Marathon install

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jenand22

New member

• Feb 24, 2007

• #1

We installed our marathon rfing without using the lockoffs (we couldn't get them to close over the dumb seatbelt!) We put the seatbelt in "automatic" locking mode and installed the seat that way, but it tilts to one side because the shoulder strap is making it tilt. We need some install help! How do we find someone who can help us install this seat so its done properly?

 

Victorious4

Senior Community Member

• Feb 24, 2007

• #2

Slight tipping is fine so long as the seat does not move more than 1" at the belt path -- just keep your eye on it....

CPST finder

 

J

jenand22

New member

• Feb 24, 2007

• #3

Will using the versa-tether help with the tilting? I think we need to uninstall the seat and try again because its leaning pretty badly to one side. Also I noticed where the seat belt clicks in is kind of long (I guess its called the "female" end. Is it safe to twist it to shorten it? (I read about doing that on another post somewhere)

 

scatterbunny

New member

• Feb 24, 2007

• #4

Yes, twisting up to three full twists is safe, on the female end.

The tether might help with the tipping, but let's work on the lockoff problem(s) first, if you can use the lockoffs the tipping won't happen.

What was the problem with the lockoffs, exactly?

 

J

jenand22

New member

• Feb 24, 2007

• #5

We couldn't get the lockoffs to close over the seatbelts. I've only ever gotten it to close once and by the time I was done fighting with the stupid lock off the whole seat was VERY loose. I went ahead and installed the seat again behind the front passenger's seat. I couldn't get a good install in the middle because of the weird seatbelt. It has two clips and we couldn't get the lock off to close because the seat belt was extra thick on the first clip. (I think they made it that way so you could unhook the seatbelt to lay the seat down flat. ) Plus the buckle was too long so it was getting in the way when we were trying to tighten the seatbelt. So in the middle we had two buckles that were both too long (one on each side of the carseat). It is installed now without using the lock off, but I'm going to try to get my dh out there to help me try one more time now that we are using the passengers seat. We should be able to get it tighter and be able to use the lock off in the passengers seat - hopefully!

 

Stresch

New member

• Feb 24, 2007

• #6

Are the rearfacing lockoffs on the Decathalon the same as the Marathon? We have had two problems with ours, both of which we've solved, so maybe one of these tricks will help.

The first problem was the little plastic button on the belt which would go into the lockoff. We are having the dealership remove it.

The second happened on Christmas Eve when we were reinstalling the seat in the cold and dark when we were tired and wanted to go home. The belt was slightly folded and the base wasn't lined up on the seat the usual way, so the lockoff kept popping open. If we have the seat base pushed all the way back and into the seat (and are careful that we just have two flat pieces of belt through the lock) we are fine.

 

A

arly1983

New member

• Feb 24, 2007

• #7

Yes, the rearfacing lockoffs are the same on both the Decathlon and Marathon. And we have had the same problems that Stresch had. You have to look out for the little plastic button. Also when you are trying to lock off the belts they have to be perfectly flat and in the middle of the lock off. Hope that helps.

 

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hipmaman

Moderator - CPST Instructor

• Feb 24, 2007

• #8

I find on some vehicles with thick webbing for seatbelts, the lock-offs on the Britax carseats can be hard to close. A trick I use and works most of the time, is to spread the seatbelt webbings across the width of the lock-off so that the webbings are not perfectly on to of one another, then close the lock-offs.

Hope that works.

 

Judi

CPST/Firefighter

• Feb 24, 2007

• #9

Check the book that came with your marathon, they change them a lot. If it says you can use a locking clip, leave you seat belt in ELR and use a locking clip, it will fix the tilt.

 

Dillipop

Well-known member

• Feb 24, 2007

• #10

You can't use a locking clip with any Britax seat except the regent. I would reinstall the seat making sure when you lock the belt that the seat stays upright. You can do this by rocking back and forth on the seat while you are tightening the belt. Good luck!

 

scatterbunny

New member

• Feb 25, 2007

• #11

Yep, Britax says NO LOCKING CLIPS on any of their seats with built-in lockoffs. The tips given are good, though...stagger the lap/shoulderbelt a little so they are not directly on top of each other. Get the belt tight, but just as you're closing the lockoff let up on the tension on the belt.

 

J

jenand22

New member

• Feb 25, 2007

• #12

Thanks tons everyone - we'll go out and try it today once our little girl is down for a nap. I think the problem is the webbing on the belt makes it extra thick so that's why were having such a hard time getting the lockoff to close. I can close it but it keeps popping right back open!