Regent in a suburban

[zeo2ski]

Here it is: I know next to nothing about the Regent! So...installation seems complicated--long belt path, short belt path, pre/post advisory, tether after 40 or 50 lbs???? Obviosly the manual would clear it up for me, but right now I'm just deciding what set to buy.

I drive a 98 suburban which I'm told can only be "retrofitted" for a TA for the middle row and the retrofit is a piece that utilizes the seatbelt of the third row. So that means any forward facing seat can only be in the second row of my vehicle (unless I didn't tether, but let's not even talk about that!). I'm wondering if I can install the Regent using a lap only belt. NOt sure why I have it in my head that a lap/shoulder is required, lol, but can someone please set me straight? Also, I would be buying a new CR so post advisory--what exactly are the tethering requirements? Since I wish to tether any seat, is the regent actually any different in terms of tethering "rules"?

[Jeanum]

The Regent may be installed with a lap-only belt - a lap-shoulder belt is not required. :) That said, I can't specifically say whether or not it will install successfully in a '98 Suburban as I don't have experience with that exact combination. The closest model I've installed the Regent in was in a 2003 Suburban with LATCH or with the lap-shoulder belt.

Top tethering is always recommended to an appropriate tether anchor in the vehicle with any forward facing harnessed seat. The Regent does require tethering for any installation type for kids 50 lbs. and up, and for Regents manufactured since June 2007 installed with the short belt path method using a lap-shoulder belt. You can get a preview of the current Regent manual online at: http://www.britaxusa.com/uploads/products/user-guides/15.pdf
Other than the Regent, the only other seat that requires tethering is the Britax Frontier, which requires tethering for kids weighing 65 lbs. and up in harnessed mode.

[LuvMy3Monkeys]

I have a 2004 Suburban, and I have two regents and a marathon. When I only had one seat on the rear bench, we used the lap only belt. Worked out extremely well. Now our new arrangement is another story. We have two regents on the back bench and have to use the lap/shoulder belts on each side. What I found extremely odd is the long belt path... because the seat belts don't reach far enough to complete that path. I tried and tried everything possible and it is definitely about 8-10 inches too short to make that pass. so we have to use the short belt path on both. But yes, to answer your question, the lap belt works just fine. :)

[skaterbabscpst]

I have a '93 Suburban and I actually really like the lap-belt install. I tether to the 3rd row lap belt.

[zeo2ski]

thanks!

Yeah I think I'd be doing the same as skaterbabs. Thanks for clearing that all up. Now I just need to decide if that's the right seat for us...

[lovemyfamily]

I have a 2004 Suburban, and I have two regents and a marathon. When I only had one seat on the rear bench, we used the lap only belt. Worked out extremely well. Now our new arrangement is another story. We have two regents on the back bench and have to use the lap/shoulder belts on each side. What I found extremely odd is the long belt path... because the seat belts don't reach far enough to complete that path. I tried and tried everything possible and it is definitely about 8-10 inches too short to make that pass. so we have to use the short belt path on both. But yes, to answer your question, the lap belt works just fine. :)

Are you installing your Regents with or without the recline bars? Ours is preadvisory, so I don't use the recline bar, and we have it installed long belt path in the 3rd row, driver outboard, of our 2001 Yukon XL. It is a fight, but we get it buckled and it is rock solid.

[skaterbabscpst]

I've always installed mine with the recline bar, center 2nd row lapbelt, tethered to the third row lapbelt. Quite secure, and I can even install fairly wide seats on either side of it.

[diaperjoys]

We have a '99 Suburban, which I believe is very similar to the '98. We were told when we purchased it that there was a major overhaul in '00, but that the '06ish - '99 were pretty much the same thing.

We have a post-advisory Regent, so we have to use a recline bar. We have it installed in the third row outboard, and, per the manual's instructions, we use the cargo hook to tether it. (the cargo hook way back by the rear door, not the one immediately behind the seat back; wierd, but that is what the manual requires) Long belt path is pretty easy to do, short belt path is harder, and we have to twist the belt stalk and wrestle a bit, but it does go in.

[zeo2ski]

We have a '99 Suburban, which I believe is very similar to the '98. We were told when we purchased it that there was a major overhaul in '00, but that the '06ish - '99 were pretty much the same thing.

We have a post-advisory Regent, so we have to use a recline bar. We have it installed in the third row outboard, and, per the manual's instructions, we use the cargo hook to tether it. (the cargo hook way back by the rear door, not the one immediately behind the seat back; wierd, but that is what the manual requires) Long belt path is pretty easy to do, short belt path is harder, and we have to twist the belt stalk and wrestle a bit, but it does go in.

Man I wish the cargo hook was an option for mine! Is that in the vehicle's manual then? I really need to get around to ordering my retrofit TA just to be sure of exactly where it can be put, although it was sounding like it will only be for the second row, utilizing 3rd row buckles. Now if only I can find the paper with that part number....

[diaperjoys]

Man I wish the cargo hook was an option for mine! Is that in the vehicle's manual then? I really need to get around to ordering my retrofit TA just to be sure of exactly where it can be put, although it was sounding like it will only be for the second row, utilizing 3rd row buckles. Now if only I can find the paper with that part number....

We have the retrofit kit for the second row, and it does utilize the 3rd row buckles. But for the third row, the manual says to use the cargo hooks way back by the door. There are two, both outboard. It really cuts into cargo space having that strap go through there, but it does work.