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View Full Version : dumb ?...do I need to use tether...

radiojoy
03-26-2008, 09:47 PM
Do I need to use the tether on my Marathon if I'm using the LATCH system?
One more ?...if I am moving my car seat back and forth from vehicles does it need to be tethered each time in order to be safe?
lovinwaves
03-26-2008, 09:51 PM
Is the seat forward-facing, or rear-facing?

Are you in the US?
azgirl71
03-26-2008, 09:54 PM
No question is dumb :love:. Id you are usin lower anchors to install your MA then you need to use the top tether too. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. If you install with the seatbelt you do not have to use the top tether, but it is highly recommened to use it.

By using it you reduse forward head excursion and this *could* make a huge difference in the outcome of a crash if you were in one. Best practice is to always use top tethers.
scatterbunny
03-26-2008, 10:04 PM
No question is dumb :love:. Id you are usin lower anchors to install your MA then you need to use the top tether too. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. If you install with the seatbelt you do not have to use the top tether, but it is highly recommened to use it.

By using it you reduse forward head excursion and this *could* make a huge difference in the outcome of a crash if you were in one. Best practice is to always use top tethers.

This is all true of a forward-facing installation, but not for a rear-facing installation. When RF the top tether is optional no matter what, and it's there more to add stability to the installation (make it feel less "bouncy") and to eliminate rebound (the rotation of the carseat toward the rear vehicle seatback at the end of a crash).
azgirl71
03-26-2008, 10:06 PM
This is all true of a forward-facing installation, but not for a rear-facing installation. When RF the top tether is optional no matter what, and it's there more to add stability to the installation (make it feel less "bouncy") and to eliminate rebound (the rotation of the carseat toward the rear vehicle seatback at the end of a crash).

I should have clarified for FF installs. :o
radiojoy
03-26-2008, 10:11 PM
It is rear facing, so to clarify it is not necessary for rear facing.

One of our vehicles has the latch system and one uses the belt. Thanks so much for your knowledge, I appreciate it greatly!!!
azgirl71
03-26-2008, 10:15 PM
It is rear facing, so to clarify it is not necessary for rear facing.

One of our vehicles has the latch system and one uses the belt. Thanks so much for your knowledge, I appreciate it greatly!!!

Correct, you do not have to use the tether when RF. It is a great safety feature, but not always easy to do if you are swapping the seat a lot.
Mommy2Marcus
03-26-2008, 10:32 PM
It is rear facing, so to clarify it is not necessary for rear facing.

One of our vehicles has the latch system and one uses the belt. Thanks so much for your knowledge, I appreciate it greatly!!!

Hiya Hun! I would suggest that if you're swapping it alot that you purchase a 2nd seat for the other car. I HATE moving my seat & find it much easier to just spend a little more money on an extra seat. I would suggest either a Evenflo Triumph Advance..which is around $140-$150 at Target & Babies R Us..or if that is to much then a Cosco Scenera which is about $50 at Wal-Mart & Target! The reason I say this is b/c the more it is moved the more error there is for incorrect instalation. So if at all possible then I would buy a 2nd seat. I have an EFTA & a Scenera & both are great seats!