Latch manual help please! (re tether anchors)

[supermommyof2]

My sis & BIL need to find a used minivan with 2 tether anchors in the 3rd row (3, preferrably 4, total). They're on a tight budget so I don't think they're looking newer than '05. I know Ford only has 1 in the 3rd row (as of the '06 rental we had last year) and I don't have a clue about any of the others. Is it possible to add anchors to any of these? (Is that info even in the Latch manual?)

Hmm, while I'm asking...I have an '06 Sienna (CE AWD) and would love to add another anchor in the 3rd row ds. That would give me 2 positions to put the Radian with a good SB install I could ask Toyota, but I'd much rather ask you guys (I'm sure I'll get a quicker answer too :rolleyes:)

Thanks for your help!

[crunchierthanthou]

Unfortunately, you can't add to any vehicle that already came with tether anchors installed.

I think the 2001-2002 Chevy Venture and clones had multiple third row tethers and Ford had more before 2005. If no one has posted a list for you by tomorrow morning, I'll go through my LATCH manual to see what I can find. I'm beat tonight.

[Defrost]

I know for sure the Kia Sedona has 4 tether anchors and 4 lower anchors, and the Mazda 5 has TAs in all four rear seating positions (LAs in the center row). The Mazda 5 has only been out two years (though it might still be in their price range since it's fairly cheap to begin with).

[crunchierthanthou]

Here's a post with a list of new vehicles with multiple third row tether anchors, but some meet the criteria as far back as 2002.

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=23900

[CDNTech]

There's info in this thread on mini-van's and another link to used vehicles between 2000 - 2004 that have 4 or more top tethers...http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=30622&highlight=most+latch+positions

[joolsplus3]

Odysseys from 2000-2004 come with 3 standard, you can add two more outboard in the third row really easily and have 5 total. (It may be *the* exception to the usual 'can't add more' rule, I think?)

:)

[crunchierthanthou]

See, I'm not sold on that. I know it comes with one anchor that you can use in any of the three positions. Does that extend to being able to use more than one at a time? Do we know that the rear sill is reinforced so as to withstand the force of two or three tethers in use at once? I'm guessing yes, but has any actually been told it's okay?

[supermommyof2]

Unfortunately, you can't add to any vehicle that already came with tether anchors installed.
This really bugs me. Tethering is mandatory here so I don't understand why they aren't standard in every seating position (except the front, of course :)) I know that some older (pre-mandatory ta) vehicles have pre-drilled holes, but I thought there were some that didn't but could still have holes drilled and anchors put in :confused: What would happen if somebody couldn't afford a new vehicle with more ta's and the manufacturer refused to add more? They would be ticketed for not having a seat tethered and if they were in a crash, it's the child who would suffer the most.

Our Sienna has anchors to hold the 3rd row bench down when it's stowed (and that's a heavy seat) so I don't understand why a tether anchor can't be added.

Thanks everyone for the help!