[fisbaby]

So totally off our normal subject .... has anyone installed a convertible car seat in an suv with leather seats? I recently turned my little guy around and for some reason the seat is tilting to the side. I got it tight enough now that all of the bottom is against the seat but it still tilts to the side where the seatbelt buckles in. I don't know if the seat belt is causing it or b/c the tether on the back goes a little to that side. I had thought about moving so one of the side seats but I know that's not as safe and I do have side airbags. I have Mercury Mountaineer if that helps.

Any suggestions??

[finallyamom0310]

The only suggestion I have is go to the local police station or hospital to one of their car seat saftey classes/checks. We did that when I turned DD's seat around and found I didn't do it right. Best thing I could have done.

[Fran27]

I agree with the police check... Here you have to make an appointment and it takes days but I'm planning on doing it first thing once we put the new car seats in.

[mommieof2cuties]

I have side airbags and all, and I have kids carseats installed in all places of my suv. Go to the police station have them install it than don't take it out again! The safest carseat is one that is installed once and left in!

[oceanica]

It takes a college degree to figure out those darn things!!

[emtb79]

If you installed it with the seat belt instead of the latch that will cause a lean towards where the belt buckles everytime. It has to do with the shoulder portion pulling up back into the retractor. If you install with the latch it should help. I have an escape which is the Ford equivalent. What kind of car seat model and brand is it and where are you trying to put it?

[fisbaby]

It's the Evenflo Triumph Advance. The problem is that in the Mountaineers (7 seater) the middle part of the bench seat doesn't have the latch system, only the outer two seats. I thought about hooking the opposite latch just to pull it back but wasn't sure if I should or not.

[Beth.]

Originally Posted by fisbaby

It's the Evenflo Triumph Advance. The problem is that in the Mountaineers (7 seater) the middle part of the bench seat doesn't have the latch system, only the outer two seats. I thought about hooking the opposite latch just to pull it back but wasn't sure if I should or not.

No, you don't want to use the latch connectors from the other seats. It's not safe.

We have the same issue in our Escape. We decided to install the seat on the passenger side of the bench seat so we can use the latch. I think it is so much easier to get a good install with the latch versus the seatbelt. For me, it's more important to get the best install than to have the kiddo in the middle. Others may disagree.

From what I have read, the Evenflo Triumph Advance is a good seat and one of the easier ones to install. Maybe a good car seat technician will be able to help you install it safely in the middle position.

Others have suggested police department or fire department. You can also check with the OB department at a local hospital (some OB nurses are car seat techs as well) or with your county health department. Just make sure whoever helps you is actually a certified car seat technician.

[emtb79]

The middle seat is too narrow to be able to fit the seat properly. The middle is the safest if it can be properly installed. I have the same seat in my Escape, I had an Explorer and I have found it is safer to just put it behind the passenger seat and use latch.

[marythemom]

We used tightly rolled up towels along the back while our seats were rear facing because our seats tended to tilt toward the back of the car seat. I bet you could us a small towel or washcloth under the side that is lower to raise it up and even it out.

[fisbaby]

Thank you all so much for your help! I think I'll make another trip to our county health department and have the lady check it out again. She checked it rearfacing and I think thought I was kind of silly but oh well!

[sheababy]

Make it easy on yourself-go to the fire station. They have certified car seat installers and will not only do it for you but show you how to do it.

[DPline]

Originally Posted by marythemom

We used tightly rolled up towels along the back while our seats were rear facing because our seats tended to tilt toward the back of the car seat. I bet you could us a small towel or washcloth under the side that is lower to raise it up and even it out.

Please don't put anything under the seat. It is ok in the seat bite for a rear facing seat, but you can not get a secure installation with something under the seat base.

[NicoleP80]

How old is your child? What is the weight limit in the carseat to keep him rearfacing? The safest way for your child to be is rearfacing. If the carseat rearfaces to 35lbs you should keep your child that direction. My DD was rearfacing until she was 2 yrs old.

I would use outboard seats if there is a tilt. Remember to read in your manual how long you can use the latch for in that type of carseat. You can also go SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. Safe Ride Helpline and get LOTS of useful info there on installation.

Finiding a certifiied tech is your best bet though