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4th tether anchor installed in 02 Caravan.
- Thread starter HONEYhas3
- Start date
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unityco
Ambassador - CPS Technician
Hmm... :scratcheshead: that's interesting. Looks a bit funky to me, but what do I really know? :shrug-shoulders: You've seen my photos of our '99 Caravan, right? (Anchors are bolted to the floor.) I know, though, that the Caravans changed in '01, so mine are not necessarily any indication of what yours should be.
Are you concerned about them?
Are you concerned about them?
Pixels
New member
It's attached to where the seat belts attach. If it's strong enough to hold the seatbelts, it's strong enough to hold the tether. I'm not worried about overloading that part, either. Any extra force from the tether is going to be less force on the seatbelt. Plus, that seatbelt anchor point is strong enough to hold two seatbelts, two adults. You're replacing at least one of those adults with a child+carseat.
swtgi1982
New member
unityco
Ambassador - CPS Technician
The problem I have with this argument, is if we say that in this case, how can we in good conscience advise "do-it-yourselfers" otherwise? There's been a few examples of people making their own FF tethers to seat belt stalks, or seat legs - both of which should be strong enough to hold a FF tether. In this case, it's a manufacturer-approved solution, but it's been pointed out before that even these approved after-market tethers aren't actually crash-tested - just calculated to be within safety margins. How can we stop the "it's strong enough for..." argument from being more broadly applied?
Just a general observation, not directly pointed at you, pixels.
crunchierthanthou
New member
2001 Chryslers were different. They had 5 TAs and LATCH available for every rear position (either 1 center or 2 outboard for the 3rd row)- a sort of holy grail for LATCH. It was the first year with LATCH and the only year that was like that.
ontariomama
New member
I'm pretty sure that 2001 was the only year that the 3rd row has three top tethers. I have a 2005, and there is only 1 in the back row (middle). 2001 was a good year
Someone can correct me if I am wrong
Assuming the bolt is attached to bolt for the seatbelt which then I'm ok with. But why the strap? Tether straps on carseats are usually long enough to reach under the seat and hooked directly onto the metal loop itself. Why the strap? Which makes me a bit leary about the whole set up. But let me look up something because I thought I heard about this in another case before.
PM Allport please to see what she says.
PM Allport please to see what she says.
Maggie
New member
I'm pretty sure that 2001 was the only year that the 3rd row has three top tethers. I have a 2005, and there is only 1 in the back row (middle). 2001 was a good year
Someone can correct me if I am wrong
Nope, you're right. 01 was the only year to have tethers in all rear seating positions.
Pixels
New member
The problem I have with this argument, is if we say that in this case, how can we in good conscience advise "do-it-yourselfers" otherwise? There's been a few examples of people making their own FF tethers to seat belt stalks, or seat legs - both of which should be strong enough to hold a FF tether. In this case, it's a manufacturer-approved solution, but it's been pointed out before that even these approved after-market tethers aren't actually crash-tested - just calculated to be within safety margins. How can we stop the "it's strong enough for..." argument from being more broadly applied?
Just a general observation, not directly pointed at you, pixels.
Isn't this the exact argument that is why an unused seatbelt from the row behind can be used as a temporary tether point? Approved tether anchors, whether original or approved after market, are not crash tested. Neither are seatbelts (other than the driver and front passenger). There are minimum pull strengths for each. The minimum for seatbelts far exceeds the minimum for tether anchors.
My problem with DIYs is that things like a seat leg aren't usually small enough to get the tether clip onto, and then the DIYer starts getting creative. When the words "jury rig" enter the equation is when there's a problem. It's the strength of whatever creative adapter the DIY came up with that I question. In this case, the adapter is manufacturer supplied and approved, so presumably strong enough.
unityco
Ambassador - CPS Technician
Yes, you're right, of course.
I just hate the way we can seem to be inconsistent on this issue. (Kind of like the "ALWAYS follow your manual, except for RF height" thing. )
snowbird25ca
Moderator - CPST Instructor
Based on another thread which had a Caravan which was retrofitted with another tether anchor similarly, the strap used is actually one that is used in some Dodge pick-up trucks as part of the tether anchor assembly. The 3rd row bench is also the same bench as some of their pick-up trucks.
I don't recall if this is mounted the same way as the one in the other thread or not, but I know that there was a dealership in ON who went to Chrysler engineering to find out how to get another tether anchor added to a Caravan. If this is following the same instructions, then both the part and the location it is anchored have been tested by the manufacturer and engineering has been consulted, so I would have no concerns about using this tether point. :thumbsup:
I don't recall if this is mounted the same way as the one in the other thread or not, but I know that there was a dealership in ON who went to Chrysler engineering to find out how to get another tether anchor added to a Caravan. If this is following the same instructions, then both the part and the location it is anchored have been tested by the manufacturer and engineering has been consulted, so I would have no concerns about using this tether point. :thumbsup:
Beckers
Active member
I have an 02 Caravan too and I'm so excited you were able to get this done! I've been wonder about it for a while since seeing these pics in the manual re: vans with no seats except the front seats.
I wonder why you can't just thread it through the unused seat brackets like they are in the pics
I wonder why you can't just thread it through the unused seat brackets like they are in the pics
U
Unregistered
Guest
How would one go about getting this done to their van?
I am in need of another tether anchor in my 06 caravan, and have been told by the dealership it is not possible. I have 4 kids FF, and need another anchor.
Thanks.
I am in need of another tether anchor in my 06 caravan, and have been told by the dealership it is not possible. I have 4 kids FF, and need another anchor.
Thanks.
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