"Flipping" the latch plate

[unityco]

I'm curious as to what other people's experiences are with "flipping" the latch plate on seat belts with locking latch plates.

I use two vehicles with locking latch plates... our '99 Dodge Caravan which has the "lightweight" variety on its lap/shoulder belts, and my parents' '97 Suburban which has the "regular" variety on its lap-only belts. I have found flipping the latch plates to be very effective for "regular" latch plates if they happen to be too close the carseat shell and aren't lying completely flat, but I find flipping makes very little, if any, difference on the "lightweight" style, even when, if not flipped, the belts are completely parallel. :shrug-shoulders: I don't even attempt a flip any more in "lightweight" vehicles.

So, what about you? Do you find flipping equally effective on both styles of locking latch plates? I think I may even make this a poll...

[An Aurora]

Personally, I've never had a problem with a locking latchplate slipping, so I've never felt the need to flip a latchplate.

[Karen]

I'm interested in this thread. I had an install of mine fail last week when I put the seat in with a locking latch plate. I thought I even checked for it, but my friend told me the whole seat fell over while she was driving. :eek: Totally my fault. I was going to try flipping, but she has the lightweight latch plates.

[skaterbabscpst]

I've NEVER had a latchplate (of either kind) slip when flipped, on ANY vehicle in which I've installed a seat.

[emars002]

I know my 2001 caravan has them - i had DD1s seat installed without flipping and I had to tighten it once a week - i finally went with latch for now - once she hits 40lbs, i will flip them becasue i don't want to forget to check her seat one week. on the other hand, my RF MA never loosed up:confused:

[NannyMom]

In DH's Durango I had to flip the lightweight latchplate to keep it tight. We never had to do that in the center seat with the regular locking latchplate.

[Maggie]

Our 2 main vehicles, an '01 Grand Caravan and a '96 Grand Cherokee, have lightweight ones. I've never flipped them and have never had a problem with seats coming loose.

[sunnyflower417]

I have LW locking in my Intrepid and I can never get them to work properly. I have not tried flipping but use a locking clip.

[LuvBug03]

my mother's 06 T&C slipped no matter what. I gave up on them and just used a locking clip. Even my instructor couldn't do anything with them.

[Genevieve]

my mother's 06 T&C slipped no matter what. I gave up on them and just used a locking clip. Even my instructor couldn't do anything with them.

Same with my '07 T&C. I hate those stupid latchplates, they don't hold. For now I use LATCH, but I'll use a locking clip if I ever have to install with the seatbelt.

[emntheboys]

Same with my '07 T&C. I hate those stupid latchplates, they don't hold. For now I use LATCH, but I'll use a locking clip if I ever have to install with the seatbelt.

Thank you both!!! I was trying to install a RF Radian in the 3rd row of my '05 T & C with leather & I COULD NOT get it to stay, even with flipping. I thought I was doing something wrong and I've been bothered by it ever since. Glad to know others have this problem too!! I'll have to try the locking clip next time.

[2mykids]

The LW latch plate easily slipped in my 99 Plymouth Voyager but flipping it held tight, no problems.

(I didn't vote, since I only have experience with one vehicle. I just wanted to contribute.) :thumbsup: