How do I put a top tether on a Cargo?

[MommyG]

Okay....I searched and searched on this forum, and apparently I am the only one too stupid to have to ask this question......and the manual says NOTHING about it....only a funky picture that I cannot figure out.

HOW do I attach the top tether to the back of the seat??????

There is only a closed LOOP at the top and two slots in the back of seat.....HELP!

Thanks!

[joolsplus3]

The two slots are parallel and right on top of each other, right?....I'm pretty sure you thread that closed loop into the seat shell, then out the other slot, then put the hook (and all the strap that follows it, of course), through the loop... man, I can't believe we don't have pictures of this, but I swear I can't remember anyone taking any!

Yeah, page six shows a picture... a very lame picture... http://www.gracobaby.com/assets/pdfs/instructions/ISPB007BE.pdf

[MommyG]

Ok...nevermind please as I have another CarGo.....(one is ultra and one is platinum I think) and that one was factory installed. So I figured out I was doing it right by looking at theirs.

Though, it doesn't seem to hold the seat in place that well.....is it supposed to, or just the lower anchors serve that function?

Also am I wrong in thinking the seam on that loop is the only thing from keeping it in place? It doesn't seem so incredibly secure....is that how they all work?

I think I am liking these two seats less and less.

[MommyG]

Thanks, Julie. I should take some pictures....because it isn't in the manual. My 2004 was not factory installed but my 2006 was.

[MommyG]

Yeah, page six shows a picture... a very lame picture... http://www.gracobaby.com/assets/pdfs/instructions/ISPB007BE.pdf

Yup.....that's what I meant by "funky picture" above.....I could not tell ANYTHING from that....am I SLOW???

[Defrost]

Though, it doesn't seem to hold the seat in place that well.....is it supposed to, or just the lower anchors serve that function?

Also am I wrong in thinking the seam on that loop is the only thing from keeping it in place? It doesn't seem so incredibly secure....is that how they all work?


That's correct - the top tether is a supplemental restraint, the lower anchors (or seat belt, depending on the way you install the carseat) are the primary restraint. The carseat needs to be properly installed with the lower anchors/seat belt before you tighten the top tether.

[MommyG]

Thanks, Debbie. That is very helpful as usual.

And this is a stupid question.....but I use the top tether at all times, right....even with the belt option?

And I can't use any kind of top tether with a booster, right?

[MommyG]

and p.s. I had these seats professionally installed by a tech here and they didn't use the top tethers in conjunction with lower anchor tethers so we (stupidly) always assumed that was okay.

They even said that my husband got them really tight and it was a very good install.

Is that normal?

[Defrost]

And this is a stupid question.....but I use the top tether at all times, right....even with the belt option?

It's not a stupid question at all! And yes, you use the top tether when installing a FF carseat with the seat belt or the lower anchors.

And I can't use any kind of top tether with a booster, right?

Actually, I think there are a couple of boosters that allow use of the tether, but I don't know if the Gracos are one of them.

and p.s. I had these seats professionally installed by a tech here and they didn't use the top tethers in conjunction with lower anchor tethers so we (stupidly) always assumed that was okay.

They even said that my husband got them really tight and it was a very good install.

Is that normal?

I'm not sure what you mean by "normal." Normal for a tech to be so uninformed? Heck, I hope that's not normal! Or normal for them to make a mistake? Yeah, that's normal - everyone makes mistakes. Have you contacted them and asked them about it?

[MommyG]

Have you contacted them and asked them about it?

No I haven't. Should I? They were so NICE!

[Defrost]

No I haven't. Should I? They were so NICE!

Well, I would. You can be nice and still point out a mistake. :)

[Jeanum]

The CarGo is one of the few seats to allow use of the top tether in booster mode. :thumbsup:

[Defrost]

The CarGo is one of the few seats to allow use of the top tether in booster mode. :thumbsup:

Huh, I'd never have guessed that. (See, even techs have "dumb" questions!)

[Jeanum]

I only know that tidbit because I have a CarGo circa 2004 which allows top tethering in booster mode in the manual. ;)

[MommyG]

The CarGo is one of the few seats to allow use of the top tether in booster mode. :thumbsup:

Thanks!

I was pleased with these seats as a five point harness, but was planning to ditch them for booster mode, because I don't like the fact that you have to thread the seatbelt through something that is attached to fabric (or is that a dorky concern?) but maybe I'll rethink? I'm a long way off, though.

I was thinking I will replace with the nautilus soon.

[joolsplus3]

...and if you look at all their funky pictures, the tether is pictured in every single one, even when used as a booster... (I just noticed that when I was reading the manual last night looking for pictures of how to install it).

:)

[MommyG]

Can I just ask one more insanely stupid question and I promise I'll stop.....?:o

So what would be so darn terrible if I DID use these CarGos as boosters and left the lower anchor tethers (secured) in place (i.e. after I remove the harnesses and they are using lap belt only in a few years?...)

I mean, if I can use the top tether......!

My car (Honda Ody) is only rated latch until 40 pounds....but wouldn't the lower anchor tethers be better than NOTHING at all holding that seat in?

That's what I have always hated about some of the boosters we have looked at. They aren't secured to anything and I am just real freaked out about that, I guess.

[joolsplus3]

Just buy a Recaro Start, Britax Frontier, Jane Indy Plus, or Sunshine Kids Monterey. They are all attached to the car, and are all MUCH better boosters than the Cargo (better shoulderbelt guides mostly, but will seriously last *years* longer, the Cargo will be outgrown WELL before any kid is ready for just the adult seatbelt). :)

[Defrost]

So what would be so darn terrible if I DID use these CarGos as boosters and left the lower anchor tethers (secured) in place (i.e. after I remove the harnesses and they are using lap belt only in a few years?...)


That's the trouble - we don't know. It's like asking what's wrong with using both LATCH and the seatbelt, or replacing a missing tether anchor with a cargo strap. Is it unsafe? We don't know! It's never been tested that way, or if it has, they haven't told us about it.

What we DO know is that boosters DO work to prevent injury when used according to the instructions. Is it possible that there's some way to make them work better? Yes, but that's not something we KNOW.

[MommyG]

Thanks, you make excellent points.