Weight Range (RF): 4 – 50 lbs
Weight Range (FF): 22 – 65 lbs
Height Range (RF): 49 inches or less (see below)
Height Range (FF): 49 inches or less (see below)
Seat Width: 19.625 inches
Seat Depth: 12 inches
Seat Weight: 18.4 pounds
LATCH: Yes
The Good – Highest extended rear-facing weight and height limits on the market; Unique 4-position leg extension tray for added rear facing comfort; Steel reinforced frame; InRight LATCH System; 2 cup holders; machine washable cover; significantly cheaper than other extended rear-facing seats.
The Bad – No lockoff for seat belt installation; Whilst machine washable, seat cover is difficult to remove and reattach.
The Bottom Line – This is a great seat for those looking to have their child in the rear facing position for as long as possible. Not only does it have a market leading rear-facing weight limit but, unlike other models, it also has a very generous maximum height limit (49 inches) which means that you might actually get to use the seat rear-facing for the full 50 pound allowance. It lacks some of the features found on its more expensive competitors, but its well worth considering, especially if you have a tight budget.
Check the latest price of the Graco Extend2Fit here.
Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Seat – The Key Features
#1 Child Height and Weight Limits
Rear-Facing
One of the most attractive feature of the Graco Extend2Fit seat is that it allows you child to remain in the rear-facing position for much longer than the minimum period recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
The AAP advises parents to keep their children in rear-facing car seats until they are at least 2 years of age (provided that they remain within the seat’s height and weight limits), and preferably as long as possible. This advice is based upon research that demonstrated that rear-facing is as much as 5 times safer than forwards-facing.
The Extend2Fit has a 50 pound maximum limit for rear-facing and, importantly, also has a very generous 49 inch maximum height limit for rear-facing. There are other extended rear-facing seats on the market, but they are either much more expensive than the Extend2Fit and/or have lower maximum height limits.
The 49 inch maximum height limit is subject to the proviso that the top of your child’s head must also be at least 1 inch below the gray harness height adjustment handle.
Since children very often outgrow their sets by height before weight, a generous maximum height limit makes it much more likely that your child will be able to use the seat for the full potential of the seat.
The Clek Foonf and Clek Fllo seats, for example, also have a 50 pound weight limit, but only a 43 inch maximum height limit. This might not be too much of a problem if your child is likely to be on the short and heavy side, but if they are more likely to grow to be tall and slim its probably going to limit their use of the seat in the end.
There is not much point in having a 50 pound seat weight limit if the child outgrows the height restriction on the seat when they only weight 40 pounds!
Forwards-Facing
Although it is possible to use the seat in the forwards-facing position from 22 pounds and upwards, it is highly recommended that you keep your child in the rear-facing position until they actually outgrow the height or weight limits for that mode of use.
You child must also be at least 1 year old before being able to use the seat in the forwards-facing mode.
Remember, just because you can switch them around to rear facing according to the manufacturer’s instructions, doesn’t mean that you should!
The maximum weight limit for forwards facing is 65 pounds and the maximum height limit remains 49 inches.
You MUST NOT use the foot extension tray in the forwards-facing position. It is strictly for rear-facing mode only. You MUST, however, use the top tether whilst forwards-facing at all times.
#2 Leg Extension tray – provides an extra 5 inches of leg room
To deal with the issue of older children complaining about having restricted leg space or the fact that their legs have to dangle over the edge of the seat whilst riding in the rear-facing position, Graco have introduced a leg extension tray, which has 4-positions and provides a maximum of 5 inches of extra leg room.
Note: One of the 4 positions is when the extension tray is fully retracted, so its actually only 3 usable positions. Any child over 40 pounds must use one of the extended tray positions.
#3 Multiple Recline Positions – 6 Options
The Graco Extend2Fit comes with 6 different recline positions, but there are some rules about when you can use them. As ever, please make sure to double-check the instruction manual prior to use, but here are a couple of things to remember when starting out.
Firstly, note that until your child is older than 3 months of age the recline angle indicator must show the ball to be fully inside the blue zone.
After 3 months, you should find a suitable recline position that complies with the rules contained within the instruction manual. I’m not going to list them all here, because this review is not intended to replace the manufacturer’s safety instructions and they are pretty simple to follow if you just spend a few moments reading the manual.
Whichever recline position you choose, you must at all times ensure that no more than 80% of the base of the child seat overlaps the edge of the vehicle seat. Fortunately, Graco has provided a visual aid on the side of the car seat to help you comply with this rule.
The seat recline position is adjusted simply by pulling or pushing the gray handle situated under the front of the seat.
#4 InRight LATCH Connectors
The maximum weight for safe use of the LATCH connectors (whether rear-facing or cowards-facing) is 45 pounds and, after that point, you must re-install the seat using the vehicle’s seat belts.
The Graco InRight LATCH system is designed to enable you to install the seat quickly and simply.
There is not much more to say about this issue other than to refer you to the instruction manual for further installation information.
#5 No Re-thread harness with 10-position headrest
The Extend2Fit seat comes with a 10-position adjustable headrest and a no re-thread harness. Rethreading harnesses every time your child grows to the next stage can be a really time-consuming chore for parents, but the Graco Extend3Fit’s harness simply adjusts automatically when the headrest position changes.
The headrest adjustments are made using the gray plastic handle at the top of the seat (See videos below for demonstration).
It’s not quite as smooth to operate as other more expensive convertible seats, but then you shouldn’t be adjusting the headrest very often and for many parents its just not worth paying extra cash simply to get a slightly easier time adjusting headrests occasionally.
Graco also provide a handy storage space for the harness buckle when its not in use. This is designed to make it easier to place you child into the seat. Without this (or similar) buckle retention system, parents often find themselves delving into the seat trying to fish out the buckles or having to wrestle with the straps in order to pull them to the side prior to placing the child in the seat.
You can see the harness buckle storage pockets on the inside edges of the seat below.
Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Seat – The Full Specification
The Graco Extend2Fit seat specifications are:
- Helps protect rear-facing infants from 4-50 lb. and forward-facing toddlers from 22-65 lb.
- 4-position extension panel provides 5″ additional leg room
- Up to 50 lb. rear-facing allowing your child to ride safely rear-facing longer
- 6-position recline helps keep your child comfy
- 10-position headrest adjusts easily for your growing child
- Simply Safe Adjust™ Harness System is safe & simple
- Engineered & crash tested to meet or exceed US Standard FMVSS 213
- Rigorously crash tested to meet or exceed U.S. safety standards
- In addition to meeting or exceeding all applicable US safety standards, the Extend2Fit™ convertible car seat has been side impact tested for occupant retention solely with the built-in 5-point harness system
- Fuss Free Harness Storage to get baby in and out easily
- Steel reinforced frame provides strength and durability
- InRight™ LATCH system for an easy, one-second LATCH attachment
- Easy-to-read level indicator for hassle-free installation
- Integrated, dual cup holders help keep your child’s drink close
- Seat pad is comfortable and machine-washable
- 10-year lifespan
- FAA approved
Video Review of the Extend2Fit Seat
My Verdict
If your budget cannot stretch to a $400+ convertible car seat, but you still want to be able to rear-face your child for as long as possible, the Extend2Fit is probably the seat to go for.
Where to Buy the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Seat
Check Best Price of the Graco Extend2Fit.
Read User Reviews of the Graco Extend2Fit
Find the Graco Extend2Fit Seat in Canada
Safety Information
After purchasing any child car seat, you should always read the User Manual thoroughly before using it. It is also advisable to visit your local Fire Department or NHTSA Child Car Seat Inspection Centre to ensure that the seat is definitely suitable for your child’s specific requirements and that you have installed it correctly. These services are usually provided free of charge.
You can find your nearest NHTSA Centre here.
Do You Need More Help?
If you need any further advice or assistance whatsoever, please feel free to contact me and I will do my very best to help.
If you have any other feedback about my “Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Seat Review”, please just leave a comment in the box below or send an email to kristian@kidsafetyfirst.com
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