NOTE : Product prices, availability, ratings and save money information are accurate as of the date/time indicated on post time (as seen right bellow the tittle) and are subject to change. Any price, ratings, availability and save money information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Graco is a very popular brand of youth gear from infants until your kids are ready to sit and secured with their own seatbelt. Their car seats are also affordable and reliable such as Graco Extend2Fit Vs TriRide that can be used for years before you may have to get another seat. While similarly convenient, these seats are not the same and in comparison we can use the TriRide for longer so for those considering getting one of them, let’s see what they can offer here.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- What are the Car Seat Types
- What are the Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide
- How the Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide Look Like
- How are the Installation of Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide
- How are the Fit of Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide
- What else Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide can offer
- Graco Extend2Fit Vs TriRide
Car Seat Types
As a parent we are worrying about lots of things and the kids safety is our top priority. This is why car seats are necessary to install if you will be transporting them using the vehicle and it is mandatory as well in various cities or countries. The function of a car seat is to help protect the passenger in case of a crash or sudden impact happens to the vehicle. It is like the seatbelt but with some added features for the children’s growing body.
Car seats are made according to the installation and weight or height range. Chances are your kids will be able to use a seatbelt properly around 11-12 years old or can be faster depending on their height and weight. The car seats in general can be installed in two ways; rear facing and forward facing. Rear facing is used first and two types of car seats are installed facing the rear of the vehicle which is an infant car seat and a convertible car seat.
Infant car seat is what we used first as a parent to contain the infant or newborn baby. Many parents may buy them along with the stroller because they are usually sold in a set as a travel system. The infant car seat is also smaller and faster in terms of usage because they have the lowest weight capacity and height. Once the baby can be fitted in a convertible seat, parents can start to use the more convenient system and up to several years later.
The convertible car seat can be installed both rear and forward facing and also have the widest weight and height range. Usually the weight range for rear facing is up to 50 lbs. before the kid has to sit facing forward. Parents may want to move to forward facing quickly but it is recommended to keep the kid in rear facing as long as possible or until meeting the weight or height limit because rear facing installation is safer when it comes to facing impact.
The last seat parents have to buy for the children is a booster seat whether it is a high back or backless booster and as the name suggests. It is meant to boost the fit of the children’s body for the seatbelt to end up on the right part. Unlike front or rear facing seats, they are secured using the seatbelt directly and usually come with a seatbelt routing slot to help the fit across the shoulder, chest, and thigh.
| Graco Extend2Fit | Graco TriRide | |
|---|---|---|
  |   |
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| Product Dimensions | 19.2 x 25.2 x 22.1 inches | 20 x 19 x 23.25 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 19 pounds | 17.2 pounds |
| Best offer | Check price | Check price |
About Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide
Choosing a car seat should be hassle free when you know what to look for on the unit and it is quick to shop based on the fitting range or height and weight range. The car seats sold in your country also have to meet the standard safety required for it to be properly working and each country may have different requirements. The easiest way to shop is probably checking what the other parents are going with because chances are you may like them as well.
For those with a favorite brand already, we can try looking into their collection because many stroller companies also carry a variety of seats to match with your lifestyle. Talking about car seat companies, one of them is Graco and we are sure many parents have been familiar with this company for quite some time since they are also offering great strollers to transport your baby or toddlers when being active out there. Not so surprisingly, they do have more than plenty of car seats to choose from.
Depending on the weight, height, or age of the children, we can use these simple factors to reveal what ideal seats to buy. For those with small babies or toddlers, the Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide are two ideal options that parents can opt for. Both of them are convertible car seats meaning we can install them both facing the rear or front depending on the height and weight limit. What’s different is that the latter is a 3 in 1 seat.
Graco actually released several different versions of Extend2Fit like in our Graco Extend2Fit Vs Extend2Fit 3 in 1 but the model we have today is the basic seat. In short the 3 in 1 variant is similar to TriRide with booster mode, there is TrueShield version with added feature and 3-in 1 function, as well as 4Ever Extend2Fit which comes with a better installation system. In comparison between Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide, the booster mode on the latter will be the main difference.
Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide Design
Different car seats and manufacturers can have different expiry dates so it is wise to see when the seat is made and how long we will be using them. As for Graco, their seats including Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide are going to expire 10 years after manufacturing date. The two are convertible seats with decent weight but TriRide is lighter in comparison. The widest width of these seats are about 20 inches more or less and a width of 13 inches for the shoulder.
The construction seems robust and they are made with a good plush foam to support the comfort. The seats are mostly made of hard plastic including the construction and base. They come with adjustable base and height as well as infant padding for smaller babies. In comparison, the TriRide seems just slightly thinner, especially on the arm rest than Extend2Fit. Additionally, these seats come in various different shades such as Davis and Clybourne above.
Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide Installation
Moving further, let’s see what Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide can offer starting from the most important part which is the installation system itself. In comparison to higher-end series from the companies or other car seats, we do think it is far from hassle free. You can install them using LATCH or belts like any other seats but they are not extremely complicated as well; you will need to open the seat to see the installation path and adjust it when needed.
The slight difference is that Extend2Fit allows for a 4 recline position when in rear facing while TriRide only featured 3 levels of adjustment; the rear and front recline are labeled clearly as a guide. For front installation we can add tether whether installing with LATCH or seatbelt. Similar to the rear facing, the Extend2Fit has 3 levels of front facing while TriRide only has 2 additional levels.
Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide Fitting
Next for the fit, both Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide are also kind of the same to each other and small babies can start using the seat with the proper installation and insert or padding to improve the fit when needed. The rear facing should fit the baby and toddler until 50 and 40 lbs. respectively while front facing will fit the kid until they are 65 lbs.; the same for both seats. For installation with LATCH, the weight limit is 45 lbs. for front facing.
The main difference between these seats is that TriRide can be converted into a high-back booster once the children’s weight exceeds 65 lbs. or can be used faster when needed starting at 40 lbs. while for the height it is up to 57 inches with the headrest extended. Depending on the kid’s weight or height, they can reach the time to use the booster faster and usually kids around 7 years old will start to move into booster seats.
Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide Features
Both Graco Extend2Fit and TriRide are good seats with very little additional features to consider. The price point is what makes many parents interested in these seats in the first place since they are quite affordable. The installation is also fairly easy but some parents may struggle with their vehicle. The basic features such as cup holders are present on both seats and in addition the Extend2Fit comes with an extension for the feet that can be useful in rear facing mode.
Graco Extend2Fit Vs TriRide
The seats are more similar than different based on the ease of use and product qualities. The main difference will be on fitting because TriRide is a 3 in 1 car seat which means it can be converted into a booster seat once the kid is tall enough to require a taller seat and wear a seatbelt. The other differences are reclining positions which are slightly more varying on the Extend2Fit along with additional features and thicker foam.
Conclusion
NOTE : Product prices, availability, ratings and save money information are accurate as of the date/time indicated on post time (as seen right bellow the tittle) and are subject to change. Any price, ratings, availability and save money information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The decision is all yours based on which seems to fit in the lifestyle the most but for parents who plan to make the seat last as long as possible, we do recommend getting the TriRide 3 in 1 seat for what it can offer. Moreover, it is currently more affordable while being lighter too.