What kind of car seats?

Shouldn't really be an issue, I know I'm at the point where my truck will outlast this stage of carseats so if I know I won't use the seat for a few days I take it out. There has been zero permanent compression in 5 months of use. I keep the seat in 85% of the time and it's cinched in super tight.

My other car we had when are kids were born and basically conceded that it was going to happen and aside from those crappy pads they sell for underneath the seats we didn't do anything to prevent it. That car has leather seats and the couple times I have removed it for cleaning there are impressions I doubt will ever fade - for that car, it is what it is. I only feel differently about the truck because the carseat will only be around another 1-2 years and I plan on having the truck for longer than that.

 

Get a recaro if you can afford it also get a seat cover to protect the seat from those horrible indentations that all car seats leave. I have the same as these and just double layer that back piece and I get almost no indentation from either my 8 year old or 6 year olds booster

 

Make sure that's their intended usage. Many car seats have this type of belt but they are only intended to prevent a tossed object in case of a car crash while the seat is not in use. Proper use of a seatbelt is usually intended in addition of the latches. I'm not stating this is the case with your specific car seat but you may want to refer to your seat manual just in case. We have multiple Recaro's and ours state the following for those latches, below is an example but for a booster. Always good to double check though since its our kids. I also recommend Recaro.

 

I have the Thule Urban Glide and used it with the Chicco KeyFit Air. Love the stroller, and the Chicco is easy to move between cars with the interchangeable base. The Chicco fits well in my truck and my wife's Crosstrek. We looked into Bobs and Burley running strollers but went with the Thule because it was significantly lighter than the others and the setup/breakdown is super easy. Plus I get deals on Thule products, so that kinda helps.

You'll have to get the adapter to use the stroller with an infant car seat. And be advised that the stroller will become very top heavy with the car seat and baby strapped in. It becomes much more stable once the kid is big enough to ride in the stroller seat.

I am currently researching what convertible seat to get as my daughter is beginning to reach the limit of the KeyFit.

 

Both of these... I don't use the protector in my truck because i don't have leather, but we use it in the wife's audi and it prevents the indentations, and helps keep some of the crap organized that is inevitably in the car. The Recaro is so much easier to adjust and tighten than any of the others we have had. Check Amazon and woot for good deals on them.

We have two of these and they just stay in the cars: https://www.amazon.com/RECARO-ProRI...ro+performance+ride+convertible+car+seat&th=1

 

There is some misinformation in this post. LATCH is for the child not the seat, it is even built into the name: LATCH = Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren.

Any car seat used today should have a LATCH system (car seats do expire), and any car manufactured after Sept 1st 2002 is required to have to LATCH anchors. They are used for car seats in lieu of a seatbelt, but either can be used but both should not be used together. More info here: https://www.thespruce.com/latch-seat-belt-install-car-seat-293711

That image you posted just pertains to an unoccupied booster seat to prevent it from being a flying object in a collision. I've personally never seen a booster seat (obviously they are out there) with latches and in that case it would only be restraining the seat not the child (hence unoccupied).

LATCH anchors also have a weight capacity of combined child + seat = 65lb for rear facing and child + seat = 69lb for forward facing. If in excess of that weight the seatbelt should be used instead. Also make sure to use the top tethers which are behind the seats in the truck (kind of a pain to get to w/ the seat in).

There are a few safely websites that have all of this information, this one is pretty well put together:

http://thecarseatlady.com/latch/

I'm not trying to say you were wrong, I just spent a lot of time digging into this when are first child was born. Really the bottom line is everybody should read the owners manual for the vehicle AND the seat they are using, and never buy a car seat used, you don't know if it's been in an accident and they are like bike helmets, single collision use.

 

This was my intended message and not meant for misinformation, essentially ensuring you read the provided information for your specific seat and follow the guidelines they provide for installation.

 

Regarding protection of the rear seats and foam, I always keep a beach towel or ratty old blanket under my kids seats. No need to buy anything fancy. It protects the seat fabric and form, but more importantly protects against stains. Kids are filthy, well at least mine are, and despite a no food in dad's truck rule they still create a mess wherever they go. A few time a year I take out the car seats and find all sorts of junk and debris that gets under and behind the car seats.

 

k

I have the same rule, hasn't happened in the Taco yet but wait for the inevitable throw up in the seat

It's right up there with shitting in the bathtub.

 

I bought Carhartt covers all the way around. The SR5 fabric has a ridiculously difficult texture to clean.

Totally related.

Taking kid to dr apt in his infant seat. I get it out of the truck at the doctor, and I smell something. WTF dog shit! Where?!?!?!

Apparently on the bottom of the infant seat. And also now apparently on my truck seat where I rested it for a moment. At home, I must have put his seat down on some in the mow strip when I was getting ready to load him up.

So here I am trying to clean up dog shit before the doctor apt before work...

DADDYHOOOD!