Britax BV RF tether HELP please!

[Elee]

Hi, we've really appreciated this forum for helping us with various car seat issues in the past. A few new questions just came up. We have a 2002 Lexus RX300 SUV. DS's Britax Boulevard sits RF in the center position.

(1) IS RF TETHER OPTIONAL?
We haven't tethered it thus far because we thought that most car seats don't have an RF tether option anyway. But if it's safer, then we'll definitely do it.

(2) HOW?
I've studied the Britax and Lexus manuals but haven't been able to figure it out. It seems that the tether anchors on the Lexus RX300 is in the back of the rear seats. I'm under the impression that you're supposed to tether the RF car seat to a forward position in the vehicle.

(3) Baby #2 (who should arrive in 6 months or so) will be in the Graco Snugride. Is there a configuration for infant vs. toddler that's recommended or felt to be safest? (I think that DS, who's now 2yo, 29 lbs, 33.5in, might be approaching the limits for RF by that time, so he'll probably switch to FF then.) With the BV being so large, is there enough room to place the Snugride and the BV side-by-side, still leaving one outboard seat open for an adult to sit?

THANKS in advance for your help!!!

[Stretchy Glue]

The tether is optional, but is an added safety feature not found on most seats. If you have it, use it.

You will need to look under the front seat. A good place is the track that the driver or passenger seat sits on, towards the back, so that the seat will not snag the D-Ring. You will need to use the D-ring but it's actually really easy in most cars.

I don't have pictures right now to show you, but I know someone else does and pictures explain it so well.

[lynsgirl]

Hi, we've really appreciated this forum for helping us with various car seat issues in the past. A few new questions just came up. We have a 2002 Lexus RX300 SUV. DS's Britax Boulevard sits RF in the center position.

(1) IS RF TETHER OPTIONAL?
We haven't tethered it thus far because we thought that most car seats don't have an RF tether option anyway. But if it's safer, then we'll definitely do it.

(2) HOW?
I've studied the Britax and Lexus manuals but haven't been able to figure it out. It seems that the tether anchors on the Lexus RX300 is in the back of the rear seats. I'm under the impression that you're supposed to tether the RF car seat to a forward position in the vehicle.

(3) Baby #2 (who should arrive in 6 months or so) will be in the Graco Snugride. Is there a configuration for infant vs. toddler that's recommended or felt to be safest? (I think that DS, who's now 2yo, 29 lbs, 33.5in, might be approaching the limits for RF by that time, so he'll probably switch to FF then.) With the BV being so large, is there enough room to place the Snugride and the BV side-by-side, still leaving one outboard seat open for an adult to sit?

THANKS in advance for your help!!!

1. Yes, tethering RF is optional, but Britax does recommend it and I personally prefer it :).

2. Your seat should have come with what is called a "D-ring" or a "tether connector strap." It is usually attached to the tether up in the pouch at the back/top of the seat. You wrap the D-ring around something that is immoveable/bolted to the vehicle frame. Something like a seat track or seatbelt stalk. Then you attach the tether to the D-ring.

3. Not sure off the top of my head if the BV will fit RF next to the Snugride (SR), but it's worth trying. If not, both of the kids will still be very safe outboard :).

[An Aurora]

This (http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/isakswings/ratetherrf.html) should help.

In an SUV, I would think you would be able to fit the Blvd and Snugride next to each other.

[Elee]

Thanks for the quick replies - you guys are awesome! My husband will try to get things hooked up this weekend. Thanks again!

[crunchierthanthou]

When you do find a spot, be sure not to over tighten the tether. It just needs to be taut, so that all the slack it out. It doesn't need to be so tight that it affects the recline angle. Overtightening has been linked to broken recline mechanism on Britax bases and can pull out the rip stitching of the energy absorbing tether.