Installing Boulevard in '05 Montana

[Unregistered]

Hello!
I've searched - but can't seem to locate an answer to this question!

We have an '05 Pontiac Montana. I need to install the Boulevard forward facing, and I'd like to use the LATCH system. (This system is new to me!!!). I struggled this weekend, trying to attach the top latch to the anchor on the seat back. The clip (on the car seat strap) doesn't fit in the hole on the back of the seat. Does that make sense??

Also, it seems that there would be quite a gap between the back/bottom of the Boulevard, and the actual seat. The vehicle seat bottom seems to tilt down a bit - which causes the Boulevard to not sit in there quite right.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can offer!

[Airforcemomma]

Hi, I am not a tech but I own a 07 Montana with 2 Marathon's installed. Marathon basically has the same overall shell/base as the Boulevard. I found the best way to attach the tether anchor to the back of the seat was to turn it around so you are attaching it backwards. It should easily attach to the anchor , can make it a little more difficult to remove, but still not too bad. My marathon also sits slightly off the vehicle seat. The front of the base of the marathon is nicely squished in to the vehicle seat while the rear of the base is slightly raised off the vehicle seat.

I might be wrong about this, hopefully one of the tech's can chime in on this , but I don't believe the rear of the base being slightly raised is an issue. My DD's marathon is like that, yet it has a very solid install and doesn't move at all. If I try to move the seat, the whole van will shake.

I can take pic's if that will help you.

[An Aurora]

No, you can't attach it backwards. It needs to be clipped so that you see the back, solid piece of metal, not the other side.

I have a 2001 Chevy Venture, which is the same thing as a Montana. All of my bucket seats have tether anchors on the back of the seat, and they are totally a PITA to get attached. Here is what I do: route the tether under the headrest, loosen it allllll the way, and then flip the vehicle seat forward. Then you can access the TA to get it attached.

Some seats will have a bit of a gap because of the shape of the vehicle seat vs the shape of the car seat. Check your owner's manual to see if you can install the Blvd with the vehicle seat in a different recline setting to see if that helps.

Did you switch the LATCH connectors around from RF to FF?

[Unregistered]

OH, boy. What does this mean?

"Did you switch the LATCH connectors around from RF to FF? "

I'm afraid to explain exactly how I have my seat RF - I think it is correct, but I have a feeling I've done something wrong! There is way more to this LATCH system than I realize! I think it would make me physically sick to think my baby has been unsafe!! So - I won't go there!!!

They didn't have this fancy LATCH system with my other two kids! I feel so old!!!

[crunchierthanthou]

An Aurora has some good advice for attaching the tether. The platic plates on the back of Montana/Venture seats are nice in everyway except accessing the tether anchor.

Sometimes the back of the shell won't be flat against the back, but the bottom of the base should be flat against the vehicle seat. To acheive that, you can recline the seatback while you tighten the belts (latch or seatbelt), then bring the seatback upright when before you tighten the tether. You may also need to lift the headrest or play adjust placement on the vehicle seat (further from or closer to the seat bight).

[Airforcemomma]

No, you can't attach it backwards. It needs to be clipped so that you see the back, solid piece of metal, not the other side.

I have a 2001 Chevy Venture, which is the same thing as a Montana. All of my bucket seats have tether anchors on the back of the seat, and they are totally a PITA to get attached. Here is what I do: route the tether under the headrest, loosen it allllll the way, and then flip the vehicle seat forward. Then you can access the TA to get it attached.

Some seats will have a bit of a gap because of the shape of the vehicle seat vs the shape of the car seat. Check your owner's manual to see if you can install the Blvd with the vehicle seat in a different recline setting to see if that helps.

Did you switch the LATCH connectors around from RF to FF?
I didn't realize it made a difference which way the hook goes through the anchor. No matter how we tried to do it, the only way I could get my tether hooked to the anchor was to turn it backwards. They're really screwy tether anchors. I actually have all my seats installed that way.

So, I can't do it that way??? Should I change them all??

[An Aurora]

OH, boy. What does this mean?

"Did you switch the LATCH connectors around from RF to FF? "

I'm afraid to explain exactly how I have my seat RF - I think it is correct, but I have a feeling I've done something wrong! There is way more to this LATCH system than I realize! I think it would make me physically sick to think my baby has been unsafe!! So - I won't go there!!!

They didn't have this fancy LATCH system with my other two kids! I feel so old!!!

No biggie :) The manual doesn't go into detail at all, so I thought I would mention it. Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieCaEakwJos) is how to switch them.

[Defrost]

OH, boy. What does this mean?

"Did you switch the LATCH connectors around from RF to FF? "

I'm afraid to explain exactly how I have my seat RF - I think it is correct, but I have a feeling I've done something wrong! There is way more to this LATCH system than I realize! I think it would make me physically sick to think my baby has been unsafe!! So - I won't go there!!!

They didn't have this fancy LATCH system with my other two kids! I feel so old!!!

LOL I understand the feeling! LATCH still feels "fancy" and "new-fangled" to me, too. :D

So, the carseat has been RF, but you're turning it FF now? It's quite possible you've been using it correctly - the LATCH anchors usually come all set up for RF, so you don't have to change them until you turn the carseat FF.

If you look at your LATCH connectors, you'll notice that one of them says "Driver's side." That's because LATCH connectors have an "up" and a "down." When you turn the carseat FF, you wind up with the "driver's side" LATCH anchor on the passenger side, which means it'll be upside down.

So, you have to switch them. This is actually easier than it sounds. Just flip up the cover so that you can see the LATCH bar. Pull the LATCH anchors through the holes in the shell so that they're sitting like this:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i301/alunatic_photos/Marathon/IMG_1848.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i301/alunatic_photos/Marathon/IMG_1849.jpg

Then, pull up the loop on one of the anchors, and put the other anchor through the loop. Pull it through so that it's on the other side of the first loop:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i301/alunatic_photos/Marathon/IMG_1850.jpg

Voila! Now your "driver's side" LATCH anchor is on the driver's side for a FF carseat:
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i301/alunatic_photos/Marathon/IMG_1852.jpg

[Defrost]

No biggie :) The manual doesn't go into detail at all, so I thought I would mention it. Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieCaEakwJos) is how to switch them.

Oh dang, you posted while I was typing! I didn't know there was a video, that's awesome. LOL oh well!

[An Aurora]

Oh dang, you posted while I was typing! I didn't know there was a video, that's awesome. LOL oh well!
Lol! I just found it today ;)

[Defrost]

So, I can't do it that way??? Should I change them all??

Yes, you should - they have to face that way. Sorry! :(

[An Aurora]

Yes, you should - they have to face that way. Sorry! :(

Thanks. I knew I had read that somewhere, but I have a very whiny teething baby today and didn't have a chance to look it up.

[Unregistered]

OK - you guys are so knowledgeable!!!

I need to attempt this again - but here is another question.
When I tried to do this, the rear tether clip had another piece of strap - with a flat metal plate (with a hole in it). What the heck is that? Is it needed for the install I am doing?

Also, the fat part of the clip (on the rear tether) - just won't fit into the anchor on the back of the seat. Are you suggesting if I flip my seat forward - perhaps I can get at it at a better angle and force it to clip in there? It just seems like it was too fat.

Silly me - I thought I could switch this quickly this weekend. 45 minutes later (along with tears and a few choice words) - I switched it back! We're not quite to the weight limit to switch my little one forward - but I want to make sure it will work when we do need to switch it!

Unfortunatley, I live in a rural area, and we don't have any of the car seat clinics nearby - or I'd be looking for one!

[crunchierthanthou]

That extra strap is called the tether connector strap (or D-ring). You use if for rear facing only. It wraps around something like a seat leg so that you can use the tether rf. Britax is one of the two brands that allows the tether to be used rf. You can read about it in your manual if you're feeling bored. ;)

even though you're in a rural area, there may still be techs or a fitting station nearby.

find a technician (https://ssl13.cyzap.net/dzapps/dbzap.bin/apps/assess/Webmembers/tool?pToolCode=TAB9&pCategory1=TAB9_CERTSEARCH&Webid=SAFEKIDSCERTSQL)

find an inspection station (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/CPSFittingStations/CPSinspection.htm)

find an event (http://www.safekidsweb.org/events/events.asp)

[An Aurora]

Here (http://www.car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=386616&postcount=14) were the pics I took of installing a FF Marathon in my van. The only way I can get the tether to attach is to fold the seat. Otherwise, the angle is weird and you just can't do it.

[melniemi]

I drive an 02 Chevy Venture. My top tether anchors are also very hard to attach and even harder to undo. I put the tether anchor hook at an angle and really have to push at it to get them to hook. It does feel like it won't fit. With lots of work, I can get it done. I am going to try An Aurora's way next time. I actually need to go switch some seats around tonight or tomorrow, I'll try to take pics, maybe your anchors are like mine.