RF Marathon lock-offs or group Britax order?

[Calleiah]

If nobody has a set, Ill place an order with Britax. Anyone else need anything from them? Maybe we could do a combined order and save on shipping. My lockoffs wont stay closed and Britax was zippo help. :( So, let me know if you want/need something from them. I have a hard time paying more for shipping than I do for the replacement part. Yuck.

[Calleiah]

Ahh, called them back and got someone new who just flat out offered to send new ones even though it's an 06. Good thing too, just checked the parts site and rear lock offs arent even listed for purchase. I could still use some new pads if anyone wants to do a group order though. :D

[2mykids]

I have some RF lock-offs that anyone can have FFS. Just PM me. :thumbsup:

[ANGELINTC82]

I had the same problem with my rear facing lock offs and they are sending me new ones free. However, she did tell me that until they get here, I can use the lock off on the opposite side of the buckle. I would call back and talk to someone else.

[NannyMom]

I had the same problem with my rear facing lock offs and they are sending me new ones free. However, she did tell me that until they get here, I can use the lock off on the opposite side of the buckle. I would call back and talk to someone else.

Sarah Tilton has actually said you can NOT use the opposite lockoff. I know it's reccomended here alot, and Britax was giving me different answers, so I asked her directly.

[Calleiah]

Yeah, I had both Britax CS tell me to use the opposite lockoffs, but on mine, they are BOTH popping right open. The second lady sent me out new ones. Kind of moot ATM, my DH's car had a major transmission issue yesterday so we're officially a one car family until we can get a new one. Repairing his would cost more than the car is worth... :(
Fortunately Mia is boarder line RFable (her weight shifts between 31-36 lbs. I just flipped the seat and used the FF lockoffs till I get the new ones.

I do have my very first Radian coming in the mail right now! *rubs hands excitedly* I just wont have my truck to put it in till after DH gets home.

[keri1292]

What's the make and model of the car? Do the seatbelts not lock?

[ANGELINTC82]

Sarah Tilton has actually said you can NOT use the opposite lockoff. I know it's reccomended here alot, and Britax was giving me different answers, so I asked her directly.

Thanks for letting me know. I was told by two different CS reps that it was alright. My seat belts don't lock in my car and using a locking clip isn't possible either with the way the seat belts line up with the seat. I guess I'll have to switch to my TF until I get the new lock offs.

[NannyMom]

Thanks for letting me know. I was told by two different CS reps that it was alright. My seat belts don't lock in my car and using a locking clip isn't possible either with the way the seat belts line up with the seat. I guess I'll have to switch to my TF until I get the new lock offs.

Though, I bet you can remove the opposite side lock off and put it where you need it. WHen I got my new lockoffs, there was no distinguishing between the 2 sides.

[keri1292]

Though, I bet you can remove the opposite side lock off and put it where you need it. WHen I got my new lockoffs, there was no distinguishing between the 2 sides.

The screws on the old lockoffs were one time use, so if they're the same, that wouldn't work.

[Calleiah]

It's an 04 Chevy Avalanche. The belts do lock (retract at shoulder) but I've never been able to get it tight enough using just the shoulder retract. Just way too much give at the belt path. I also have Latch, but it's only in the middle and passenger side, and with our Monterey in the passenger side, it's really difficult to get it buckled with the MA in the middle.

[NannyMom]

The screws on the old lockoffs were one time use, so if they're the same, that wouldn't work.

how is a screw 1 time use? :confused: Maybe an older seat is different than a newer one? When I removed the rf lockoff on my 4/08 bv, it looked like I could use it again. it was a screw (with a star head- I needed to buy a tool), and a nut (or bolt?).

[keri1292]

how is a screw 1 time use? :confused: Maybe an older seat is different than a newer one? When I removed the rf lockoff on my 4/08 bv, it looked like I could use it again. it was a screw (with a star head- I needed to buy a tool), and a nut (or bolt?).

Sorry, it's actually the nut that is one time use.

The rear-facing lock-off can be replaced as you state you have done once - but it can be rotated 180 degrees - so that the hinge is towards the back of the child seat, not the thumb tab. You would need to get another replacement kit because the nuts that are supplied with the kits are "NYLOC" nuts and intended for a one time use.

Once you turn the lock-off 180 degrees - any bunching that might occur happens against the hinge and you have the length of the lock-off arm to use as leverage to close the lock-off.

When closing the lock-off be sure you are pulling the shoulder portion of the belt system down so the lock-off can close - you do not want to lock the retractor before the lock-off arm is closed. Locking the retractor is not necessary when using the built in lock-offs, but can be done if desired AFTER the lock-off is closed.

[brightredmtn]

Sarah Tilton has actually said you can NOT use the opposite lockoff. I know it's reccomended here alot, and Britax was giving me different answers, so I asked her directly.

What about both?

[NannyMom]

What about both?

no. let me go find the PMs.... she said she'd soon be writing an article for the SK CPS email thing (that we techs get monthly).

ETA- I seem to have deleted the PMs :doh: Hopefully her article will come along soon.

[brightredmtn]

no. let me go find the PMs.... she said she'd soon be writing an article for the SK CPS email thing (that we techs get monthly).

ETA- I seem to have deleted the PMs :doh: Hopefully her article will come along soon.

I just as because numerous, numerous times I've read here that it's ok.

[crunchierthanthou]

Sarah Tilton has actually said you can NOT use the opposite lockoff. I know it's reccomended here alot, and Britax was giving me different answers, so I asked her directly.

Are you sure? I think you might have it backward. Sarah has said in Britax training sessions to use the lock-off farther from the buckle as the latchplate can interfere with the near one closing. Also, each of the manuals for convertibles with lock-offs say to use the one opposite. :confused:

Lift the cover to open the rear-facing lock-off
farthest from where the vehicle belt will be
buckled (Fig. B).
3 Pull the vehicle belt out, then pass it under the
LATCH bar and through the rear-facing belt slot
(Fig. C).
• The vehicle belt can be routed over or under
cover.
4 Route the vehicle belt across seat then
through the opposite rear-facing belt slot
and under the LATCH bar.
IMPORTANT: The vehicle belt must rest behind
the child seat buckle strap.
5 Verify that the vehicle belt is not twisted,
position the lap belt portion through the open
lock-off, then buckle (Fig. D).
6 Push the child seat firmly into the vehicle
seat while removing slack first from the lap
portion of the vehicle belt, then the shoulder
portion (Fig. E).
7 Position both sections of the vehicle belt
through the open lock-off, tighten belt, close
the lock-off arm (Fig. F) and replace the
cover.



and if you're as bad at clearing out your email as I am and get email notification of PMs, you might still have the text of your PMs in your inbox. :o

[brightredmtn]

Are you sure? I think you might have it backward. Sarah has said in Britax training sessions to use the lock-off farther from the buckle as the latchplate can interfere with the near one closing. Also, each of the manuals for convertibles with lock-offs say to use the one opposite. :confused:

Maybe NannyMom meant opposite as in the lock off opposite the one that is broken? I'm still wondering about using both.

[NannyMom]

Are you sure? I think you might have it backward. Sarah has said in Britax training sessions to use the lock-off farther from the buckle as the latchplate can interfere with the near one closing. Also, each of the manuals for convertibles with lock-offs say to use the one opposite. :confused:



and if you're as bad at clearing out your email as I am and get email notification of PMs, you might still have the text of your PMs in your inbox. :o

Maybe NannyMom meant opposite as in the lock off opposite the one that is broken? I'm still wondering about using both.

Yes, I did mean opposite the broken one. Sorry for the confusing way I said it. Sarah told me you MUST use the lockoff opposite the latchplate. Not the one on the same side as the latchplate.

And brightredmtn, you have seen it here that you can use either lockoff, none, or both. And I hate reading it everytime I see it. That's why I finally PMd Sarah instead of asking here when I got conflicting answers from Britax CS.

[brightredmtn]

And brightredmtn, you have seen it here that you can use either lockoff, none, or both. And I hate reading it everytime I see it. That's why I finally PMd Sarah instead of asking here when I got conflicting answers from Britax CS.

I may have read either but I know for sure that I've been told that both is ok.

[dhardawa]

Sarah Tilton has actually said you can NOT use the opposite lockoff. I know it's reccomended here alot, and Britax was giving me different answers, so I asked her directly.

I have been told multiple times by Britax that you can use either, neither, or both. Actually, old manuals said to use the lockoff nearest the buckle, but they changed to the one farthest from the buckle because of the number of problems people were having using the one closest.

[NannyMom]

I have been told multiple times by Britax that you can use either, neither, or both. Actually, old manuals said to use the lockoff nearest the buckle, but they changed to the one farthest from the buckle because of the number of problems people were having using the one closest.

Well, hopefully Sarah's article in the CPS newsletter will clear it all up soon.

[keri1292]

As long as the lockoff is holding the belt tight, I doubt it matters which or how many you use. The lock off is going to pop open/break in an accident anyway. :twocents:

Of course, I'll do whatever Britax says on the matter, but common sense is pointing to either, neither or both.