car seat recommendation?

M

Maverick

New member
What forward facing 5 point harness / booster seat works well in the 4Runner with a seatbelt (not latch) install? I'm considering a britax frontier 90, but there a few things I don't like about it so I thought I would reach out to you all. Also, what car seat protector works well without damaging the softex seats?

Photos would be even better :bounce:

Thanks!
 
Register to hide this ad
We have and really enjoy the Diono Radian RXT. We are still using it rear facing but have no intention of buying anything else for our lil one.
 
Maverick said:
What forward facing 5 point harness / booster seat works well in the 4Runner with a seatbelt (not latch) install? I'm considering a britax frontier 90, but there a few things I don't like about it so I thought I would reach out to you all. Also, what car seat protector works well without damaging the softex seats?

Photos would be even better :bounce:

Thanks!
Click to expand...

We liked the Frontier 85 and Britax in general (owned multiple Frontiers, Marathons, Boulevards and I forget what else...feel like I spent as much on car seats as I did on my 4Runner), but since you said you have issues I'll try on question number 2. I just fold a thin towel and stick under mine. I can still crank it down tight enough with the seat belt that it doesn't budge and it keeps the seats looking better than using nothing (ask me how I know). Good luck!
 
sroodtuo said:
We have and really enjoy the Diono Radian RXT. We are still using it rear facing but have no intention of buying anything else for our lil one.
Click to expand...

can you post a photo of this installed so I can see how much room it takes? Do you have it in the center?
 
We have the Recaro Performance Sport. It was expensive but it's really great and has a lot of great reviews and won a bunch of awards.

Why would you not want to use the latch system though?
 
DocAdams said:
We have the Recaro Performance Sport. It was expensive but it's really great and has a lot of great reviews and won a bunch of awards.

Why would you not want to use the latch system though?
Click to expand...

We have a Recaro Performance Sport as one seat in the minivan and like that one. I wasn't able to get a secure fit with the belt in the 4runner, but perhaps I need to try again.

There are two reasons for not using latch. The 1st is that my older son is near the weight limit where it is recommended to use the belt instead. The 2nd is that 1 out of the 4 latch openings is misaligned in my new 4runner and after a lot of struggle I was able to get a carseat mounted, but I'm pretty sure after a few days of use it would tear the seam in the softex. Since the other seat is mounted without the latch I figured I would do both the same way and buy two new seats. This seems more appropriate than taking it back to the dealer for such an issue.
 
Get the Frontier 90 and don't look back. It is crazy simple to install. In or out in no time. Check out YouTube videos. You simply buckle it up and close the seat. I have used one for about a year and love it.
 
JPF1 said:
Get the Frontier 90 and don't look back. It is crazy simple to install. In or out in no time. Check out YouTube videos. You simply buckle it up and close the seat. I have used one for about a year and love it.
Click to expand...

I probably will end up buying 2 of these. I went to Baby's R Us to do a test fit this afternoon. My only concern is damaging the seatbelts after years of use and the headrest rattling as it seems flimsy with a bit of play. Any real world thoughts on those issues in a 4runner?
 
I would encourage you to read the crash test results and other reviews on the Diono and Recaro seats. I'm not saying the other brands are less safe but I have seen more good reviews on the brands I listed.

Here is one for the Diono.
The Car Crash Detective: 2014 Diono Radian RXT Review: Is it Still Worth It?

I just checked the site linked above and found a very good review on the Britax Frontier 90 as well...
http://www.thecarcrashdetective.com/2014/06/2014-britax-frontier-90-review-why-buy.html
 
Last edited:
Diono for 5pt harness. When they are bigger, Harmony V6 booster. Both were key to getting 3 across and having access to the actual seat belt clips!
 
As far as car seat goes, we like the Graco My Ride65 from Toys R us. Car seat cover we use in our cars is a Kurgo cover. Its made for dogs, but works great with babies! Waterproof, cleans well, and lifetime warranty. It was like $30 for the cover.
 
We have and really enjoy the Diono Radian RXT.
11i.jpg
 
I have the Diono and they have been a great fit. I have one forward and one rear facing. With the two there is still room to drop down the rear seat centre arm rest.

If at all possible I recommend taking the kids to do a test sit before buying anything. There were some other brands I was considering but after putting the kids in they clearly were an uncomfortable fit.

The Diono are heavy but fold up square making them relatively easy to transport when not mounted.
 
I have a few carseats from costco and a couple of cheap boosters from walmart that seem to work ok. I have no idea what brand they are.

As for seat protection, kiss your nice seats goodbye. I've tried a few different covers in different vehicles with the same results, ruined seats. I'm now using big bath towels that match, held on by cutting holes for the headrests, two per side. So far damage is minimal. Kids and car interiors don't mix well.
 
Thanks for all the input.

I just ordered 2 Britax Frontier 90 seats. I picked these seats because they are safe, install securely with the seatbelts, and allow the headrest and harness to be adjusted quickly and easily without taking the seat out. I have 2 boys ages 2 and 5, but rarely haul both of them in my car. We have a minivan for most family outings. If I am hauling 1 kid, then I can quickly adjust the harness height and put them behind the empty passenger seat so they don't kick the back of the seat. I'm 6'4" so there is minimal room behind my seat, but it will work for some trips if I have the whole family in my car. I may even try to install the 2nd seat in the middle, but I doubt that will fit. I also plan to just put a black towel under the carseats to protect the softex seats as much as possible.

Now back to more exciting topics :uzi:
 
Maverick said:
Thanks for all the input.

I just ordered 2 Britax Frontier 90 seats. I picked these seats because they are safe, install securely with the seatbelts, and allow the headrest and harness to be adjusted quickly and easily without taking the seat out. I have 2 boys ages 2 and 5, but rarely haul both of them in my car. We have a minivan for most family outings. If I am hauling 1 kid, then I can quickly adjust the harness height and put them behind the empty passenger seat so they don't kick the back of the seat. I'm 6'4" so there is minimal room behind my seat, but it will work for some trips if I have the whole family in my car. I may even try to install the 2nd seat in the middle, but I doubt that will fit. I also plan to just put a black towel under the carseats to protect the softex seats as much as possible.

Now back to more exciting topics :uzi:
Click to expand...

Using a towel on softex seats may cause the seat to slide around too much. When I went to a safety seat check, they gave me some no slip drawer liner, which will protect and keep the seat in place.

Something like this:

Amazon.com - Duck Brand 1100731 Non-Adhesive Select Grip Easy Shelf Liner, 12-Inch x 20-Feet, Taupe - Drawer Liner

I use it in the wife's GX470 (leather seats), works well.
 
Whiplash Willy said:
Using a towel on softex seats may cause the seat to slide around too much. When I went to a safety seat check, they gave me some no slip drawer liner, which will protect and keep the seat in place.

Something like this:

Amazon.com - Duck Brand 1100731 Non-Adhesive Select Grip Easy Shelf Liner, 12-Inch x 20-Feet, Taupe - Drawer Liner

I use it in the wife's GX470 (leather seats), works well.
Click to expand...


Whiplash is correct about the seats. The Towels will slide and you don't want those seats to move. We have the Britax Frontier 90 as well in the 4Runner and we opted to use the following under the Frontier 90 and our other Britax seat to help save the seats and prevent movement. Basicly what Whiplash uses in the roll with extra padding. They also come in handy if your child ever gets car sick as it helps to catch what puddles under the seat! (Ask me how I know! ) :D

Over all they are a great option and the grandparents appreciate them when kids seats go in their cars for trips.

Best $40.00 ($19.99 x 2) a ever spent to help protect the seats.

Amazon.com : Summer Infant Elite DuoMat for Car Seat, Black : Rear Facing Child Safety Car Seats : Baby

If you need a picture of the installed product, let me know.

Hope this helps!

T4RT
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 206 (members: 0, guests: 206)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,309
Messages
3,554,071
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top