Top tethers

[melniemi]

Since top tethers are mandatory in Canada and you have many of the same vehicles, is it possible to get the tether anchor kit from Canada and install it here?

2002 Chevy Venture LT 3rd row

Yes, I am still trying to get another anchor in my van:mad:

[snowbird25ca]

Refresh my memory about the top tether anchors. Your dealer isn't able to get the parts?

You can buy the tether anchor hardware at toys R us and I think even wal-mart around here. The generic tether anchor hardware is fine if you have predrilled holes - which your vehicle should have.

Are you thinking of just doing it yourself?

I know if you're in Canada Britax will also mail out a tether anchor kit free of charge, so you could try calling them and asking.

[CDNTech]

2002 vehicles come with pre-installed tether anchors. You can not add extras in addition to the ones already installed... even in Canada. :(

[supermommyof2]

I heard that TA's cannot be added to vehicles that already have them, but that's just what I heard from somebody here.

If this is true, I find it ridiculous! IMO TA's should come standard in every rear seating position where a CR can be installed, esp in a country where they're mandatory!

[snowbird25ca]

2002 vehicles come with pre-installed tether anchors. You can not add extras in addition to the ones already installed... even in Canada. :(

Did all of the 2002 Ventures have them? It's possible it was pre-LATCH or the vehicle is exempt...

[CDNTech]

Did all of the 2002 Ventures have them? It's possible it was pre-LATCH or the vehicle is exempt...

Yes, they did. According to the LATCH manual 01 - 05 had some kind of combination of built-in child restraint and top tethers to equal the minimum 3 (ie 1 built-in plus two top tethers).

The third row came with 1 top tether located on the tail gate sill for the middle position UNLESS you had the 50/50 split bench... then it came with top tethers in both outboard positions for a total of two top tethers in the third row.

ETA: Too lazy to go pull out my other manual, but I'm pretty sure TA's have been mandatory to be pre-installed in vehicles here since 1999. LATCH became mandatory in 2002.

[melniemi]

Yes, they did. According to the LATCH manual 01 - 05 had some kind of combination of built-in child restraint and top tethers to equal the minimum 3 (ie 1 built-in plus two top tethers).

The third row came with 1 top tether located on the tail gate sill for the middle position UNLESS you had the 50/50 split bench... then it came with top tethers in both outboard positions for a total of two top tethers in the third row.

ETA: Too lazy to go pull out my other manual, but I'm pretty sure TA's have been mandatory to be pre-installed in vehicles here since 1999. LATCH became mandatory in 2002.

Yes, I am the lucky one who got the single center top tether for the third row. It is located directly between the center and passenger side positions so I would be fine using it outboard. But that leaves driver's outboard. My son has taken to turning his whole body sideways in his booster when he gets mad at his brother who sits across the seat from him. So he can turn his back to him. Regardless of him being 7, he isn't mature enough to sit straight. So I want to get him a nautilus or regent to go along with the husky I just bought (or am working on:)) But I really want it top tethered.

Chevy said there is no sound place to install an anchor in the floor of the van. I can't find a split bench without spending upwards of $300 and buying new seats is enough in itself. I'm thinking that there must be a solid sheet of metal in the floor of the van. I need to stop by the mechanics and make them look. Then I could use EZ On heavy duty anchors, right?

[CDNTech]

Actually, according to the LATCH manual you can only use that that 3rd row anchor for the center position. It mentions it being off-center and *specifically* states it can *only* be used for the center position. Sorry for more bad news. :(

[melniemi]

Actually, according to the LATCH manual you can only use that that 3rd row anchor for the center position. It mentions it being off-center and *specifically* states it can *only* be used for the center position. Sorry for more bad news. :(

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=30284
I posted about it here and figured it would be okay? Would you not use it?

[CDNTech]

I remember that thread and I'd probably still be comfortable using it off-center... but both manuals state that you can not. :shrug-shoulders:

[melniemi]

I remember that thread and I'd probably still be comfortable using it off-center... but both manuals state that you can not. :shrug-shoulders:

I hope it's ok cuz I just bought a husky:o

[Airforcemomma]

Anyone know where the rear split bench seat TA's are in a 2007 Montana? All I have been able to find is 2 hooks that fold down flat to the van floor or can be lifted up. I thought they were cargo hooks. The other seats in my van are reinforced and have the tether anchors on the bottom back of the seats. I assumed the rear bench would be the same.

There are latch anchors on both outboard rear seating positions so not sure if these hooks on the floor are TA's or not. Vehicle manual isn't very clear about it and my other issue is installing child seats center seating Cpt's chairs with side mounted airbags. Can child seats be installed on Cpt's chairs with internal side mounted airbags? Or, do I have to install both childseats on rear bench outboard positions?

[CDNTech]

You only have a single tether anchor in the center seating position in the third row. It is probably similar to Melniemi's. Check out this thread where she posted pictures of hers...
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=30284

The LATCH manual just states "Tether anchor rear of seat back".

What you're describing is cargo hooks and those should *not* be tether anchors.

It is perfectly fine to install child restraints with side curtain airbags. It is only the frontal airbags we worry about (so no front seat ;)).

[Airforcemomma]

You only have a single tether anchor in the center seating position in the third row. It is probably similar to Melniemi's. Check out this thread where she posted pictures of hers...
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=30284

The LATCH manual just states "Tether anchor rear of seat back".

What you're describing is cargo hooks and those should *not* be tether anchors.

It is perfectly fine to install child restraints with side curtain airbags. It is only the frontal airbags we worry about (so no front seat ;)).
Actually the side airbags I am not sure about are mounted inside the Cpt's chairs, same as what you would have for the driver and front passenger. They are not physically mounted to the vehicle interior they are inside the Cpt's chairs and deploy out of the side of the seat if you were struck in a side impact.

[Airforcemomma]

I just had my husband go out and get the manual for my van and after reading through the child restraint section it says that you can not install a FF child seat in either outboard positions on the 3rd row bench seat. There is only 1 TA for the rear seat and it is for the center position only. That poses a big problem for me because I also babysit a 3yr old 4 days a week that is FF in a Radian 65 (48lb version) and can not have the Cpt's chair behind the driver in the vehicle when I have 3 seats installed because there is no access to the rear seats without moving 1 of the Cpt's chairs forward. Which is impossible to do when there is a child seat installed with the vehicle belt.

I'm wondering if I can have the dealership install 2 more tethor anchors for the rear outboard positions.

I am taking the van to the dealership tomorrow morning for warranty work that needs to be done. They will have my van for 3 days and perhaps they will be able to add the TA's for me then.

[QuassEE]

DH cleaned the storage room and my LATCH manual has been missing since--but I'm sure someone will post back with an answer as to whether or not it's possible to install additional anchors. Usually it's not, in newer vehicles...

Having said that--I know a lot of parents have had the same dilemma, and have simply resorted to putting RF children in via the rear hatch of the van. I do this every so often in my own van when I need to transport six or seven children.

-Nicole.

[hipmaman]

DH cleaned the storage room and my LATCH manual has been missing since--but I'm sure someone will post back with an answer as to whether or not it's possible to install additional anchors. Usually it's not, in newer vehicles...

I'll read through the responses and check my manual tonight when the kids are sleeping.

[tcottawa]

I think it is up to the car manufacturer if you can install another one, but there are usually ALREADY anchors in all the places they have tested for anchors (I am in training now and someone asked this).

[CDNTech]

Basically if your vehicle is newer than 2002, tether anchors can *not* be added.

TA's can *not* be added to the '07 Montana per the LATCH manual.

If you install with LATCH, can you flip/move the captain's chair forward for access to the third row?

Otherwise, I've been known to climb between the captain's chairs to get to the third row and buckle kids... bit of a pain in the butt, however it works. ;)

[Airforcemomma]

That's a little disappointing to hear. I tell you , if I had known about all the problems I would have with child restraints in this new van I would have bought something different. It has been nothing but a huge headache trying to find a seat that will fit properly and a way to get all 3 seats in without having to climb seats to buckle the kids in. Right now I have 2 seats installed on the rear bench outboard positions and tethered to what I thought were the tether anchors ( cargo hooks) and 1 seat installed on the Cpt's chair in the middle with the other middle Cpt's chair removed to access the seats in the back. So both rear seats need to be uninstalled and anchored properly in the center and I guess we're going to have to put the other Cpt's chair back in to move one child seat back to the middle. Who would have thought this would be so complicated. But, I would much rather be safe then sorry. I really wish we had CPS tech's on the base. Considering the number of military families on base with young children, it would be ideal to have a car seat clinic at least every couple of months. Thanks for all the info and replies, I had no idea my kids seats were tethered incorrectly.