Forward-Facing Installation of Britax Marathon

[lynsgirl]

I made a photo/instruction album for a friend who had purchased her first (and only) Marathon. The photos and instructions are for LATCH and seat belt installation, but for forward-facing only, since she would not be using it rear-facing. Also, the lockoffs mentioned/shown here are the "old" style FF lockoffs, not the newer-style ones found on the most recently manufactured Britax convertibles.

Since the Marathon comes set up to use LATCH in the rear-facing position, we start with switching the LATCH connectors to their forward-facing positions. There is a driver's side connector, which is the connector on the side of the seat facing the driver's side. If you are facing the back of the vehicle (w/the driver's side on your right), this connector will be on the right side of the rear-facing seat. In order to use the seat forward-facing, you need to switch the connectors to the opposite side.


*Driver's side LATCH connector*


*Push connector through beltpath opening & slide along black bar.*

*Do the same w/the other connector.*


*Slide the passenger side connector through the strap on the other connector.*


*Push passenger side connector down through belt path opening. Do the same to the other side.*


*Where you'll find the Marathon manual.*


*Recline adjustor bar - in the front of the base, under the seat.*


*Pull bar to adjust recline. It needs to be in the upright position for FF.*


*Picture of seat in FF position on base. Notice the gap between the back of the base and the MA. The front of the seat is resting right on the base. This is correct for FF.*


*Make sure tether strap is over back of vehicle seat before starting install. Check both sides of the tether to be sure one side isn't stuck behind seat.*


*Passenger side LATCH connector*


*Passenger side LATCH connector - attached to anchor bar.*


*Passenger side LATCH connector on anchor bar - do not tighten yet.*


*Driver's side LATCH connector, attached to anchor bar*


*Put knee(s) in seat and grasp both LATCH straps - one in each hand.*


*Pull up to tighten on both straps at the same time, keeping your weight in the seat.*


*Check for tightness at "belt path" (check at the same place you would if doing a seat belt install). There should be less than 1" of movement (little to no movement is best).*


*Loosen tether enough to easily attach to anchor.*


*Attach tether hook to anchor.*


*Pull slack out of non-adjusting side of tether.*


(continued in next post)

[lynsgirl]

(continued from first post)

*Tighten tether strap by pulling on tail end.*


*This is what the tether strap should look like when done.*


*If not using LATCH, there are storage pouches in the cover for the connectors.*


*Seatbelt install. Pull out belt.*


*Grasp belt on either side of latchplate and feed over the black bar in the FF beltpath.*


*Feed through FF beltpath and again, *over* the black bar on the other side.*


*Leave enough slack to buckle, making sure belt isn't twisted.* (sorry this one is slightly blurry - my son took some of the pictures for me)


*Kneel in seat and pull slack out of lapbelt portion of belt, near the buckle.*


*Pull slack out of shoulder portion of belt by pulling out away from the seat on the side furthest from the buckle.*


*Slide shoulder portion into lockoff (be sure it's *in* the lockoff and not behind or in front).*


*Close lockoff and let go of belt.*


*Check at beltpath for tightness (same as w/LATCH). Less than 1" of movement - little to no movement best. Attach top tether as shown for LATCH install.*


Amy
CPST and Mom to 4 great kids, all in seats

[Dillipop]

That is a great tutorial. Thanks for doing it! I'm sure it will help lots of people install their marathons!

[LuvBug03]

AWESOME! we needed a picture of exactly how the alligator clips should be turned! thanks!