Regent and a 99 Windstar

[Tiffanie]

I'm not sure I'm understanding this right. I just read through the Regent manual and it says not to install this seat in a "non-locking ELR"? My seat belts don't lock unless in an accident and the sudden force (ELR I think I was told). Does this mean if the seatbelts don't lock prior that I can't use the seat? Or am I having a blonde moment :o

I wanted to install the seat with the lap belt in the third row seat (I have two boosters back there for other kids I pick up at the bus stop). Is this possible?

[LuvBug03]

You have to use a locking clip. I think the manual is worded kind of strange in that area. Britax OKs the use of a locking clip with the regent, but does not supply one. You can call britax and have them send you one if you dont already have one.

[keri1292]

Your belts do lock...at the latchplate. I have the same van! Also, you can't use a locking clip on a lap belt only anyway.

[LuvBug03]

Your belts do lock...at the latchplate. I have the same van! Also, you can't use a locking clip on a lap belt only anyway.

oops somehow I missed that you wanted to install with the lapbelt :o

Since keri has the same van she can answer how the belts lock.
Most lapbelts will lock in some way, so you should be covered.

[scatterbunny]

I also have a 99 Windstar, and a Husky (same as Regent). It'll install fine in the lapbelt, your belts lock at the latchplate (lapbelts AND lap/shoulderbelts).

You won't fit two boosters outboard and the Regent in the center of the third row, though. :( The Regent is 21.5 inches wide. I can't even fit a 17 inch wide carseat in the middle with narrow Britax Parkways outboard. Heck, I even have a backless Britax Starriser Comfy that adjusts widthwise down to about 13 inches, and IT barely fits next to the 17 inch carseat in the center. :(

So if you put the Regent in the middle of the third row, lapbelt-only, it will essentially make the third row a one-seater.

You could put the Regent outboard in the third row (installs well there with both short belt path and long belt path) and fit a booster or other carseat outboard in the other third row seat, not using the center lapbelt.

Or you could put the Regent in a middle row seat and re-think the third row options.

Or you could consider a Sunshine Kids Radian for that third row center lapbelt, since I really think it's your only option for a harnessed seat to fit with two boosters outboard.

[scatterbunny]

Oy, just remembered my horrific time trying to install the Husky/Regent using short belt path in the middle row captain's chairs. :( Do you have a middle row bench or captain's chairs? If captain's chairs, good luck. :( The darn long plastic-encased buckle stalks make short belt path (required for kids over 40 pounds) impossible.

[Tiffanie]

Oy, just remembered my horrific time trying to install the Husky/Regent using short belt path in the middle row captain's chairs. :( Do you have a middle row bench or captain's chairs? If captain's chairs, good luck. :( The darn long plastic-encased buckle stalks make short belt path (required for kids over 40 pounds) impossible.

Well that thought just terrified me! :eek:

Thanks for all your help. I finally remembered last night that they lock and attempted to install the monster outboard. My neighbors found it more comical watching me climb over the captain's chairs with Britax's in them already to get the monster in the back seat :whistle: But I did it! :thumbsup:

[scatterbunny]

So you got it installed outboard in the third row? If so, awesome! :D And that won't cause any issues with your preferred seating arrangement?