Apex LATCH weight limit?

[csma]

We are considering an Apex, etc. for DD to use in Grandma and Grandpa's car (Toyota Avalon). My understanding is that Toyota says to go by the seat manufacturer's recommendation for the weight limit for LATCH installation. Does anyone know what it is for this particular seat? I looked online at the manual and didn't see it. TIA!

[joolsplus3]

It doesn't have one listed. If you want to be very cautious and go by the general industry standard, you'll probably want to use the seatbelt for installing when your kiddo hits 48 pounds. I don't know why Cosco has no limit, maybe it's not governmentally required, and they figure the seat doesn't weigh very much, anyway, so it doesn't matter (I'm just speculating...I really don't know why they don't state an upper limit...)

[heyruthie]

I think it's really more about the vehicle than the CR.

I believe that there are a number of manufacturers out there whose anchors are only supposed to go up to 40 lbs--including my own car--Honda. According to the link below, many do go to 48 pounds, but enough only go to 40, and some (like Toyota) give no recs at all.

LATCH weight limits chart (http://www.saferidenews.com/pdfs/LATCHApp_B_pg105.pdf)

ETA: My DS is 42 pounds, so we decided to err on the safe side, and did a seatbelt install with his Apex, esp since our Honda manufacturer says the lower anchors are only for up to 40 pounds--even if they could probably handle much more weight and still be fine.

[joolsplus3]

LATCH hardware is basically universal, Honda just has the most cutthroat lawyers ;)

[csma]

Thanks for the info. Does it make anyone else nervous the Apex doesn't give a limit?

[joolsplus3]

Well, not ME, no... Those who don't do their research are bound to be protected by the fact that LATCH bars don't actually fail in real life crashes or in crash tests. (if they only really held those low weights, there would be warnings out the wazoo not to use them higher...you'd see it in the manuals, on the carseats, on the latch anchors themselves...)

:)

[csma]

Good call.:thumbsup: