tethering question

[tethering question]

I have a quick tethering question. Can I tether my son's forward facing car seat to the 3rd row tether? In order to do this, I would have to pass the tether between the seatback and seatcushion of the 3rd row seat to hook the tether onto the anchor which is located on the back of the 3rd row seat. My middle row seat in this van does not have an anchor. Thanks.

[azgirl71]

I am sorry, but you cannot do that. What vehicle do you have?

[SusanMae]

That does not sound like an approved method of tethering.

Have you checked your van's owners manual for all tether locations?

Susan

[joolsplus3]

Some vans only have top tethers in the third row and it IS acceptable to reach to the third row from the second. Mazda MPV I know is that way for sure. What van do you have, though? (Year, make, model)

[scatterbunny]

:yeahthat: to Julie. I had a Mazda MPV and you did, indeed, stretch the tether all the way to the third row anchors! Those ARE the approved anchor points for the middle row for the MPV, at least for a few model years (newer ones have their own middle row anchors).

What is the year, make and model of your van?

[azgirl71]

Some vans only have top tethers in the third row and it IS acceptable to reach to the third row from the second. Mazda MPV I know is that way for sure. What van do you have, though? (Year, make, model)

:yeahthat: to Julie. I had a Mazda MPV and you did, indeed, stretch the tether all the way to the third row anchors! Those ARE the approved anchor points for the middle row for the MPV, at least for a few model years (newer ones have their own middle row anchors).

What is the year, make and model of your van?

I was thinking the anchor sounded like it was on the lower part of the back seat. Thanks for the info :thumbsup:

[Unregistered]

I have a 2002 toyota sienna. The manual only lists approved anchor points as middle drivers side, and the left and right sides of the third row. The middle row anchor is on the floor, and the 2 back row tethers are located on the bottom of the seat back. My tether strap is not long enough to reach over the seat and then down to the anchor. I would have to pass the strap thru the seat. If that is not going to work, I don't know what I"m going to do.

[Jeanum]

As far as I know, Toyota doesn't allow top tethering to the third row from the second row in the Sienna, barring any documentation stating otherwise in your Sienna's manual. I don't see any indication it's allowed for the '02 Sienna in the LATCH manual.

If the third row vehicle seat behind the child restraint isn't occupied, you could consider top tethering to the unused third row seatbelt. Hopefully another member can post illustrated instructions for doing so. :)

[Unregistered]

As far as I know, Toyota doesn't allow top tethering to the third row from the second row in the Sienna, barring any documentation stating otherwise in your Sienna's manual. I don't see any indication it's allowed for the '02 Sienna in the LATCH manual.

If the third row vehicle seat behind the child restraint isn't occupied, you could consider top tethering to the unused third row seatbelt. Hopefully another member can post illustrated instructions for doing so. :)


Thanks. I did a search online and found a site that showed some examples. I'm running into problems tho. When I buckle in the lap and shoulder belt behind in the 3rd seat, it doesn't stay locked because too much seatbelt goes back in. The buckle thingy in the middle for the lap belt is open in the middle, so I cannot attach the tether to that. Would I be able to buckle the middle belt, pull it tight, and tether the seat wedding (on the side, closest to the car seat)? Does that make sense?

[Kat_Momof3]

what seat are you using (the child's seat)?? some seats have short tethers (EVENFLO), but the company will send longer ones to replace them if you contact them.

[Jeanum]

Thanks. I did a search online and found a site that showed some examples. I'm running into problems tho. When I buckle in the lap and shoulder belt behind in the 3rd seat, it doesn't stay locked because too much seatbelt goes back in. The buckle thingy in the middle for the lap belt is open in the middle, so I cannot attach the tether to that. Would I be able to buckle the middle belt, pull it tight, and tether the seat wedding (on the side, closest to the car seat)? Does that make sense?

I believe tethering to the webbing of a buckled lap-only seatbelt is another method of doing this. However, it sounds like you would be top tethering from an outboard second row position to the third row center lap belt, and I'm honestly not certain at what angle it might be acceptable. I believe you're supposed to utilize a seatbelt immediately behind the seating position where the child restraint is installed, rather than at an angle. However, I'm not exactly experienced with this method of top tethering and I'm hoping a more experienced tech will weigh in on this for you. :)

One other thought: Would shortening up the child restraint's top tether strap more prevent the third row outboard lap-shoulder belt from retracting to the point where it disengages the locking retractor mechanism? This could be a possible workaround rather than trying the lap-only belt.

[scatterbunny]

I was going to suggest what Jeanum suggested: shorten the tether strap on the carseat more so the seatbelt is lengthened. Also, using the lapbelt (either buckled or unbuckled, both work) could work as long as the tether strap does not have to angle more than 20 degrees (I'm 99% sure that's the limit on angle).