Tether Achors from Britax

[stjemmes]

I told Britax that my SUV doesn't have the achors I need to tether my Regents in the 3rd row. They said that they have some univeral ones that they are mailing out for install in my SUV. Has anyone ever used them??

[LISmama810]

I believe that anchor kits are universal, though I've never heard of Britax sending them out.

Oftentimes, you can install them yourself.

However, some cars/positions cannot be retrofitted, especially if there are already other anchors in the vehicle.

What's the year/make/model of your SUV?

ETA: And if your vehicle CAN be retrofitted, you'd need to get instructions from your manufacturer.

[wendytthomas]

She's got a 2005 Expedition. There's a whole thread devoted to getting her two Regents in the third row where there's only one tether in the center. :-) Ford said if Britax said it was ok, and Britax said if Ford said it was ok, then they could add some universal. If I remember her phone conversations with the two companies. LOL So we're actually all waiting to see if they CAN and will put in extra tethers in a 2005 vehicle.

Wendy

[stjemmes]

I have a 2005 Ford Expedition and I'm having them installed in the 3rd row. I have 1 installed in the center seat of the 3rd row that is factory installed. When I called Britax about the seats not fitting my Exped. and they are sending them to me for free.

[stjemmes]

I can't remeber hearing anything about the univ. tether and wanted to get feedback on them.

[chickabiddy]

I am still concerned about exactly where they will put them, since the approved tether in the third row of a 2005 Expedition is a webbing loop on the seatback -- there are (AFAIK) no approved anchor locations on the frame.

[stjemmes]

If these get installed then I will post pics of how it was done.

[joolsplus3]

Page 75 of the LATCH manual gives pretty good instructions for how to determine a good place to install generic tether anchors.

[MOM25BOYS]

I am still concerned about exactly where they will put them, since the approved tether in the third row of a 2005 Expedition is a webbing loop on the seatback -- there are (AFAIK) no approved anchor locations on the frame.

This is why I was told it could not be done. It is not like a bolt in type of anchor back there and behind the 3rd row the floor board is not solid. You have a lift panel that is the entire cargo area for what you would need to change a flat so nothing directly behind the seat to bolt a universal kit into. The only place I could think of them trying to bolt one in is to the frame under the 3rd row seat and then you would have to route a strap like with the middle one to have access to it.

I am too very curious to see how this works out. It would mean I might have a chance at tethering the Frontiers back there.;)

[stjemmes]

Ok so I went out to see where the tether anchors into behind the 3rd row and found that the strap is connected to the anchor which is bolted to the
under bar of the 3rd row seat frame. I placed a tether in the strap and in the anchor hole the strap was looped through. It SEEMS like the strap is more so that the cargo floor/back of seat flap fall flush with the seat. Likes its more for looks. If I can get my camera up then I will take pics. I know when I attached the tether without using the strap everything sat flush anyway. Mind you that strap is a joke. Its so small.

[MOM25BOYS]

Double check your manual to make sure, but if I remember correctly it shows in the manual that the tether must be attached to the webbing strap and does not say it can be attached to the actual ring under the seat.

I can see though where it may not be a big deal since the loop is right there, but there may be a manufacturers reason why they want you to use the webbing loop. The tether may have to be clear from the trap door would be one I could think of right now.;)

[stjemmes]

Ok so i talked to the lady at Ford again and she said I could attach the universal tether to the frame of the 3rd row like the center tether is. She said I can also attach to the floor in the metal but the fuel tank is under the car so the install would be tricky. So as soon as I get the anchors from Britax I'm going to see if they will fit on the frame and if they do I will have them installed there. Ford is looking to see if the anchor that is already installed in the 3rd row is a part that can be ordered. The tech at Ford has been researching the issue and seems to be helpful. I'm very hopeful this is going to work out.

[wendytthomas]

Wow. You seem to have a good crew around you. Most dealerships would say, "Nah, we don't have that," and hang up before you can open your mouth to respond.

I hope it does work out!! That would be perfect. And great for the rest of us to know. :-) I wonder who else would ok Britax approved tethers in otherwise unretrofittable cars?

Wendy