"locking" seatbelts

[blessings567]

My van has the seatbelts where the buckle slides freely, but if you pull the seatbelt all the way out then it locks when slowly released back in. Is it acceptable to install per instructions and then also use the locking clip while the seat belt is also "locked?" This is how I have it as it seems to make the tightest install and makes me feel the best, but is it ok?


Also currently my 5yr old 45 lbs 45 inches tall is in a bpb booster. (It is a terrible booster and I am waiting for my Radian to arrive tomorrow - because of all kinds of curcumstances, me being unavailable due to terrible complications of pregnacy she was still in her 40 lb ff 5pt harness until just recently). However, while in this booster I have put her in and then "locked" the seatbelt to keep her still. Is locking the seatbelt while in a booster acceptable? I can't wait to get the radian, but if it does not fit I am thinking that a graco turbo booster is my only other option and I would really like her "locked" in if possible. (Nothing else would fit). (Also the seat does not have a tether anchor cannot retrofit). Any other ideas for her?

Since locking the seatbelt worked so well for her (I have never had this kind of seat belt before), I tried it on my 8yr old (80 lbs) and 10 yr old (90 lbs) and LOVED it (they hated it!). But it kept them still and in their seats properly. So I am really wondering if this is ok to do? (They are in no safety seats - their ears were over the head rests while in boosters in our old van, they would probably be able to use them again as the seats in the new van are much taller, but I am not sure they would go back).

Thanks!

[AdventureMom]

Usually automatically locking seatbelts like you have do not require the use of a locking clip. Locking clips are only advised when necessary. Do not use the two of them together. Choose one or the other :)

As far as locking the seatbelt on seatbelt kids and booster kids, that's fine. It's personal preference but does help keep some wiggly kids in place. So that's fine...

[blessings567]

[QUOTE=AdventureMom;192456]Usually automatically locking seatbelts like you have do not require the use of a locking clip. Locking clips are only advised when necessary. Do not use the two of them together. Choose one or the other :)

Hmm, Ok. But when I just "lock" the seatbelt on my rf infant carrier (soon to be replaced with some sort of convertable) it is not as tight. There is still a little room between where it needs to be and when it is locked. (I don't think it wiggles a whole inch, but it does move some).

[AdventureMom]

Hmm, Ok. But when I just "lock" the seatbelt on my rf infant carrier (soon to be replaced with some sort of convertable) it is not as tight. There is still a little room between where it needs to be and when it is locked. (I don't think it wiggles a whole inch, but it does move some).

One trick is get it as tight as you can, then unlatch the seatbelt, let the seatbelt retract a few 'clicks', then push with all your might to latch the seatbelt again. However, some folks run into problems with using the locking mechanism of the seatbelt with a rear-facing seat. Every time the seat bounces, or gets knocked, or the baby is lifted in/out, etc, the belt may retract a little more bit by bit, causing the seat to tilt. If you're not having that problem, then keep doing it the way you are. :thumbsup: But if it's tilting over time, then don't activate the locking retractor and just using a locking clip.

I really hope all of this is helping... I feel like it's 'information overload'! :)

[Defrost]

There seems to be a bit of disagreement about whether or not it's okay to using two mechanisms to lock the belt (in your case, a locking clip plus the belt's locking mechanism). I'm not sure about all the reasons some techs are against using more than one, but in your cause my concern would be that using both is giving you the false impression that the seat is installed correctly when it may not be. Of course, I can't tell simply from your description, but I do know from experience that this can happen.

Whether or not you decide to continue using both methods to lock the belt, you should get the seat in tight enough that there is less than 1" of movement at the belt path with only ONE locking method. Whether or not you then add the locking clip is up to you.

This is hard to describe, so I hope this makes sense - it's a matter of the two locking methods disguising the fact that either one alone is too loose. If it's too loose with one locking method, adding a second can make it seem like you've fixed the problem, but in a crash neither will work as well as it should.

Does that make sense?

[papooses]

What is the vehicle year, make, model?
What is the specific carseat?
What position in the vehicle are you installing: center, outboard, etc.?
Have you visited your local tech?

[blessings567]

What is the vehicle year, make, model?
What is the specific carseat?
What position in the vehicle are you installing: center, outboard, etc.?
Have you visited your local tech?

2007 Dodge Sprinter.

The car seat is a graco infant carrier, but needs to be replaced with a convertable car seat as child (my smallest triplet) is getting close to 20 lbs.

Position is first bench center. No other place to install it (all latch locations (there are 3) are used with remaining triplets and 3yr old ff). Also back bench is used for 5yr old, 8yr old, 10 yr old. (No latch systems there).

At the moment I am trying to figure out seating for all 5 children still in child seats, so I have not visited local tech yet, but will soon.