Synchro246
New member
What exactly are these and how does one discern forward-of-the-bight belts from non-forward-of-the-bight belts?
Just curious
Just curious
-
Welcome! CLICK HERE to ask a question about the best carseat or safest choice for your family. Visitor posts subject to approval.
What are forward-of-the-bight belts?
- Thread starter Synchro246
- Start date
ADS | |
CDNTech
Senior Community Member
Forward of the bight belts are seat belts that do not come from the vehicle crease. You know the crease where the bum and the back of the vehicle seat meet? Seatbelts should come out of that crease.
Sometimes the vehicle seatbelt comes out of a hole in the bum portion of the vehicle seat. It is nowhere near the crease. These are forward of the bight seatbelts.
My '03 Dodge Grand Caravan has forward of the bight seatbelts in the 3rd row split bench. They make installing certain seats very difficult!
Sometimes the vehicle seatbelt comes out of a hole in the bum portion of the vehicle seat. It is nowhere near the crease. These are forward of the bight seatbelts.
My '03 Dodge Grand Caravan has forward of the bight seatbelts in the 3rd row split bench. They make installing certain seats very difficult!
scatterbunny
New member
The "bight" is the vehicle seat crack, where the seat back and seat bottom meet, where seatbelt buckles usually are mounted.
In some vehicles, seatbelts come out not from the bight, but from the seat bottom itself. This makes carseat installation difficult in most cases.
Here's what my forward-of-the-bight lapbelt looked like (it came out of a "hole" in the vehicle seat bottom; the buckle itself wasn't forward of the bight, just the belt itself):
In some vehicles, seatbelts come out not from the bight, but from the seat bottom itself. This makes carseat installation difficult in most cases.
Here's what my forward-of-the-bight lapbelt looked like (it came out of a "hole" in the vehicle seat bottom; the buckle itself wasn't forward of the bight, just the belt itself):
Synchro246
New member
THANKS guys!
Are there cars that have buckles forward-of-the-bight? Does that count for install purposes?
Are there cars that have buckles forward-of-the-bight? Does that count for install purposes?
scatterbunny
New member
Yes, I think there are, but I don't know makes/models offhand. They would pose the same sort of problems; one side of the carseat fits tightly against the vehicle seatback, and one side (the side with the forward-of-the-bight buckle or belt) is loose.
The "official" fix for this (per tech training and testing) is to top tether the seat, but that will just add stability at the top, it won't help an install that's loose at the belt path get any tighter.
The "official" fix for this (per tech training and testing) is to top tether the seat, but that will just add stability at the top, it won't help an install that's loose at the belt path get any tighter.
My Sweet Blessings
New member
my graco snugride says not to use "lap belts forward of seat crease" if that helps.
scatterbunny
New member
You know, I wonder why they say that? With my forward-of-the-bight lapbelt, the ONLY thing that holds tight are rear-facing seats, and infant seats are the EASIEST!
InTheWoods
New member
My '05 Toyota Sienna van has 2nd row captain's chairs w/ forward of bight belt stalks.
Sucks, because 5yo DS is nearing 48 lbs. and I need to start thinking about installing his Wizard w/ the seat belt...if I don't get a tight fit, I might move him to a booster.
Kristin
Sucks, because 5yo DS is nearing 48 lbs. and I need to start thinking about installing his Wizard w/ the seat belt...if I don't get a tight fit, I might move him to a booster.
Kristin
canadianmom2three
Active member
Jenny, Is that the husky you have installed in your forward of the bight photo? or is there some other seat that can be installed with the long belt path? I have always thought if I could just do the long belt path install with the Radian it would work great with our seatbelts...
scatterbunny
New member
No, it's the Fisher Price Futura, discontinued in 2001. Mine expires next year (they were good for eight years), and Hayley's too tall for it now/almost too tall for it, depending on the vehicle. The Futura ONLY allowed the reverse belt path (the reason why i can't buy SK's line that the Radian's sides are too weak for the reverse belt path).
Victorious4
Senior Community Member
Our 1997 Honda Civic HX 2 door also has buckles forward of the bight in the outboard positions -- but without the hard plastic thingy shown in Jenny's MPV.... Center seat buckle comes from the bight nicely, but it has a difficult hump to wrassle with :dizzy:
Husky works best in all 3 positions using the reverse/long belt path (like the Futura shown above) except that Britax no longer allows this with a lap only belt: so Cosco seats install better in the center :doh: I'm grappling with the parental decision to just use the Husky outboard (since Leila is even with the top slots of the Apex that we've had in the center) or use the reverse/long belt path in center with top tether (retrofit by me) :question: :scratcheshead: I know this would void Britax liability, but it's such a small car & there's so little space between the rear & front seatback so I really prefer her in the center :shrug-shoulders:
Husky works best in all 3 positions using the reverse/long belt path (like the Futura shown above) except that Britax no longer allows this with a lap only belt: so Cosco seats install better in the center :doh: I'm grappling with the parental decision to just use the Husky outboard (since Leila is even with the top slots of the Apex that we've had in the center) or use the reverse/long belt path in center with top tether (retrofit by me) :question: :scratcheshead: I know this would void Britax liability, but it's such a small car & there's so little space between the rear & front seatback so I really prefer her in the center :shrug-shoulders:
scatterbunny
New member
Oh, so you're grappling with the same issue I had in my van. 
No fun at all.
CARSEAT COMPANIES, HEAR OUR CALL--
We need more seats with the reverse belt path!!!
No fun at all.CARSEAT COMPANIES, HEAR OUR CALL--
We need more seats with the reverse belt path!!!
Victorious4
Senior Community Member
Yeah -- at least she'll only ride in the vehicle for the summer & on vacations since it'll stay with Daddy on the Rez while we use public transportation in the Bay
Victorious4
Senior Community Member
You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.
 |  |  |
Please Support Car-Seat.Org with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC