What the heck do I do with this?

glockchick

New member
Odd tether strap "accident" - added pics in reply

I just had the weirdest thing ever happen.

As dh was pulling away just now, I heard a really loud noise. I'd describe it but I can't. Kinda of a scraping, something rubbing up against something noise. I heard it from in the house with all doors and windows shut so it was loud.

I went out to see what the heck it was and the tether strap on ds's MA must have been shut in the door of the truck last night when we got home from fireworks. It had gotten under the tire/wrapped around the wheel or something. :eek:

There is a definite malformation of the tether strap where the wheel hit it and another where it must have been through the door. It's smooth and warped like it got stretched. I'll get pictures this evening. Dh was in a hurry and wouldn't wait for me to take some. :p

Placing the second malformation where it would have been through the door pulls pretty hard on the seat. Is the seat still ok? Obviously the tether strap isn't. Can I replace just the strap?

PSA - Tie up the long tails of your tether straps. :p
 
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carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants
I think that would have pulled pretty hard on the seat. I don't know if I'd be comfortable using that seat again.
 

glockchick

New member
I think I feel the same way. :eek:

Doesn't Britax have a thing on the tether that shows whether or not its ok? Or is that Radian that I'm thinking of? Going outside to check the Britax seats in my car...
 

glockchick

New member
I looked at the one in my car and I doubt they are. They are sewn in. They also have several rows of red stitching. Dh has agreed if those are broken, we'll replace the seat. I'll probably replace it anyway. lol

Is that not the oddest thing ever? You should come and see it Laurie. lol

I'll take pics tonight and post them. It's just so... weird.

I'm glad the kids weren't in the seat. DH said it scared him.

I think I'm going to TRU to try to install the CA in my truck. It was pouring last time I was there.
 

glockchick

New member
Maybe I'll stop by dh's office to check it out. It's gonna drive me nuts wondering all day. :whistle:

I'll replace the seat either way, but I wanna know. :p

I tried calling Britax, but I guess they're closed today. :(
 

glockchick

New member
I am pretty sure I have read about this here before and yes the seat needs replacing, in some instances the seat is actually visually damaged.

eta:
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=98570&highlight=tether+axel

Wow. I read that thread and that sounds violent. I can't say for sure whether the seat moved or the place where the tether was closed in the door absorbed all the force. Dh didn't remember. He was pretty shaken up though. :(

The seat was in rear-facing and tethered.
 

tracee877

Active member
I have never heard of this happening before, yikes! I always, always, always make sure the tails of my tether straps are rolled up and rubber banded and then tucked into the pocket on the back of the front seat. But it's mainly because I am a neat freak and can't stand to see strap hanging all over the place lol.:eek:
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
I've heard of this happening before. Call Britax but I believe you need to replace the seat.
 

glockchick

New member
Here are the pics.

Got a bit more out of dh. He said it felt like his right rear wheel just locked up. It wouldn't turn. I'm really amazed. Now I'm torn between the CA to replace it or another Britax since the tether strap was strong enough to stop a truck. ;)

This pictures show the only flaws I found on the seat. I couldn't find any stress marks on the plastic or latch straps at all.

This is where the strap was under the wheel. It feels stiff and rough. See how it's kinda of standing on it's own?
IMG_0132.jpg


This is where it hit the door crease, about 6 inches shorter than it would with no tension.
IMG_0133.jpg


And this is the red stitching inside of where the tether attaches. It didn't pop it, but it stretched it out quite a bit. It's not like this in the Marathon I have installed in my other car.
IMG_0138.jpg
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
All tethers will do that if they get caught. Britax just happens to have long hangy-down ones. ;)
 

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