No LATCH limits???

[becca011906]

Ok i posted about this before, but didn't have this kinda info... i called Land Rover for the 4th time today while cleaning, moving, reinstalling my car seats, i asked to speak with someone who was a suprvisor, they said they would send the question to an investigation team since i had called so many times and gotten so many answers, and he would call me back with the 'offical answer'... well 2 1/2 hours later he returned my call with interesting news. they make their LATCH with NO upper limits, they exceed all standards for the system, and can be used even for an adult restraint system if it was LATCH capabile.... WOW! Is that really aloud by NHSTA??? i though all vehicals had to set a limit??? So then i called sunshinekids to see what they had to say b/c in thier manual it states that you can only use the LATCH system up to 48lbs, and they said i could use it as long as the vehicle LATCH system is aloud, they only put that in there b/c most cars only can use the system till 40-48lbs...
I'm really happy b/c this means the radians install will ALWAYS be so so easy for me, with seat belt it only works in the middle seating possition (no latch there either) and then i have troulbe getting allies rfing seat next to it. But can this really be so?

[LuvBug03]

so you talked to someone at SKJP and they said you could use the radian's latch to 65lbs? and you talked to LR and they said they have no limit so you can use it to 65lbs?
wow... I wonder if the latch has been tested with a dummy that large. Id be asking SKJP if they put a 65 or larger dummy in it with latch only just to see how it did. Then Id ask LR if they tested the anchor with a 65 or larger dummy the same.
Im very skeptical. I know its possibly for a system to hold that much if built for it, but Id want to hear it from them that they tested it. And maybe get it in writing from both just incase.

[becca011906]

ok thanks, i needed someone else to tell me what i was thinking... I'll be calling back again monday i guess! I have a while to 48 anyways, abby is still about 10lbs away from there, so what maybe like 4 years the way she grows! LOL

[twokidstwodogs]

That would be interesting to know. My Subaru has 60 lbs LATCH limits, and it was my understanding that I could use my Britax seats with LATCH up to that point (though it's not like any kid hits 60 lbs in a Marathon)!

[becca011906]

I sent an email to sunshine kids explaining it in lots of details!!! hopefully i'll hear back soon, and let you know what they have to say about the LATCH and 65lbs testing, ect....

[LuvBug03]

That would be interesting to know. My Subaru has 60 lbs LATCH limits, and it was my understanding that I could use my Britax seats with LATCH up to that point (though it's not like any kid hits 60 lbs in a Marathon)!

The britax manual says to use the seatbelt after 48lbs. So even though your vehicle might go higher they only approve it(via the manual) to 48lbs, unless you have called and gotten permission for after that.

Whenever you get permission from a company to go against their instructions or any given rules, always get it in writing incase there is a dispute. If they refuse to give it to you in writing then assume they might be wrong and just dont risk it.

[jen_nah]

I agree I wouldn't go off someone's word. I would want proof and it in writing. Because you know good and well if you use it past it's limits and it fails they will not take blame. If you go against the manual you take on the liabilty.

[jen_nah]

That would be interesting to know. My Subaru has 60 lbs LATCH limits, and it was my understanding that I could use my Britax seats with LATCH up to that point (though it's not like any kid hits 60 lbs in a Marathon)!

With your Britax you can only use the LATCH to 48lbs even though your vehicle exceeds that weight. You shouldn't have any trouble with seatbelt installation on your Britax. The Radian is known for difficult seatbelt installations.

[becca011906]

I wondered what Britax seat, since the raidan and britax use the same kinda latch hoods (safegaurd kind) but radians are both hooked together on one piece of webbing vs the britax has two attached to the seat so they are both ajustable... i'll be sure and post when i hear back from them, i'll be sure and get varification of using latch over 48 in writing before abby is over that limit... I'm not sure what i'lll do if i can't use it past 48lbs but i guess i'll have to find a way to get it seat belt installed in the middle ...

[becca011906]

Ok i got a response fromt he email i sent Land Rover today... :(



Dear Becky,


Thank you for contacting the Land Rover Customer Relationship Center.

We appreciate your inquiry. Please be advised that Land Rover is compliant with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations which is 48 pounds for the latch system. The information is also available at www.FMVSS.com.


Have a nice week.

Sincerely,


Lia xxxxxxxx
Land Rover North America

So guess that sucks!!! Not sure what to do now... :( I was 1/2 thinking of getting a second radian for allison to use ffing, and sell the uptown and scenera, now i just don't know... i can only get a good install with the radian in the middle seat of the middle row.... :( i'm so upset that i was given the wrong info when i called, that's just awful.

[joolsplus3]

She's only 44 inches and 38 pounds now? You think she'll still fit in the RN by height by the time she's 48 pounds? I know my dd is a stringbean, but she's not even 48 and is 49 inches tall and her shoulders are over the top slots (her ears are under the seatback, but she does look rather silly in such a small seat (she's 7)

:)

[LuvBug03]

that stinks... good thing you asked again though.

(you may want to edit out names)

[AdventureMom]

Regarding Britax and the LATCH system, here is what the Marathon manual says:

"Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with
children weighing more than 48 pounds (21 kg). Refer to the
vehicle owner’s manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer for
the maximum weight rating for their LATCH anchors. Unless
specified otherwise by the vehicle manufacturer, assume a 48-
pound child is the vehicle LATCH anchor limit."


So, if my Subaru is rated to 60lbs, then I'm fine, right? Just checking... :p

[LuvBug03]

no I would stop at 48lbs. Id take that like they have the "once the top slots become necessary the child may use the seat to the top of ears..." thing. It sounds like one thing but they mean another lol! Id take that as stop using the lower latch anchors at 48lbs unless your vehicle says 40lbs, and if it doesnt assume 48lbs is the limit. It is possible when it was written they never expected 60lbs anchor limits...

Id play it safe and quit after 48lbs. More than likely it would hold after that, but Id much rather use a seatbelt that I know is tested to a much much higher weight.

[joolsplus3]

Regarding Britax and the LATCH system, here is what the Marathon manual says:

"Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with
children weighing more than 48 pounds (21 kg). Refer to the
vehicle owner’s manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer for
the maximum weight rating for their LATCH anchors. Unless
specified otherwise by the vehicle manufacturer, assume a 48-
pound child is the vehicle LATCH anchor limit."


So, if my Subaru is rated to 60lbs, then I'm fine, right? Just checking... :p

Call Britax and ask. I'm under the impression they would not make LATCH connectors that wouldn't hold a seat up to the seat's stated weight limit, and they are warning you because the car's limits are so much lower...and I think the language of the manual seems to make the car's limits the boogeyman here, but the only way to know for sure is to call and ask them.

:)

[jen_nah]

Regarding Britax and the LATCH system, here is what the Marathon manual says:

"Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with
children weighing more than 48 pounds (21 kg). Refer to the
vehicle owner’s manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer for
the maximum weight rating for their LATCH anchors. Unless
specified otherwise by the vehicle manufacturer, assume a 48-
pound child is the vehicle LATCH anchor limit."


So, if my Subaru is rated to 60lbs, then I'm fine, right? Just checking... :p

What I take from that phrase is their LATCH limits are 48lbs but check your vehicle owner's manual to verify their weight limit. Remember there are vehicles (Honda, some VW's) that have a 40lb LATCH weight limit. So, They are saying which ever is less that is the weight you follow. So, In your situation you follow the car seat manufacture 48lb limit.

If you call Britax and they okay to 60lbs get it in writing b/c if not and you do it and something happens. They are going to say prove we told you. It will be your word against theirs.

[LuvBug03]

get it in writing b/c if not and you do it and something happens. They are going to say prove we told you. It will be your word against theirs.

just dittoing this again to stress how important it would be to get it in writing.

[becca011906]

She's only 44 inches and 38 pounds now? You think she'll still fit in the RN by height by the time she's 48 pounds? I know my dd is a stringbean, but she's not even 48 and is 49 inches tall and her shoulders are over the top slots (her ears are under the seatback, but she does look rather silly in such a small seat (she's 7)

:)

I'm hoping she will... she's 44inches but still on the second to the top slots for hight, she has a very very short torso and is all legs, and with radian having the new recomendation that they top slots can be used as long as the middle of the ears are below the top of the shell she might have a while left... i'm more worried about allie using the seat, i guess b/c she's already 32-31 pounds and will hopefully use the seat when abby out grows it, but i'll have to wait to see how they both grow, if allie keeps growing the way she is, i'll need another high harness seat b/c abby isn't ready for a booster, we had to use her spare the other day, and i was on her non stop, hold still, sit back, dont move, sit still, and that was with the ARL engaged and my second car doesnt' even have ARL, it has locking latch plates, definatly dont' trust her in that... LOL