Car booster seat question?

[Soprano]

Apologies for starting new thread as there has been one recently, but this is slightly different.

I am thinking about buying a car booster seat from Argos. (Cat. No. 3753378). My children are 3 and 4. Would this be okay with U.S. regulations and the car hire company?

I am flying with Virgin and using their car hire company. Do they even check you have one? I would not travel without one, but object to high prices to hire one. We have full car seats at home, but would not like to carry two bulky items.

I would then just leave it in the US when we return home.


http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3753378.htm

Grateful if you could check the link and pass on any thoughts?

TIA

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have never taken our own but I know people who have done and have had no problems.
Having booked through Virgin ourselves and use Dollar I would be very surprised if they even notice you have your own.

I wouldn't worry.

 

[Nubbedy]

I am also curious about this. Was hoping to get away with taking our booster seat with us because its so light. I object to paying so much to hire one. DS will be nearly 4 when we go.

 

[TandCmum]

children under 4 have to be in a proper carseat with 5 point harness, so you would need a proper car seat for your 3 year old I'm afraid but the 4 year old would be fine with a booster. However you have to think what you would be doing at home, if you wouldn't put your 4yr old one one of those booster cushions at home, then why should you compromise bacuse you are on holiday.

Argos also do a high back booster seat that has full harness for about £35. It is supposed to be quite light and might be a better bet. Last year we just took the normal car seats. Other than having to get them to check in and from luggage collection to car hire you don't really have to handle them at all.

 

[Soprano]

children under 4 have to be in a proper carseat with 5 point harness, so you would need a proper car seat for your 3 year old I'm afraid but the 4 year old would be fine with a booster. However you have to think what you would be doing at home, if you wouldn't put your 4yr old one one of those booster cushions at home, then why should you compromise bacuse you are on holiday.

I see your point you are making, but I would/will be using booster seats at home. My children are getting too big for the car seats we have now. They both turning 4 and 5 in May. I was curious about official US regulation. I could take one booster and one car seat if I want to play by the book.

Thanks all.

 

[jax100]

we took the platinum package with virgin so our car seat was included in the price. we had a 4 and a 3 year old. Our 4 yr old was too big for the car seat and we had to squeeze her into it probably doing more harm than good. after speaking to our rep we discovered that if she was sitting in the normal adult seat with a seatbelt we would still be within regulations. she wouldnt shift however wanting to stay the same as our son. who although being 3 was almost too big for the seat too.

this yr we will be 5 and 4 and we intend purchasing booster seats in wallmart when we get out, or seeing if dollar provide booster seat as opposed to the 5point style seat. also someone recommended purchasing a cheap one here and putting it in our luggage, and binning it before we fly home.

both my children are in booster seats here, and have been since they were 2.5yrs old due to them climbing out their seats. they dont have the backed version cos they dont fit my car, altho later on this yr they will have to due to new uk rules coming in.

i think it comes down to personal preference at the end of the day. but your 4 yr old would be fine in a booster and not the 5point style.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

We have a lightweight Britax seat we take with us every year.
It will eventually turn into a booster seat and have no problems getting it back on forth from the USA or anywhere else.
You could always buy a booster seat out there from Wal Mart or Toys R Us, etc...
Have a look on the WalMart, Target etc web sites for prices