Anyone ever try the "tote n go" portable car seat that Mary..

[dtsaos]

from Mousesavers recommends? It's made by safety first. I've read complaints of some portable car seats being kind of crappy, but I wasn't sure about this one. You can see it at www.babyage.com
Appreciate any thoughts on this!
Thanks!

[safetymom]

What will you be using it for? If it is for a trip it is ok but it's not approved for use on an airplane. If it is for general use I would use a regular bar seat.

[tjmw2727]

We tried the tote N go for my youngest and couldn't return it fast enough. We just could not install it into the car properly. We tried both my and dh's car and it was impossible to get it in tight. Even after using a locking clip and every trick we knew to get a seat tight my then 2yo could manage to get herself laying flat with her back on the seat of the car while still strapped in the harness.

We returned it and got a refund.

There have been many threads here and 99.9% of reports have been negative - if the search feature is working you may want to try searching for tote n go.

Honestly I never had much problem taking our regular CRS on the aircaft and the tote n go IIRC wasn't cheap anyway.

HTH
TJ

[dtsaos]

Well, I guess it doesn't soud like a very good option. We will actually be taking Amtrak and you can just check the car seats in as luggage but I thought it might be easier to bring something like the tote n go. We'll be renting a van when we arrive and the rental agency charges $7 per car seat per day if we go with theirs! We have 3 little ones so that adds up to quite a bit for a week, plus they'll probably be more comfortable in their own seats.

[tjmw2727]

Well, I guess it doesn't soud like a very good option. We will actually be taking Amtrak and you can just check the car seats in as luggage but I thought it might be easier to bring something like the tote n go. We'll be renting a van when we arrive and the rental agency charges $7 per car seat per day if we go with theirs! We have 3 little ones so that adds up to quite a bit for a week, plus they'll probably be more comfortable in their own seats.

I have always found that taking our own CRS's is the best way to go, they are familiar and comfortable and DH and I are good at installing them correctly. Besides the Tote N Go runs about $25.00 so for you that could be a $75.00 investment in somthing you may or may not use again.

I have also had bad experiences with rental seats - not to mention the cost. The final time we rented a seat with the car it was so gross and old we used it for about 15 minutes - the time it took is to get to a wallmart and buy a seat. Believe me it was worth it and we used it in DH's car at home after the trip.

Airlines do not count carseats against your luggage allowance so hopefully Amtrak will not either. My sil has a great bag for her seats, it has straps like a backpack and also has rollers with an extending handle (like a rolling suitcase) she loves it. She got it for $19.99 at BRU and has used it many times -

HTH
TJ

[thaggie]

Bought 2 when taking twins to Bahamas ended up returning them as soon as I got them!