SuperLatch questions

Mom2FiveGirls · Mar 5, 2011

**If this belongs somewhere else, please move it. I just didn't know where to post it.

We bought a new (new to me anyway) van on Thursday. Its a 2007 Grand Caravan. Its the first vehicle I've driven that has LATCH. I ordered a Radian80SL for DD#4 to use and was reading the manual and got to wondering... Do all Dodge vehicles have a 48 lb weight limit for LATCH or just pre-2005? Can you really use the SL up to 80 lbs?

Its really not an issue for me because its installed with the seatbelt (center of the third row...the LATCH in the third row is offset so unusable to me since I have 3 kids back there), but I was just curious.

babyherder · Mar 5, 2011

In theory the latch limits of the car don't matter (after a certain year). But I wouldn't feel comfortable using latch past the car's limits.

CTPDMom · Mar 5, 2011

babyherder said:
In theory the latch limits of the car don't matter (after a certain year). But I wouldn't feel comfortable using latch past the car's limits.

Oh no no no...that's not a theory and that's not at all accurate.

Sunshine Kids says it's ok to use the SL to 80lbs. 2005 vehicles and later.

The vehicle manufacturer's have not come out and backed this.

LISmama810 · Mar 5, 2011

CTPDMom said:
The vehicle manufacturer's have not come out and backed this.

Unfortunately they haven't disputed it either, which leaves everyone in a tough spot.

There is some thought that it's typically LATCH connectors--not the anchors--that will fail first. Sunshine Kids has supposedly addressed that with their heavy-duty connectors, hence the "permission" to ignore the vehicle instructions.

Although I don't advocate ignoring LATCH limits, I think some of the limits are artificially low. Do I think Honda's LATCH will fail after 40 lbs vs Dodge's 48? No. But there's a big difference between 40 and 80.

I think it was incredibly irresponsible of Sunshine Kids to tell people to ignore their owner's manuals. They could very well be right, but I'd like some input from the manufacturers.

Bottom line: it's your choice.

I'd use the seatbelt.

BeautifulChaos · Mar 5, 2011

CTPDMom said:
Oh no no no...that's not a theory and that's not at all accurate.

Sunshine Kids says it's ok to use the SL to 80lbs. 2005 vehicles and later.

The vehicle manufacturer's have not come out and backed this.

This. Since you have a 2007 it may not be relevant for you, but if you have a 2005 model it was likely manufactured in 2004 (there is a sticker you can check on the inside of your door, or there was for us at least) and IIRC the car has to be manufactured in 2005 or later to use SL

wendytthomas · Mar 5, 2011

It's September 1, 2005. Not even 2005 as a general year.

Wendy

babyherder · Mar 5, 2011

CTPDMom said:
Oh no no no...that's not a theory and that's not at all accurate.

Sunshine Kids says it's ok to use the SL to 80lbs. 2005 vehicles and later.

The vehicle manufacturer's have not come out and backed this.

Sorry. Bad wording with the "theory" thing.

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