountable if something were to fail. In the case of the Radian's its a parenting decision to decide to use the car seat past what the manual says.I feel A OK about doing it with the Radian because of the e-mail I received from the rep.
Now another seat that does not have the higher rating at all I would never use past what the maker recommends.
Our Marathon which I just bought in the fall eh I am not so sure I will. Hoping because our DD is so tiny it will not be a issue though.

I also highly doubt that anyone besides those in the know would even think to look on the label of a car seat for correct usage information. Most police officers would just check to see if the child is in a seat and maybe the obvious misuses.

[pigpokey]

Barring an illness causing obesity, I don't think either of my children would fit in our Radian when they are over 48 pounds, and 65, no way.

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by pigpokey

Barring an illness causing obesity, I don't think either of my children would fit in our Radian when they are over 48 pounds, and 65, no way.

You know, I'm thinking the same thing. I'm almost positive that she'll outgrow it in hight before she outgrows it in weight. She's 15 months old and barely 23/23 pounds. (I thought 25, but we weighed her the other day). So.. it'll be a looooong time before she hits 48 pounds.

[chickabiddy]

Originally Posted by North_Of_60

You know, I'm thinking the same thing. I'm almost positive that she'll outgrow it in hight before she outgrows it in weight. She's 15 months old and barely 23/23 pounds. (I thought 25, but we weighed her the other day). So.. it'll be a looooong time before she hits 48 pounds.

The Radians allow use with the top straps above the shoulders if certain criteria are met. I have seen kids with long legs/short torsos and solid builds (not slender, but not obese either) get pretty close to 65 pounds in the Radian. I have absolutely no doubt that my own daughter will make it to 48 pounds in hers.

[mommamand]

My DS is 40" and 35 lbs. He is outgrowing his current seat (Evenflo Tribute) by height and I am wondering about the Radian.
I have read it is a real PITA to install...?