Sorry for the car seat question. Thought it would be ok to ask since nextfits are popular in this board.
Do you find it is super hard to tighten? I feel like I have to pull so hard and it's not ever tight like the keyfit. Does it get easier over time? We just installed it yesterday. (RF in a 2014 Outback if it matters)
Yes. It's awful. I hate it. I have the new one, with the soft strap protectors. I can never get it tightened. I just never use that seat anymore because it's awful.
Post by winemaker06 on Dec 12, 2015 21:52:24 GMT -5
Both of ours were quite difficult at first. Have been using them for over a year now and they have definitely improved. I don't have a comparison to other seats but we have definitely liked them more over time.
Post by noodleskooze on Dec 12, 2015 21:55:13 GMT -5
Are you talking about tightening the seat itself or the child harness?
I have major trouble with the child harness, and it's getting worse. I'm actually going to call Chicco about it, I think. One side is always a bit looser than the other no matter what I do.
When I tighten it, I slip a wrench or screwdriver through the loop at the end of the strap and use that to pull. I get a much tighter install that way.
Post by nextbigthing on Dec 13, 2015 2:55:43 GMT -5
I could've written this post! We just installed ours last weekend and thought the same thing (the key fit was so easy!).
I do think pulling straight instead of at an angle to the side help, I've been pushing on the seat with one hand and pulling the strap with the other and it helps get some leverage too, but it shouldn't be this hard.
I just adjusted the headrest yesterday and the angle is at 1. The shoulder pads are kinda weird, definitely liked the key fit ones better. But I'm going to look more into it and see if any of these tips help
Are you talking about tightening the seat itself or the child harness?
I have major trouble with the child harness, and it's getting worse. I'm actually going to call Chicco about it, I think. One side is always a bit looser than the other no matter what I do.
Same here. One side of the child harness has more slack than the other no matter what I do. Which is crazy because the child harness straps are enclosed behind the back of the plastic. You can't access them like you can on the KeyFit. So how the hell did they become uneven?! I'm not happily with my NextFit frankly, which sucks because I loved the KeyFit.
I don't find tightening the straps too hard but I agree it is harder to tighten than the key fit.
A few things I've noticed: -The straps seem harder to tighten depending on the height of the head rest. I can adjust the height slightly (usually lower) and it gets easier. -I always pull slack from the bottom near DS's butt. I find it hard to pull this slack out only tugging on the main strap. I used this same method with the key fit. -When I take DS out I loosen both sides equally. I haven't had trouble with the sides becoming uneven.
I don't have a problem (it's way easier than the graco I have) but I do put the chest clip all the way down, tighten and then adjust the chest clip back up.
This is what I do. I never realized it was that hard, but I do notice my parents struggle with it a lot because they don't do this when they put her in.
I do think because of the sides and depth of the seat the angle to pull is awkward.