Car seats: Tote N Go (portable)

[flagdaytwins]

Sorry if this has been discussed already...but it is bugging the heck out of me! This whole car seat issue.....we are renting a car and I have twins. It costs $100 to rent two car seats for a week (the car itself is only $104 to rent for the week!).

So...I've seen a portable car seat called the Tote N Go (by Cosco). I've heard only negative things about it. Any positives out there??

 

[all4fun]

I have heard only bad things about the tote 'n go as well. Have you considered strapping one car seat onto your stroller (I put the back of the seat flush with the back of the stroller, wedged on top of the basket and bungee'd it on - worked great) and getting a set of luggage wheels for the other one? I know it's not ideal...but safety is more important than convenience. I'm still looking forward to when a small backless booster is adequate for travel though!

Also, consider that if your checking the car seats anyway, they don't count against your checked luggage or carry-on count.

 

[Hockeymommy]

When I see people talking about carseats it usually makes me cringe. I am a certified carseat safety tech in Washington. I want people to think about a few things before they make any decisions about travel without carseats or using one from a rental car agency.

1. American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children should be in a safety restraint until they are at least 4ft 9in and 80lbs.

2. You can always take your infant seat, car seat or booster from home. It will fit fine on the plane unless you have the Britax Husky (most of you won't). Don't you think your child will be more comfortable in the seat they are used to traveling in anyway.

3. If you are thinking about getting a seat from the car rental agency, DON"T!!!!!!! Any seat that has ever been in an accident NEEDS to be distroyed. If a seat has been a crash the integrity of that seat has been compromised, whether you can see it or not. When you get a seat at a rental agency you don't know the history of the seat and therefore are putting your precoius cargo in harms way. Your best bet is to go to the local Walmart, K Mart or Target and get some less expensive seats there. When your on vacation you don't need on with all the bells and whistles. At Walmart you can get a booster for $20, infant seat for $30 and a regular carseat for about $40. When you leave you can donate them to the local Health Dept (they will get them to local families in need). Not only have you kept your kids safe you have a tax deduction waiting for you.

4. One last thought. Before you leave on vacation make sure you call the rental agency and to get the exact make of that car you will have. Many cars have different types of seatbelts. This way you will know if you need to use locking clips or not.

I know this seems like a lot of extra work. But if your putting this much time into planning your vacation shouldn't you take time to make sure your children are safe.

 

[Colinsmom]

Just wanted to add that most car rental agencies won't guarantee a car seat - it's only a request. So you could get there and have a rental car but no car seats at all!!

Here's a good review of the TNG:

http://www.carseatdata.org/TNG.html

 

[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 on the seat.

We returned it and got a refund.

We found using a CSR in the aircraft was ideal until about 3ish, after that age we just got a carseat bag and checked them through as luggage.

TJ

 

[lilyprincess]

We have 2 Safety 1st Tote and Go carseats for our two kids 2 and 4. I bought them from one step ahead catalog. I beleive they also have a website. They work great for us! We did have trouble the first time we used them but once you figure it out, it's a breeze. I also adjust the straps that go on the child at home and they have thier names on them so I know who's is who's. We practiced at home before our trip. They cost about 80.00 (for 2) including shipping but we travel a lot so we get the use out of them. If you aren't traveling more than once or twice a year, I suggest checking your own seats either at baggage claim or at the gate. They don't against your luggage allowance. They sell carseat bags especially for air travel so they don't get ripped or dirty.

 

[jenniskinni]

When I see people talking about carseats it usually makes me cringe. I am a certified carseat safety tech in Washington. I want people to think about a few things before they make any decisions about travel without carseats or using one from a rental car agency.

1. American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children should be in a safety restraint until they are at least 4ft 9in and 80lbs.

2. You can always take your infant seat, car seat or booster from home. It will fit fine on the plane unless you have the Britax Husky (most of you won't). Don't you think your child will be more comfortable in the seat they are used to traveling in anyway.

3. If you are thinking about getting a seat from the car rental agency, DON"T!!!!!!! Any seat that has ever been in an accident NEEDS to be distroyed. If a seat has been a crash the integrity of that seat has been compromised, whether you can see it or not. When you get a seat at a rental agency you don't know the history of the seat and therefore are putting your precoius cargo in harms way. Your best bet is to go to the local Walmart, K Mart or Target and get some less expensive seats there. When your on vacation you don't need on with all the bells and whistles. At Walmart you can get a booster for $20, infant seat for $30 and a regular carseat for about $40. When you leave you can donate them to the local Health Dept (they will get them to local families in need). Not only have you kept your kids safe you have a tax deduction waiting for you.

4. One last thought. Before you leave on vacation make sure you call the rental agency and to get the exact make of that car you will have. Many cars have different types of seatbelts. This way you will know if you need to use locking clips or not.

I know this seems like a lot of extra work. But if your putting this much time into planning your vacation shouldn't you take time to make sure your children are safe.

I second Hockeymommy! I'm a Child Safety Seat Tech in Kentucky. Please Moms-realize that convenience is not worth getting your child hurt! PS Even if you know your car seat is in right, get it checked often-see your local fire dept or police dept or ask your Dr.

 

[robinb]

Bring your regular car seats with you. You can bungee them on a regular folding luggage cart with one upside down and on top of the other like this: L7. If your kids are under 3, you'll also want to use them on the plane. I found that my 3 year old had just enough extra room to kick the seat in front of her and we stopped using our seat on the plane. Most ailines provide a plastic bag for your car seat to protect it in the cargo hold, although ATA didn't out of MCO in Janaury.

 

[dunningdisney]

Unless you need a car to get around during the week, you could try Tiffany Town Car. We have used them many times. The van comes with car seats automatically but I believe they are free with the smaller cars. You just have to reserve them. $110.00 Round trip & can print a $5.00 coupon off their website.

 

[Pir8girl]

I'm not sure how old your twins are but I have traveled through Europe and the states with my kids. This is what I did:

Bungee cord your normal car seat to a luggage carrier with wheels. Put child in car seat. Check strollers with your luggage. Use backpack for diapers. When you get on the plane, fold up luggage carrier and put child and car seat into the airplane seat. This is also very handy when child is asleep and you'd rather have a root canal then wake them lol.
When you arrive at DL or WDW you are ready to go. You and your husband could each pull a child. My daughter absolutely loved this and was very content to watch people as she "strolled" by.
Pirate Girl

 

[happynewyorker]

I'm pretty sure you children are worth more than 100 bucks. We will be taking our britax carseat and my husband will be carrying it on his back with the Pac Back Car Seat Carrier by Cheeky Monkey. My daughter's safety is my number on concern, I don't care how much things are. Safety is important and your childrens' should be also.

 

[flagdaytwins]

Thanks to those who answered my question. Your assistance helped me make a decision on the portable seats.

 

[robinb]

Thanks to those who answered my question directly ("Any negatives on the Cosco Tote n Go portable car seat?"). Your assistance helped me make a decision on the portable seats.

Well laa-dee-dah. That's pretty snotty since the rest of us who didn't answer "directly" were just trying to help you too.

 

[flagdaytwins]

oops....meant to thank those who shared their experiences with car seats while travelling. I do appreciate the input but honestly -- I am truly insulted by the assumption of others that a) I wasn't bringing any car seats and b) I would risk safety over convenience. As I don't know y'all, you don't know me -- and if you did, you would never have questioned the care and concern I have for my children.

Can we please close this thread?

 

[all4fun]

You know, I realize after re-reading my response how you could have taken my comment as assumption about you however I was only speaking about my own feelings on the matter, not assuming you also didn't feel that way. So sorry if I offended you - it really wasn't intended!

 

[tjmw2727]

Actually your question was "any positives out there?" I am sorry there were not more positives.

I have used this seat so I answered with my own personal experience, unfortunately that was a negative experience. Since that was not the answer you wanted should I have not responded? I don't think so, this forum is soooo helpful in so many ways and most posters get lots of information by reading others posts. In a week or two another parent may want to inquire about the tote n go and discover this thread instead. I feel that my experience can be helpful to anyone reading - OP or not.

I hope the moderators don't close a thread simply because an OP didn't get the results they wanted.

I trust that you made a decision on CRS's for your children that is the proper one for your family. My rule of thumb is that if I wouldn't do/use something at home I won't use it on vacation. This goes for bedrails, CRS's and lots of other things.

Considering your dear ones are 2 1/2 I would consider using a CSR on the aircraft as well as having one for the rental car. FWIW the Tote N Go is not FAA approved but most (99.9%) of those in use in personal vehicles are. Why not just bring what you already own - safe and secure and no extra $$ spent.

Have a great vacation.
TJ