Britax Boulevard Tether Questions

[jda2]

We just installed a Britax BLVD in our 2007 Honda CRV, RF in center rear seat and I'm a bit confused about the tether. The Honda manual says that the tether point for the center seat is the one located in the ceiling of the cargo area in the very rear of the vehicle - similar to the illustration on p22 of the Britax manual labeled "Rear-facing Locations (Australia)". So, my questions:

1) How should the tether straps sit at the top of the carseat - around the sides of the seat (see photo - green arrows), or over the very top edge (see photo - pink arrows)? The illustration in the manual appears to show the tether straps going around the sides of the seat, and the text doesn't specify.

*edited to remove photo*

2) I don't quite understand the purpose of tethering the top of the carseat to the rear of the car - it seems like it would be better to tether the top of the carseat to the floor. (My reasoning for this: the LATCH secures the carseat from one direction, it seems the tether should secure it from the other direction rather than pulling the seat in the same direction as the LATCH anchors.) The Britax manual does have info on how to tether to the floor, or something bolted to the floor (like a leg of the front seat) - would this be better, or should I stick with the Honda recommended tether for the rear center seat?



Any input is much appreciated!

[crunchierthanthou]

The way you have it (green arrows) is correct for the Australian method.

Autstralian and Swedish methods work in different ways to stabalize the top of the carseat (obviously). The lower anchors or seatbelt won't really keep the top from moving in either direction. Tethering toward the back of the vehicle reduces downward rotation. Tethering toward the front of the vehicle reduces rebound. One isn't necessarily better than the other. Some recent data suggests that Australian may perfom slightly better, but I find it cumbersome. There is some debate over whether rf is truly beneficial. Personally, I believe it is and prefer to use the Swedish method.

As for using the Honda approved tether anchor- that almost certainly applies to ff tethering only. RF tethering is so rare (currently only two brands allow it in N. America), that the vehicle owners manual likely won't address it.

[jda2]

Yeah, I forgot to mention that I'm in the USA, I don't know if that matters - I figured the Australian method and Swedish method were mentioned in the manual as they're the recommended installation methods in those respective countries. There's no recommended USA method, though...

I do find the Australian tether cumbersome. Maybe I'll try the Swedish way instead. Just curious - is it worth using the tether at all- does the tether really make the carseat significantly safer in RF, or is mostly for FF?

[crunchierthanthou]

You have the US manual for a US seat. The names just signify where the method originated. Britax recommends using the tether at all times (including rf). I do think it is worth using it, especially for the additional stability it may provide in certain types of crashes.

[joolsplus3]

Yeah, try "Swedish" (you aren't the first to be confused, maybe they should call it 'towards the front of the vehicle' or 'towards the back of the vehicle' to prevent unneeded pondering about the situation...). That's what the 'tether connector strap' is for that was on the tether hook when you first took it out of the pocket is for...you tie it around the back leg of the front seats in the CR-V and clip the tether to it... no need to tighten very hard, just get the slack out, and you're done. It prevents a considerable amount of side and rear movement in side and rear crashes, and may be very beneficial for preventing injury to larger toddlers, in particular :)