Will a Britax Marathon Car Seat fit?

[cgilmer]

We have a 2006 Prius and are in the market for a new convertible infant-toddler car seat for our 7-month-old son, who will soon outgrow his Graco SnugRide infant seat.

I can get a special deal on Britax seats through work, and I've heard such great things about them, so I definitely want to get one of those - and I'd prefer to get one of the larger ones (Marathon, Decathlon, Boulevard) because they'll accommodate my son until he's 65 pounds. But I worry that these seats are so big that they won't fit REAR-FACING in the backseat of my Prius without making me or my passenger have to sit fully upright in the front seats!

I know I won't have a problem once I can switch him around to forward-facing, but that's not for another 6 months or so. Until then, I'd like us to be able to sit comfortably in the front seats!

So...long question short...do the Marathon/Decathlon/Boulevard seats fit well REAR-FACING?

Any and all advice/experience regarding where to install these seats (behind passenger seat or in center back) would be great too!

Thanks!

[the fish]

We have the Britax Roundabout which is smaller and it can fit rear-facing in the middle. The middle of the back is always the best place. You will need to find a place on the floor to anchor the tether tough, unless you want to go straight over the top with it.

[cgilmer]

Originally posted by the fish@Mar 22 2006, 02:00 PM
We have the Britax Roundabout which is smaller and it can fit rear-facing in the middle.  The middle of the back is always the best place.  You will need to find a place on the floor to anchor the tether tough, unless you want to go straight over the top with it.

[snapback]228675[/snapback]

hey fish,
i've never used a convertible seat before, only an infant seat, so i'm not sure what you mean when you say i'll need to find a place on the floor to anchor the tether. we're planning on using the LATCH system...

also, when you have the Roundabout installed rear-facing, does it interfere with the front seats at all? like, does it make it so that you can't recline the seats enough so that you're comfortable?

[the fish]

Too be fair, we installed it rear-facing to make sure it would fit during a test drive. Now that I own the car the seat is used forward facing so I really can't comment on comfort during long drive at my preferred seating position. Considering the rear legroom is more than most cars near its size, I think you'll find it comfortable. The Marathon is taller than the Roundabout, but that extra height should clear the seats anyway.

The tether I referred to is different from the LACTH attachments. In forward facing applications, the tether goes from behind the top of the child seat over the back of the rear seat to attach to the anchor on the back of the rear seat.

In rear-facing applications, it is optional to use this tether (check the instructions). In our minivan, the anchor for the tether is under the seat so we could run the tether in front of the seat to the bottom. In the Prius you would have to consider adding an anchor to the inside seat rail of either front seat if you want to have an anchor for that tether.

[stanleytylor]

The front rear facing seats will not interfere with other seats. Britax allows their seats to be installed with a rear-facing tether strap. If you do use the seat belt for installation the Marathon roundabout has built-in lock offs on both sides. The functionality of the Roundabout with LATCH is just about the best for any convertible car seat on the market.

[ewhanley]

I have a rear-facing Boulevard installed in the middle rear seat in our 2006. It is a rather large seat, but it does fit. If I slide the driver's seat all the way back, it does touch the Boulevard, but I typically have the driver's seat one click forward. As for reclining for comfort, this is a bit subjective depending on how far back you want/need the seat reclined to be comfortable. I have the driver's seat slightly reclined (it's not vertical, but not reclined very far either), and I am comfortable but ymmv. I should also mention that I use the latch system without the optional tethers. Hope that helps.

[kens]

Thanks ewhanley. That precisely answers the question I had in mind.

Were you able to attach yours via LATCH? I'm under the impression that, at least in the 2005 that we have, the Prius has no LATCH anchors appropriate for a center-position car seat.

[ewhanley]

Originally Posted by kens

Thanks ewhanley. That precisely answers the question I had in mind.

Were you able to attach yours via LATCH? I'm under the impression that, at least in the 2005 that we have, the Prius has no LATCH anchors appropriate for a center-position car seat.

The 2006 does have the LATCH system, and I am currently using it.

[snowdog650]

Originally Posted by cgilmer

So...long question short...do the Marathon/Decathlon/Boulevard seats fit well REAR-FACING?

Short answer shorter ... yes, a marathon will fit.

My 6-month old just graduated out of her infant seat, and I have the Marathon -- rear facing -- and it fits just fine.

[grantclooney]

I purchased the Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat. It is really comfortable for the kids to rest on while travelling. The Britax car seats are a bit costly than other models of car seats available and are available in wide range and quality.