rearfacing seat (toddler) for use in various cars

[Unrulysun]

I don't think this is covered on the various rearfacing threads here. Apologies if it is.

We don't have a car. the car she'll go in most is her gps which is a Skoda. I'm a bit concerned as it's already a PITA getting her baby seat to fit in with what must be the world's shortest seatbelts. We also do Streetcar rentals from times to time.

I've been going round various websites (as has been mentioned by others on other threads) but basically it needs to fit into any car and do it using the seatbelt fitting.

Also does anyone know which carseat Which recommend as I'm too tight to sign up ?

:)

[TruthSweet]

A TWE might well be a good bet as:-

It doesn't have a foot prop which would exclude cars with storage compartments,

It has two belt routings to accommodate different seat belt lengths,

It has a tall back/top slots so can be used for a long time as it allows for quite a tall child to use the seat,

It goes 9-25kg so can take a larger child than most of the rfing seats (most go 9-18kg),

It's light so easy to cart around,

and best of all if you really can't get it to fit safely in a car rfing you can switch it around and install ffing (which is a doddle!). Yes, it's not as safe as rfing by a long stretch but it's certainly better than no seat. If it really won't install ffing (and I can't imagine why it wouldn't) you can even use it as a high back booster from 15kg though I wouldn't unless there was no other option.

[Unrulysun]

I am consistenly amazed by the knowledge of Mumsnet [hwink]

Have looked for 2 Way Elite and come across loads of Multi Tech stuff including the fact that Volvo do it cheaper. I suppose that won't work for us? Can't even find the TWE on the Britax website!

[TruthSweet]

TWE is a Scandinavian import (made for Britax in UK then shipped to Scandinavia then imported back to UK ).

You can get one at the Milton Keynes In Car Safety Centre or import one from CarSeat.Se.

The MT isn't as versatile as the TWE as it has a foot prop in rfing mode and only ff to 18kg though it does make a good booster for 15-25kg children. It is a £60 cheaper though

[aswellasyou]

You probably won't have an issue with seatbelt length. My sister's car has a few seats with really short seatbelts but all three seats we have fit really easily. The BeSafe is more likely not to fit because the belt runs through the prop that lies against the seat it's sitting on.
The TWE is only £200ish so I'd probably go with that too.

[Unrulysun]

Thank-you wonderful Mumsnet experts. :)

God knows why it's so difficult to find the information online. There are loads of threads on MN about it and, like,, we is the muvvers innit? How can Mothercare etc not be smelling the money?

[TruthSweet]

Because if they suddenly start to sell seats that are 5 times safer than the seats they normally sell and they aren't a new thing (rfing has been done in Scandinavia since 1960's!) then they look bad. Better to just pretend they don't exist and the rfing hippies will go away (my thoughts on the matter anyway).

[Unrulysun]

Probably true Truthsweet :( especially re the hippies going away if we all PRETEND THEY'RE NOT THERE

Now I e-mailed the helpful people at Carseat.se about the TWE and they said the Hi-way would be better as it's smaller. Anyone got any feedback?

[nicm]

i have a hi way 2 and a twe and the twe is definitely quicker to move about. they are both light and the hi way might actually be lighter but it is a smaller seat so won't last as long heightwise even though it too goes to 25kgs. the hi way has a support leg too that cannot be used in a car with underfloor storage unless it reaches to the bottom of the compartment. do you live near belfast or milton keynes as they both stock these seats and you could look and decide for yourself?

:)