Regent+Rental Car= install disaster- PLEASE help!

[lincolnparkafterdark]

We needed to take my Toyota Sienna into the bodyshop today (it was hit in a parking lot, unoccupied, no one hurt)....the rental agency provided me a Dodge Caravan, don't know what year. I have 2 Regents and a Keyfit.

I could not for the life of me install the Regents. The vehicle seatbelts don't have a locking mechanism. How are we supposed to install that seat in a vehicle with no belt locking mechanism? I got NO WHERE with the LATCH install, couldn't even get it from moving less than 6" let alone less than 1".

I had to reschedule the repairs until I can find a rental vehicle that will accomodate my carseats. They don't have a Sienna available (this place had only one single minivan of any brand at their disposal). I am at a loss and I really have a big love-hate relationship with these Regents. Forget about even getting to the recline bar issue (we haven't gotten there yet, was going to deal with that after the repairs were done)

Can anyone help me with this?

[Connor's Mom]

Why can't you use a locking clip on the seatbelts?

[UlrikeDG]

If it has LATCH, it definitely has lockable seatbelts. Lockable seatbelts became mandatory before LATCH was released.

Can you find a tech to help you IRL?

[CDNTech]

The Dodge has lightweight locking seatbelts. It's actually really simple to install and you're going to want to kick yourself after you read this, but...

All you do is install the seat with the belt and then put your weight in the seat and pull all the slack out of the lap portion of the seatbelt. The lightweight locking latchplate will hold the lap portion tight and the shoulder portion will still move freely. Hope that helps!

If you are installing in a captains chair, recline the seat two notches back from upright... makes child restraint installations easier and is actually required for installing with LATCH. (We have an '03 Dodge Grand Caravan)

[lincolnparkafterdark]

Why can't you use a locking clip on the seatbelts?

yes, that would make sense, now that I know what a locking clip is. :) thanks

[lincolnparkafterdark]

The Dodge has lightweight locking seatbelts. It's actually really simple to install and you're going to want to kick yourself after you read this, but...

All you do is install the seat with the belt and then put your weight in the seat and pull all the slack out of the lap portion of the seatbelt. The lightweight locking latchplate will hold the lap portion tight and the shoulder portion will still move freely. Hope that helps!

If you are installing in a captains chair, recline the seat two notches back from upright... makes child restraint installations easier and is actually required for installing with LATCH. (We have an '03 Dodge Grand Caravan)

ha, of course! I have arranged to try this whole thing again now this afternoon. I hope I get it this time, no fun installing carseats in the 90+ heat!

just to confirm, this kind of lightweight locking thingy is acceptable for installing the Regent?

[Jeanum]

If the latchplate holds the belt securely after you cinch it up, then it's fine. If it seems to slip/loosen, here's a tip I've seen suggested by techs for installs with lightweight lockling latchplates: flip the male end (latchplate end) of the seatbelt around half a turn before buckling.

[jdchic3]

Twist it one whole time (like 360*) or half a time (like 180*)?

[Jeanum]

Sorry to be vague - half a twist to flip the latchplate around according to the post in this other relevant thread: http://www.car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=188033&postcount=4 I'll go back and edit to clarify in my earlier post.

[jdchic3]

I already know that my Jeep has locking latchplates. They drive me nuts which is one of the reasons I love Britax so much (aside from the super comfort!). Anyway, is it okay if I do the twist thing with my Graco snugride base?

[CDNTech]

Lightweight locking latchplates are perfectly acceptable for installing Regents... or any other child restraints for that matter.

To stop the lap portion from slipping (if this is happening... it doesn't happen with all seats), you flip the male end of the seatbelt 180 degrees.

Slipping is due to the lap and shoulder portions of the seatbelt not being parallel. The locking feature only works when the lap and shoulder portions are parallel to each other. Some seats with low bases or no bases (ie Radian) OR long buckle stalks can cause the lap and shoulder portions not to be parallel to each other, when this happens you flip the male end 180 degrees which forces the lap and shoulder portions to be parallel to each other and stops the slipping.

If the male end needs to be flipped and will not buckle into the female end, you simply flip the female end 180 degrees as well and then they will buckle together no problem.

The Regent should install really well in this van with no need to flip the buckle, especially if you are using the long belt path.

The other thing you can do (thinking the snugride base here) is twist the female buckle stalk up to 3 full 360 degree turns to bring the buckle down further towards the crease of the seat. This will also effectively make the lap and shoulder portion of the seatbelt parallel to each other and there will be no flipping of the male end of the seatbelt needed.

Hope that helps.

[UlrikeDG]

My '97 Saturn SW2 had locking latch plates. It took literally 30 seconds to get a Roundabout rock solid. I didn't even have to kneel in the seat!

[Melizerd]

ok maybe I missed it somewhere but I have two questions.

Was the seat in your vehicle during the accident? (or does it not matter for a parked car?)

[lincolnparkafterdark]

interesting that someone commented that LBP would be great since in the 3rd row there was nowhere near enough belt length to install. I did get a great install with the SBP (emphasizing I have not yet tried the recline bar)

I haven't tried to install my second seat yet, I may not have to.

Yes, these seats were all in the van when it was hit....it was very minor damage (mostly paint scraping off but some very superficial sratches to the side rear bumper and wheel. I hadn't thought I'd need new seats......please say I don't.

[UlrikeDG]

Britax seats do not need to be replaced if the crash is minor. Britax recommends that use of a child restraint be discontinued if it has been in a severe crash. We further advise of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) position that it is not necessary to replace a child restraint after a minor crash. A minor crash is one that meets ALL of following criteria:

* The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;
* The vehicle door nearest the child restraint was undamaged;
* There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;
* The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND
* There is no visible damage to the child restraint.

If your Britax child restraint has been involved in a severe crash, it may be eligible for consideration for a new one of the same or similar design. See the Voluntary Crashed Restraint Exchange section of our website for more details.

[Melizerd]

yeah I'd say that was a minor crash. I just thought I'd ask because you said you had to take it in.

I wouldn't replace mine for a paint scrape.