MA install

[emars002]

Ok - need help with marathon install - first - I know the covers i have on them void the warranty - i did not knwo that when i got them a year ago - i found out yesterday when i had help on this site installing my boulevards - my old covers are grosss - i ordered new ones from Britax today. Ok, i think i have the front facing in correctly - the rear facing is loose - I pushed on it, my husband pushed on it - its not real loose, maybe and inch either way but the boulevard rear facing doesn't budge - i locked the locking latch on the marathon and that did not help much - the vehicle is a F150 Lariat 2001 - also i had to use the extra tether starp and wrapped it around the rear seat leg in the middle (its like a metal frame) any suggestions would be great. the pink is the rear facing and the purple is FF. I have no idea why one pic is bigger than the other - i tried resizing - doesn't work.
Thanks

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll208/emars002/DSC00628.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll208/emars002/DSC00629.jpg

[emars002]

Ok - we got it tighter but i think the recline is almost completely gone - it is sitting pretty straight up - how much recline for a 17month old? Also - i just moved to the last harness slot on the marathon for my 5 year old - we just bought the 2 new boulevards - do the BLVDS have a higher harness height than the MA - its hard to tell with no slots - I didn't want to go out there and crank it up as far as it goes and mess up the setting i have for her right now - i am asking beause i am wondering if i should get rid of my MAs, keep the BLVDS for my youngest and get something else for my 5 year old who weighs nothing - Any opions b/t the regent and the Frontier? i liek the Frontier for the SIP and the booster option but i knwo it has not been around very long so you cannot find much about it other than its terible to install! thanks.

[emars002]

I guess when you look at the picture it looks more reclined than it does when i was looking at it in the car.
this is after DH got it tight:
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll208/emars002/DSC00630.jpg

[Starlight]

that recline looks fine for 17 mo.

the blvd and the ma are right about the same as far as harness height. i would not buy a blvd for a 5 yr old, i would instead look at a regent or frontier, or even a Graco Nautilus.

[ali's mom]

Is the RF seat tethered to the same seat frame it is sitting on? If it is, it should be tethered to the seat in front of it.

[Patriot201]

This is a relatively minor thing, but the LATCH hooks need to be correctly stored in the pockets or "wells" on your seat.

[Mom to a few]

I get about 35-36 degrees on your RF seat, so that should be fine.

And I think the Blvd has a shorter harness height than the Marathon--when one of my kids had outgrown the Blvd by height, he still had quite a bit of room when I tried him in a friend's Marathon.

[Defrost]

Doesn't the Blvd have TSIP wings?

[snowbird25ca]

Doesn't the Blvd have TSIP wings?

Yep. These are MA's in the pictures though. :thumbsup:

[Defrost]

Yep. These are MA's in the pictures though. :thumbsup:

Ah-ha! Somehow I missed that, thanks!

[snowbird25ca]

I have a couple of questions.

- I can't quite tell if you're using the lock-off for the ff'ing seat or not? If you're using the lock-off, the seatbelt should be clamped between the black plastic piece and the shell of the seat - so that black plastic piece should be basically pinching the seatbelt against the seat shell.

- Did you lock the vehicle seatbelt? If you're not using the lock-off, then you need to lock the seatbelt. There's instructions on how to do that on the label at the bottom of the belt. Your vehicle manual will also detail how to do it.

I can't tell how or if you have the top tether attached, but I know most Ford pick-ups use a series of webbing loops behind the seats as tether anchors. Your vehicle manual will describe how to use them, but if you find it confusing we can also help. Whenever possible the top tether should always be used because it increases the amount of protection to the child in the seat.

When you tighten up the seatbelt in the MA, it's perfectly fine to climb into the MA or use a knee to put pressure, and then tighten the seatbelt. Usually the seat tightens up pretty easily if you do that. :)

That being said, as long as you're under 1" side to side and front to back when you check for movement at the belt path (where the seatbelt passes through the carseat shell,) then you have an acceptable installation. It's also worth saying that when checking for movement you should be using one hand and using gentle but firm pressure - not reefing on it. :thumbsup: As long as you're under 1" when you check that way, then the installation is fine as long as you either are using the lock-off or have the seatbelt locked.

[emars002]

yes, the FF is tethered behind the seat on these straps - i have to fix the RF because I tethered it to the seat it is on - I will have to find somewhere to tether it to the front - I have 2 marathons - each in the F150 - 1 RF and 1 FF. I ahve 2 BLVDS - 1 FF 1 RF in my minivan - My daughter (the 5 year old) just went up to the top slot on the marathon - I was wondering what seat I should get next - I want to keep the BLVDS because of the SIP but someone replied and said the MA might last longer as far as harness height is concerned - I guess I will keep the BLVD - put one in each car RF for my 17 month old - replace the marathons with something else for my 5 year - I just bought the BLVD so i don't want them to go - Hopefully the oldest will fit in the MA and BLVD a little while longer. Also, I used the lock off on the FF - it is pinching the shoulder belt against the shell and I used the lock off on the RF on the side away from where the belt buckeled.

[CDNTech]

My parents have this exact vehicle (in red) and I have a Marathon.

FFing Marathon...

The seatbelt locks by pulling it all the way out (called a switchable or ELR/ALR seatbelt). It switches into locking mode and you will hear a clicking sound as it retracts back into the retractor. You do not need to use the built-in lock-off if you are locking the seatbelt.

The tether anchor is a webbing loop directly behind the seating position you are using (all three positions have one). You attach the tether directly to that webbing loop. Route the tether straps *around* the headrest, not through it... or you can remove the headrest completely.

RFing Marathon...

The center position has an ALR lapbelt... it automatically locks when you pull it out at any position. This can be annoying when trying to install the seat. ;) Do NOT use the built-in lock-offs on the Marathon.

To get more of a recline, keep the base closer to the seat bight (where the vehicle seat back meets the vehicle seat bum cushion). Pull the lapbelt out and route it through the RFing belt path... don't let it retract yet. Push your weight into the child restraint where babies bum goes and let the seatbelt retract back in.

To get it nice and tight, you may need two people. Have one person putting weight into the seat where babies bum goes and have the other one carefully unbuckle the seatbelt. Let it retract back 1 - 2 clicks and then work to re-buckle the seatbelt. It may be easier if you lean the seat closer to the buckle to get it re-buckled and then re-position it once buckled so that it's straight.

The d-ring can get looped around either the driver or passenger inside seat track leg and the tether anchor hooked to the d-ring.

Getting the right angle for your child really depends where you start out with the seat. I generally start out with mine too close to the seat bight and end up with it over reclined, so it's definitely possible to get it past a 45 degree angle in this truck. :D

[emars002]

Ok - i think we are good - i removed the RF tether from the back seat and put it on the passenger seat track - I also undid the locking clip on the RF marathon - Just for curiosities sake - why can you not use the lock off on the car seat and the locking seat belt? ( I believe the manual just says to use it ). i like to have answers when my DH questions why I am always "messing" with the car seats - ( he thinks i am a little neurotic!)

[courtfrog2]

Hang out here and you will become a REAL carseat Fanatic! LOL.

* sigh * we love carseats here!

[CDNTech]

why can you not use the lock off on the car seat and the locking seat belt?

Plain and simple answer... The seatbelt is already locked, you don't need to lock it twice. ;)

Big Explanation...
Especially with this type of seatbelt (ALR lapbelt), if you use the built-in lock-off and the seatbelt has a little slack in it between the lock-off and the retractor... imagine a collision where the lock-off breaks, now that slack is introduced to the seat. Not the best scenario.

Locking clips and built-in lock-offs are designed to hold the seat in place for an ELR (emergency locking retractor) seatbelt *until* a collision occurs. In a collision the locking clip/ built-in lock-off may bend/break/fly off/stay in place, but the ELR seatbelt will lock in that collision and causes the child restraint to *stay* in place.

With an ALR (automatic locking retractor) seatbelt or locking latchplate lapbelt (think airplane seatbelts), the seatbelt is already locked... so we want the seat to stay in place and be locked by that seatbelt. In the event of a collision it will continue to stay in place because the seatbelt is always locked. There is never a need for a locking clip/built-in lock-off in this case and can be dangerous if used.

[emars002]

Great explanation - Thanks! :)

[emars002]

Ok, just so I know I am sure - the lap shoulder belt in the truck is an ELR therefore I use the locking clip (twisty pin for shoulder strap) the middle seat belt is an ALR so no locking clip. Why does Britax state in the manual:

If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic locking retractor (ALR), use of lock-offs is not required as long as the ALR is activated. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine the type of retractor your vehicle has.

Not required definately should say "do not use". It's almost sounding optional to me rather than letting me know it could be dangerous - Before I came on this website I would think the more you lock the better! Thanks for the information - I would not have known.

[courtfrog2]

I agree... the manual is confusing and does not explain it very well.

Which covers did you order to replace the pretty pink and purple ones?

[emars002]

The mariposa - i looked at the old ones (ashley and erin) the ashley is real bad - the erin isn't that stained but I really don't like the pattern on it anyway - i am not sure why I bought that one- i think it was a closeout on the cover so it must have been cheaper than regular MA price! And I have one more question - I hate to bother everyone - i just want to make sure I understand - I went back out to the truck and the outboard rear belts are ELR/ALR - I had installed them using ALR - I locked them - so do I undo the locking clip on the FF? and if so, had i not pulled the belt all the way out to change it from ELR to ALR - then i would use the locking clip? (Wow - I think i have confused myself!:))

[courtfrog2]

I personally would trust the ALR on your seatbelt more than the lock off on the carseat.

I would keep the seatbelt locked and undo the lock off.

[courtfrog2]

Oooh... I love the Maraposa!

[emars002]

Thanks! - I'm glad i know they are in correctly now!