Car Seat Question

theimpossibleastronaut · July 2014

Hi all, this will be a post and run as I'm on lunch.

Long story short: I need recommendations for a convertible car seat that has easy to tighten straps (for use by a grandparent, my MIL). DD is 16 months, 23 pounds, 32 inches. I'd like to keep her rearfacing as long as possible. I think Graco is out as we are having an issue with MIL tightening the straps on a current Graco seat. MIL also doesn't like our car seats, Evenflo Triumphs, as she thinks they are difficult to tighten with the knob on the side.

Anyone know of a seat that's easy for grandparents to tighten?

TIA

theimpossibleastronaut · July 2014

twolittlewheels said:

I think you will have a hard time finding something easier than the knobs with the Evenflo.

I know. I was just hoping there's something. I think the Graco may just have an issue at the moment, because my H can't get the straps right either. He's looking at it this afternoon, but I was going to see if there were any other seats out there just in case he can't figure out the issue with the Graco.

Thanks though!

theimpossibleastronaut · July 2014

I should mention that MIL got a new car and we moved the seat, so we're going to check and see if it's an install problem first, but I wanted to have a back up plan just in case.

I am probably jumping the gun here worrying. It could very well be that. If it's not then we may just have to give her one of the Triumphs for now as she can tighten that but it is a little more difficult for her.

theimpossibleastronaut · July 2014

Thanks, everyone! I'm at the end of my lunch so I'm logging off, but this has been really helpful so far!

RayRay007 · July 2014

I love the Evenflo Symphony 65/DLX and would recommend it for grandparents because of the ease of installation and adjusting the shoulder straps. It is also easy to tighten. It RF until 40lbs, FF in the 5pt harness until 65.

cyprissa · July 2014

I think the easiest to tighten are the Britax seats. We have a Roundabout 55 and it is a lot like tightening an infant seat. The only issue with Britax is that they are not good for extended rear facing for tall kids because they have short shells. Does she have a long torso?

Sillygirl85 · July 2014

I have the evenflo triumph and have found that it is easier to tighten in an SUV or a van then in a sedan. I find that in an SUV or van the positon of the seat lifts the knob higher and so it's easier to get a hand in to tighten it, whereas in a sedan it's harder to get in there to turn the knob.

We tried using our Triumph in my Mom's Volvo sedan and I could not get my hand in to tighten the knob.

MintBerryCrunch · July 2014

The Chicco Nextfit is really easy to tighten and has a lot of nice features that make it easy for people to use. Kind of expensive but a 20% off coupon for BRU or BBB makes a good difference. Some people online have combined coupons at Target to get them under $160 as well. Britax seats also tighten easily as PP said but aren't that great for ERF.

ToastieSimons · July 2014

The Diono Radian is really easy to tighten. You pull the strap till snug then ratchet it till it's tight. So it's just quick short pulls.

Our Graco MyRide65 is a BEAR to tighten. I have to do it twice or else DS2 is loose when we get there, and I have to put all my weight in it.

ASmallWonder · July 2014

There's a trick to the gracos. Pull the straps tight from behind the seat first and THEN pull the strap between the feet. It's about a million times easier.

RondackHiker · July 2014

Am I the only one who doesn't loosen the straps every time I take DS out?

minervacullen · July 2014

RondackHiker said:
Am I the only one who doesn't loosen the straps every time I take DS out?

I never do.

ASmallWonder · July 2014

I don't once they're bigger but if they're skinny/little and you're tightening to pass the pinch test that doesn't leave a lot of room to maneuver them, especially rear facing.

theimpossibleastronaut · July 2014

Hey all. Severe weather prevented H from checking the seat. So it's probably the triumph for now. Thanks for all the recs and tips! If we need a new seat I'll look into the ones suggested.

lrn327 · July 2014

This is late, but I'd recommend checking out the Nextfit too. I think our Britax was the easiest to tighten by far but it's not great for ERF as others have mentioned. We sized up to a Radian and while we have it down now, the learning curve on strap tightening was tough. I'd never even consider trying to let my MIL tighten him in the Radian, it just wouldn't be good.

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