Britax lock-offs?

[firemomof3]

My friend has a decathalon installed in an 03 caravan using the seat belts. The seat belts do lock if you pull them all the way out 1st so does she need to use the lock offs? If not, do you just close them and route the seat belt over them?
Also, with an 05 Safeseat are you allowed to keep the handle up, or does it have to be down?
Thanks so much :)

[cryswilkins]

The SS1 the handle can be up or dawn, but not in any of the in between positions, I believe.

If her seat belts lock then she doesn't have to use the lock-offs, just keep them closed and route the belt over them. For RF in my car, even thought my belts lock I use the lock-offs, because otherwise the seat tips to one side. Although a slight tip is OK, I wouldn't want to sit in a tipped seat. HTH.

[firemomof3]

Thanks! I will tell her! And thats awsome to hear about the safeseat because WOW that seat is huge! But with the handle up its not too bad :)

[crunchierthanthou]

My friend has a decathalon installed in an 03 caravan using the seat belts. The seat belts do lock if you pull them all the way out 1st so does she need to use the lock offs? If not, do you just close them and route the seat belt over them?
Also, with an 05 Safeseat are you allowed to keep the handle up, or does it have to be down?
Thanks so much :)

are you sure? the 03 Caravan should have locking latchplates.

Britax recommends using the lock-offs at all times, but they are optional if the belts lock in their own.

The SS1 requires the lock-off when doing a seatbelt install. The handle can be in positions A, C and D. The only one you can't use in the car is B, which is the one partially down, but still above the shell.

[firemomof3]

Actually its an 03 chevy venture and yes I'm sure the seat belt locked once I pulled it all the way out :thumbsup:

[cookie123]

Can I add a lock off question? I'm wondering which one is right to use or do you use both?

[crunchierthanthou]

Can I add a lock off question? I'm wondering which one is right to use or do you use both?

For rf you can use either or both, whichever gives you the best install. Generally, Britax recommends using the one farther from the buckle because the latchplate can interfere with the near one closing. Just make sure that both the lap and shoulder portions are routed through the lock-off.

[Kat_Momof3]

Actually its an 03 chevy venture and yes I'm sure the seat belt locked once I pulled it all the way out :thumbsup:

see, that makes a big difference... she questioned your surety because dodge vehicles all have locking lightweight latchplates.

Chevy always has locking retractors, so yeah, I'm sure you're right.

getting the name of the van right sometimes is more key than you'd think.

Britax always likes to use a lockoff (something about making it another connection point with the car... I don't know.

it doesn't take much effort to use it, also, so I'd go ahead and recommend using it.



Peg - for rearfacing, you can use one, the other or both... britax recommends using the one furthest from the buckle, though, and that's what I've always done.

Naturally, for ff, you only use the one farthest from the buckle, though.

[Jeanum]

Just chiming in here with a cautionary note about over generalizing about how seatbelts lock in Chevy/GM models because the seatbelt types have varied depending on the model/model year. Some GM models have seatbelts with locking latchplates, while other GM vehicles, typically more recent model years, tend to have switchable retractors. FWIW, I believe the '08 and newer model year Chrysler minivans also have locking retractors according to some members who own them. Manufacturers like to keep us on our toes and change things over time, making it important to check out the vehicle manual and the seatbelts to be sure of their type and how they lock. :)

[Kat_Momof3]

I agree... that's why I didn't say GM... I said Chevy.

Buick and them are a whole other ball of wax.

I didn't know about the 2008 models changing on chrysler and dodge.

I'll have to start adding that little exception.

[Jeanum]

Older Chevys also tended to have locking latchplates, which is why I specifically mentioned Chevy/GM and not just GM. :) It may seem like I'm nitpicking here, but we really need to keep in mind we have many members and lurkers who will take our posts at face value, and our goal is to provide parents/caregivers with accurate information and advice.

[crunchierthanthou]

Older Chevys also tended to have locking latchplates, which is why I specifically mentioned Chevy/GM and not just GM. :) It may seem like I'm nitpicking here, but we really need to keep in mind we have many members and lurkers who will take our posts at face value, and our goal is to provide parents/caregivers with accurate information and advice.

yup. :) Impalas, Malibus, Cavaliers, even some older Ventures (up until at least 01) had locking latchplates on lap/shoulder belts. Some may have them still.