My vehicle says to use cargo hooks for top tethering.

[diaperjoys]

Would any of you techs have any hesitation about following these instructions? If there is some reason that I should be uncomfortable with the cargo hooks, then I want to know before I purchase a Regent!

Here's what the cargo anchor looks like:
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o88/diaperjoys/cargohookastetheranchor.jpg

And here is the underside of the vehicle at the same place. You can see that the bolt goes all the way through, and is reinforced.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o88/diaperjoys/undersideofcargohook.jpg

[diaperjoys]

Oh - I just noticed that my picture still shows the hook pointing up instead of down...someone corrected me on that yesterday, so it will be fixed.

[_Jessica_]

My Mom's (GMC)Jimmy manual says the same thing about using the cargo hooks.

[OwensMama]

Not a tech...

I think its a Chevy Thing. We have a 2003 Trailblazer and the manual for the car specifically says to use, what appear to be cargo hooks, as the tether anchors. However ours are located in the back of the trunk area, directly behind the seats. Here:

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e201/carseatgeek/IMG_3545.jpg

(the rubber mat is covering the lower portion of the assembly. and that Scenera is not installed BTW, lol)

[diaperjoys]

Yes, ours look like that too. Except we have just four hooks in the four corners of the cargo area, and we're supposed to use the ones all the way back by the doors at the rear of the vehicle.

Well, that makes me feel better about it. It is so contrary to mainstream "top-tethering" guidelines, that it is good to get the feedback.

Thanks!

[crunchierthanthou]

Yes, ours look like that too. Except we have just four hooks in the four corners of the cargo area, and we're supposed to use the ones all the way back by the doors at the rear of the vehicle.

Well, that makes me feel better about it. It is so contrary to mainstream "top-tethering" guidelines, that it is good to get the feedback.

Thanks!

I don't think there's any cause for concern. The top of the restraint is still most definitely tethered. Tether anchors for second row seats in most suvs and vans (not to mention many van third rows) are generally toward the floor. I would actually prefer this to the tether anchors located on the ceiling of my Subaru Outback.

[Amery523]

I have a 99 honda cr-v and the manual says nothing about where to tether (just to contact a honda dealer). We tried out the Britax Marathon in the car today at Babies R Us and I was wondering if I could tether it FF using the cargo hooks behind the seat, on the floor, very similar to the pics posted in this thread above. Any car seat techs know this one? Thanks!

[snowbird25ca]

I have a friend with a 1999 blazer and her vehicle manual instructs using the rear cargo hooks as top tether anchors. If the vehicle manual identifies those as cargo hooks, I have no hesitation about using them as such. :twocents:

I have a 99 honda cr-v and the manual says nothing about where to tether (just to contact a honda dealer). We tried out the Britax Marathon in the car today at Babies R Us and I was wondering if I could tether it FF using the cargo hooks behind the seat, on the floor, very similar to the pics posted in this thread above. Any car seat techs know this one? Thanks!

The vehicle manual will definitely say if there are already tether hooks existing and where they are. You may need to get them installed. I would NOT use a cargo hook unless the manual told you to.

[UlrikeDG]

The pre-'01 CR-Vs did not come with factory installed tether anchors. However, you can have anchors installed in both of the outboard seating positions in the ceiling near the rear window. The part number is 82410-SE3-C01. The part kit should run $13. Installation costs vary. Your owner's manual should contain detailed instructions on how to install the anchors, which you may be able to do yourself.

You cannot use the cargo anchor as an alternative anchor point.

[Patriot201]

My dad's 2002 Explorer has three definite tether anchors behind the second row seat and then instructs the user to use the two cargo anchors behind the third row as tether anchors for the third row seat.