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Tony DiFranco (Nhrover)
On Probation
Username: Nhrover

Post Number: 115
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 06:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I dont usually think of myself as an idiot but.... this time OK. Maybe I am overly cautious but I have a Britax Marathon seat and have been trying to install it per mfg specs. Shouldnt be that hard right? I just cant seem to get the thing tight enough AND secure the straps under the little black clips. Thats the first issue. Second in the "rear facing" position I cant get the seat back far enough to allow my wife to get in. what gives? And no she is not big. With baby she may weigh 160bls. Any one have any suggestions or advice I would welcome it all. Anyone been in this situation? Thank you VERY much in advance!!
-Tony D
 

Leigh Mikolajczyk (Leigh_m)
Member
Username: Leigh_m

Post Number: 91
Registered: 01-2004
Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 06:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Try the center seat belt it is easier to adjust to get it tight and you may get the room you need with the seat in the middle. Good luck with the little one
 

Aaron Richardet (Draaronr)
Senior Member
Username: Draaronr

Post Number: 551
Registered: 09-2002
Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 08:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

That's a sweet car seat I just bought one for my little boy. In the rear facing mode you almost always have to put it in the center, or else the passenger seat has to be shoved almost entirely forward. I use a different seat when they are little then put them in the britax when they are larger. Britax is a great seat, just tends to be large.
 

Matt Wallace (Nantahala)
New Member
Username: Nantahala

Post Number: 6
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 08:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Ditto with everything already posted. I installed a Marathon in a DII last week - it was a little hard tightening the belts and getting the black clips to snap around the lap and shoulder belt - push hard on the black clips. It would have been a lot easier to do with two people. Try going by a fire department and they will do it for you if you can't get some help. We also used the "bucket" (and base) that came with the stroller and that is a lot easier taking a newborn in and out without having to unstrap them from a seat. Wife also bought a Mighty-Tite seat belt tightener but I haven't put it in yet... looks pretty sturdy. Good luck!
 

Peter Carey (Peterca)
Member
Username: Peterca

Post Number: 109
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 02:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

"Try going by a fire department "
Tony, you may think this sounds funny, but if you remember your classes probably mentioned that either the fire department or sometimes the state patrol is glad to assist and even comes to some of the classes to help people with it. Failing that, and failing the middle seat working, call your insurance company and have them refer you to some place locally that can help. If your insurance company won't help you make sure a car seat is in right, drop 'em.

pwc
 

Kenny Bissett (Jetson)
Member
Username: Jetson

Post Number: 160
Registered: 07-2003
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 08:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Go to Target and pick up a "Mighty-Tite". It attaches to the seat belt and cranks it down tighter than you'll ever do by hand. Best $12 I've ever spent!
 

carl seashore (Drcarl)
Member
Username: Drcarl

Post Number: 116
Registered: 07-2003
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 09:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

tony,

type in your zip code here.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/whatis/regions/index.cfm?fitting=yes
then go to your local pd or fd and they will either put it in for you or "certify" your installation. you are not alone. 80% of car seats are installed wrong in this country, even with the LATCH system, which your car should have.
cheers,
carl
 

Ivan 94 LWB (Montoya)
Member
Username: Montoya

Post Number: 47
Registered: 01-2003
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 10:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

That's a big car seat for a new born. We switched to the marathon at about six months. I initially installed it in the rear center seat but it was so tall that it blocked my rear view. He now seats directly behind the drivers seat (lwb comes in handy). Because of the angle the belt comes in, I can't use the black snap ons. Even in a rental car with latch, I could only use one black snap.

I know you alread spent some dough on the marathon, but I suggest getting the Graco Snugride ($90ish) and Snap-n-go (&70ish) combo. It's much smaller. You'll disturb your sleeping baby less getting in and out of the car. At around 2months, our baby would fall asleep around 6pm for about 5hours. The snug ride made it real easy to sneak him out for dining out. The basket on the snap-n-go is large to carry all your gear and baby gear.
 

Jordan Zadwick (Fade_to_black)
Member
Username: Fade_to_black

Post Number: 47
Registered: 06-2003
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 03:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I know what you mean, my wife and I just had our son and are using the Eddie Bauer and it doesn't leave much front seat room in the rear facing position.
 

Matt (Doc175)
Member
Username: Doc175

Post Number: 250
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 04:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

What year is the Rover? The newer models have the LATCH system that should just snap right in.
If not, it really is a two person job to get it really tight. The fire house suggestion is good. One thing we did that helped get the seat to lean back enough is used a piece of styrofoam under the base. We cut one of those circular water toys and put it under the base where the seat bottom meets the seat back, right under the kids legs. This puts the kid in a good leaning back position and allows you to really crank down on the belt to get a good tight seat.
 

Tony DiFranco (Nhrover)
On Probation
Username: Nhrover

Post Number: 116
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 07:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Thanks guys!! I did go to the fire station and "we" got it to fit good in the center position. My wife cant really help being sooo pregnant. The leather seats are a Bitch to push down on to tighten the strap. I have since bought a smaller seat to use for a while until the Britax can be a foreward facing seat. The Britax will work better in the foreward position for all eventually.

thanks again -Tony
 

Ivan 94 LWB (Montoya)
Member
Username: Montoya

Post Number: 53
Registered: 01-2003
Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 02:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

there are seat protectors that look just like rubber floor mats to prevent permanent creases from forming on your leather. the rear seats on my 94 lwb have indentations from the car seats the previous owner had.
 

Peter Carey (Peterca)
Member
Username: Peterca

Post Number: 123
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 05:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Yeah, get a mat or towel under there.

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