Aaack, help for a friend!

4boysmom

New member

• Jun 13, 2010

• #1

Ran across this fb post:
"we got a carseat safely installed in the pickup so Daddy and the Girl can go on an Adventure!
We couldn't use the seatbelt because it was non-locking retractable on both the shoulder and the waist! So we made our own LATCH connection by bolting a hook through the floor. "
2 hours ago
-----------
I told her I hoped she was joking and asked for make and model of said pick up and said I would find a non jimmy-rigged solution. Help! She used to be local but has since moved to the Boise area so I can't take a look first hand.

ETA: vehicle is a 1989 Chevy S10

 

Last edited: Jun 13, 2010

rachelandtyke

Well-known member

• Jun 13, 2010

• #2

Isn't that what a locking clip is for? (if it truly won't lock)

http://www.carseatsite.com/lockingclips.htm

 

4boysmom

New member

• Jun 13, 2010

• #3

I can't decide if the truck might be one of those that has a seperate lap and shoulder belt... it is likely an older p/u iirc.

 

4boysmom

New member

• Jun 13, 2010

• #4

I think I am going to faint!

"No, not joking Lisa! I trust Dh's ability to install hardware that will withstand "forces of impact". We used the LATCH belt that came with the seat to attach to a hook he installed bolted to the frame of the vehicle. The seatbelt has a retractor at the top AND at the bottom. The waist and the shoulder slide freely and supposedly lock in an impact. Neither have the feature where you can pull it ALL the way out, and then have it retract to a locked position. If the strap across the waist was fixed then I could use the locking clip."

Is this fixed with locking clip?

 

4boysmom

New member

• Jun 13, 2010

• #5

update vehicle is a 1989 Chevy S10. She has posted a few other tid bits and seems receptive, though pp seemed a bit less more recent follow ups seem receptive.

 

Qarin

New member

• Jun 13, 2010

• #6

We were just discussing that kind of seatbelt. It can be only be fixed, and that somewhat controversially, with a Belt Shortening Clip, which is not a parent-friendly device.

 

rachelandtyke

Well-known member

• Jun 13, 2010

• #7

This has some more info the other link I posted didn't have on types of seat belts:
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/lockincss.aspx

 

monstah

New member

• Jun 13, 2010

• #8

The anchors used for installing car seats are a certain metal and shape that absorbs energy in a collision. For example, some metals shatter when sudden crash forces are applied while some metals absorb and/or are designed to warp with the force.
Also, the lower LATCH anchors are not single bolts, it is one piece:

Not:
bolt space bolt

It looks like:
anchorbaranchor (all attached)

That's why you often can't use LATCH in the center seats of even the newest vehicles (there is no bar.) Would they understand if you explained that?

http://www.safekids.org/in-your-are...ory=sort+by+event+type&submit.x=15&submit.y=6

 

Last edited: Jun 14, 2010

urchin_grey

New member

• Jun 13, 2010

• #9

She obviously doesn't understand how big those forces can be. Explain weight x speed to her and ask her if she can say, without a doubt, that these "bolts" will hold thousands of pounds of force.

She is using her child as a crash test dummy, and I don't see the "tests" going too well.

 

Carrie_R

Ambassador - CPS Technician

• Jun 13, 2010

• #10

No, no, no... that is a bad, bad plan.

How old is the child in question? Can they use a booster?

Jimmy-rigging a LATCH system is a terrible, potentially deadly idea. If she trusts her husband's handyman skills vs. crash forces, then she clearly does not understand crash forces. My father is an extremely talented handyman (he's singlehandedly remodeled our basement several times,) and a great mechanic, but I would never EVER trust him to jimmy-rig my child's safety equipment.

The best case sceario would be to not have the child ride in that vehicle at all. Secondly, if the child is at least four years old and forty pounds, they could ride in a booster. If neither of those are options, they need to go see a *very* experienced tech in regards to a third option. (A BSC, which is one of the few things I learned how to do in my tech class that I didn't already know from this board.)

I shudder to think what could happen if they insist on riding like that, and there's an accident. It could be very, very bad news.

 

D

DahliaRW

New member

• Jun 14, 2010

• #11

A ride safer travel vest may work well in this situation as well, especially if the child is not booster ready.

 

An Aurora

Senior Community Member

• Jun 14, 2010

• #12

This is the situation a belt-shortening clip was made for. I'd refer her to a tech in her area.

 

4boysmom

New member

• Jun 14, 2010

• #13

Kiddo just turned 3 a few days ago. I will email her with the highlights from this thread.

 

4boysmom

New member

• Jun 14, 2010

• #14

Someone posted a link to how to find a local tech earlier but now I don't see the link. Help!

 

Jeanum

Admin - CPS Technician Emeritus

Staff member

• Jun 14, 2010

• #15

Here's the listing (by geographic location) of CPSTs who are car-seat.org members and willing to help out: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=59135


Here's the link to the Safe Kids Technician Locator: https://ssl13.cyzap.net/dzapps/dbza...tegory1=TAB9_CERTSEARCH&Webid=SAFEKIDSCERTSQL