Inexpensive 5 pt. harness carseat for over 40 lbs?

[Jenny-momof3]

The little boy that I watch is outgrowing the carseat that I have for him. He's only 2 but he's really tall so his shoulders are already almost at the top strap! He weighs about 35 pounds.

His mom said she will get another carseat for him but doesn't want to pay a ton of $$ for it since I only use it once a week or so...if that.

Any suggestions for a carseat with a higher height/weight that had a harness?

 

[Anthony1971]

All carseats have a height and weight limit... most are 35-40 pounds then you must use a booster seat.
do not know the exact reason but if you read the instructions they will state NOT to use the harness once the weight or height is reached-- in other words you need to use the car seatblet with a booster seat.
My best guess is exactly what you are saying with shoulders the strap will go up and over instead of straight out and over--maybe this can cause them to slip out??

 

[Jenny-momof3]

There are quite a few carseats that harness to 65 pounds....but they're pretty pricey. Trying to find one that isn't over $100 if possible.

No way am I comfortable just putting him in a regular seatbelt with a booster seat! He's only 2!

 

[fakereadhed]

Not budget, but great investment if you have a large kid.
Graco Nautilus- 5 pt. Up to 65 pounds. Converts to a booster and backless booster.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0011URFRE/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/181-6327985-6172755

 

[Jenny-momof3]

I love the Nautilus! But she doesn't want to spend that much $$ since it won't get used very often. Which I completely understand. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[thebeesknees]

We have a couple of Cosco Scenera boosters. 5-point harness, then converts to a high-back booster with the seatbelt. I think they run about $50 or so. I liked that they are narrow (important when trying to fit 3 across the back seat), and the kids said they are comfortable. DS used his harness until he turned 8, DD used hers until she turned 7 and got too tall. Now, they use them with the seatbelt.

 

[mrudman]

What does she use for him?

If she's in the need for a new carseat as well (thinking she probably is if she hasn't bought one recently).. what about talking to her, and deciding on one together that you can swap out between your 2 cars?

I know it's not the most convenient thing to do, but I would think her #1 goal would be safety of her child, not getting the cheapest car seat possible.

And since you only take him out once a week, to swap out the car seat once weekly isn't that big of a deal.

Just my opinion,

 

[Bren's Mom]

Cosco Sceneras aren't boosters, they're convertible seats. And they only harness to 40lbs and likely aren't much taller than the seat the op's charge already has. You're probably talking about a Cosco high back booster, which also has a harness in it. Those only harness to 40lbs, and have fairly low top slots (less than 15in) so the harness on those will likely be close to outgrown as well.

One option would be an Evenflo Maestro. It harnesses to 50lbs, and has fairly tall top slot for the harness (about 18in). It's about $80, although if you can wait for a sale you might find it less than that. It is a forward-facing harnessed seat, and then it becomes a high back booster.

The Maestro will last almost as long height-wise as a Graco Nautilus.

Keep in mind, though, that 35lbs is on the high side for a 2 year old...so it is possible that he could outgrow the harness by weight before he's maturity wise ready for a booster.

If the mom definitely won't go for a Nautilus, get a Maestro and then use the harness as long as possible. If his weight slows down, hopefully you'll get him to 5 harnessed and then hopefully he'll be ready for a booster.

Coleen
CPST

 

[Bren's Mom]

What does she use for him?

If she's in the need for a new carseat as well (thinking she probably is if she hasn't bought one recently).. what about talking to her, and deciding on one together that you can swap out between your 2 cars?

I know it's not the most convenient thing to do, but I would think her #1 goal would be safety of her child, not getting the cheapest car seat possible.

And since you only take him out once a week, to swap out the car seat once weekly isn't that big of a deal.

Just my opinion,

Actually, because the chances of making an error go up the more times you uninstall a seat, you are better off with two inexpensive seats than one pricey one that's swapped out constantly.

ALL seats on the market are safe when installed and used properly.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

I have the Cosco high back booster right now...and like a PP mentioned...it harnesses only to 40 pounds. His shoulders are right at the top strap!

We definitely don't want to be swapping out carseats everyday. Sometimes dad brings him, sometimes mom. And it's pretty random when I take him places. I don't ever want to be stuck without a carseat because they didn't leave one! So that's just not an option for us.

I'll into the Evenflo one mentioned...thank you! His parents are very tall and lean...as is older sister. So he'll outgrow the height on the strap before he outgrows the weight. He's not chunky at all...just extremely tall!

 

[tms295psu]

I just purchased an Evenflo Maestro for my daughter (occasional use in dad's truck). Shoulder Harness Height is equal to Nautilus... the highest I could find without going to a britax frontier. And it 5 pt harnesses to 50 lbs.

She uses a Britax Marathon in my car (love it!!!) and I will move her to a Britax frontier 85 when she outgrows the harness height in the Marathon. But since she is only in her dad's truck occasionally (once a week). I can't justify spending $300 on a 2nd seat.

 

[msmama]

My son was about that size when he was 2. He just turned 3 and he's grown maybe 2 lbs and an inch in the last year so he did slow down incredibly.

That said, yes the Nautilus is expensive, but he'll never need another seat. So spread that price over the next 5+ years and it's not that expensive.

 

[krystalleigh1]

It's around $129 but it doesn't expire unless it's in an accident. It's a newer product but has high ratings. Doesn't take up much space in the car, is portable, and pretty easy to use. You'd want a size SM.

 

[sherry7]

All carseats have a height and weight limit... most are 35-40 pounds then you must use a booster seat.
do not know the exact reason but if you read the instructions they will state NOT to use the harness once the weight or height is reached-- in other words you need to use the car seatblet with a booster seat.
My best guess is exactly what you are saying with shoulders the strap will go up and over instead of straight out and over--maybe this can cause them to slip out??

Unfortunately, this is very outdated information. There are many car seats that go up to higher weights than 35 to 40 lbs. For example, my daughter's car seat (Sunshine Kids Radian XTSL) goes from 5 to 85 lbs (harnessed, not booster). However, that seat is kind of pricey, so the parents probably wouldn't want to buy it for such infrequent use.

OP, I would suggest asking your question on this forum: http://www.car-seat.org/ There are a lot of car seat safety techs that frequent that forum, who could give you very good suggestions.

 

[bumbershoot]

That said, yes the Nautilus is expensive, but he'll never need another seat. So spread that price over the next 5+ years and it's not that expensive.

FWIW, that's what I thought, too. And now my son is only 50 lbs, but is just about to hit the top slot. If I want to keep him in a harness I have to find something else (and I don't even now if there are harness seats with a taller top slot), or I have to move to a booster before it was intended. I'm SO bummed.

He still falls asleep in the car...a booster just isn't safe if he does that and slumps down...


(though I didn't find the Nautilus to be that expensive...however, I got it at our Kroger (Fred Meyer) with a lovely coupon, so that might be coloring my memory)

 

[princessmom29]

Unfortunately, this is very outdated information. There are many car seats that go up to higher weights than 35 to 40 lbs. For example, my daughter's car seat (Sunshine Kids Radian XTSL) goes from 5 to 85 lbs (harnessed, not booster). However, that seat is kind of pricey, so the parents probably wouldn't want to buy it for such infrequent use.

OP, I would suggest asking your question on this forum: http://www.car-seat.org/ There are a lot of car seat safety techs that frequent that forum, who could give you very good suggestions.

As you said, the Radian , and every other high weight limit seat, is pricery. Well over $200. I don't know of a seat under $100 that will harness over 50 lbs. Do you? I don't think one exists.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

I just talked to the mom and she is probably going to get the Evenflo seat mentioned. I won't watch him when he's past the 50 pound mark probably so this seat should work just fine.

Thanks all for the suggestions! I'm going to be purchasing a Nautilus for my little one as soon as he outgrown the Triumph. I just love that seat...but I know she doesn't want to spend that kind of $$ for just occasional use.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Maybe you can share the cost with the mom, or if you may keep other children in the future, purchase one to keep for yourself.

You are so right that a two year old does not belong in a booster. We have the Nautilus and love it. It is one of the lower end 5 point harness boosters for over 40 lbs.

i know that you only have him in a car once in a while, but you never know what will have that one time. Not worth the risk.

 

[GraysMom]

Does anyone know the height limit on the Evenflo Maestro with the 5 point harness?

 

[tkitty]

I know that our WalMart had a seat for $69 that was up to 100#s. Not sure if it's a 5 point. Alson WalMart.com has some not found in stores. They ship to your closest store for free.