Does Britax allow

jenfrogmom

New member
The d ring to go around the driver or passenger's seat belt stalk? I know I would never do it, but the guy at the local Britax retailer is installing seats like this. I fix every one I see that is done this way.
 
ADS

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Yup! As long as it's not interfering with the seatbelt. It's a non moving bolted part of the car forward and down from the carseat, right?

I prefer not to, but I have. Usually with an unused belt, though.

Wendy
 

Cryssy Jane

New member
I responded to this last time it was asked. Yes as long as the seat belt stalk it's on is not in use.

Sent from my iPhone using Car-Seat.Org
 

hrice

New member
Yup! As long as it's not interfering with the seatbelt. It's a non moving bolted part of the car forward and down from the carseat, right?

I prefer not to, but I have. Usually with an unused belt, though.

Wendy

I responded to this last time it was asked. Yes as long as the seat belt stalk it's on is not in use.

Sent from my iPhone using Car-Seat.Org

OK that makes sense. The actual stalk does not.
 

jenfrogmom

New member
He does it around the top of the stalk. Nowhere near the floor. Sorry, I know I asked this twice, but I just want to be 100% sure. The last one he did was around the driver's seatbelt stalk.
 

cryswilkins

New member
It is permitted, but you then can not use the seat belt for an occupant in the position that you tethered to.

Think of it as double dipping, in a crash that belt would be taking force from the rear-facing tether AND the person that it is restraining. It's not tested that way, and we don't know what could happen.

I personally, would rather see a non tethered rear-facing Britax seat than an unrestrained passenger.

Sent from my iPhone. Please excuse my auto correct.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Actually, I've been told by a couple people who seemed to know what they were talking about that there's no reason you can't use the seatbelt if you RF tether to the anchor for it. And their explaination made sense.

I totally understand why you can't TETHER (like temporary tethering a FF seat) to a seatbelt and then also use it. But I am not convinced that the forces put on a seatbelt anchor by a strap wrapped around it that a seat is RF tethered to would in any way interfere with the seatbelt protecting the occupant. The forces are working in different directions. In a rear-impact crash, the anchor takes a bit of force, mostly dissipated by the length of the d-ring strap, but the seatbelt only restrains the occupant on "rebound." In a frontal crash, the seatbelt restrains the passenger, then the anchor only takes rebound forces. In a side-impact, that's probably the riskiest because both are going the same way- but I still think that most of the force would be dissipated along the length of the strap as it stretches, and not enough would hit the anchor to endanger the occupant.

Now, I find it horribly inconvenient, so I almost never do it. But I've done it once or twice.
 

cryswilkins

New member
Actually, I've been told by a couple people who seemed to know what they were talking about that there's no reason you can't use the seatbelt if you RF tether to the anchor for it. And their explaination made sense.

I totally understand why you can't TETHER (like temporary tethering a FF seat) to a seatbelt and then also use it. But I am not convinced that the forces put on a seatbelt anchor by a strap wrapped around it that a seat is RF tethered to would in any way interfere with the seatbelt protecting the occupant. The forces are working in different directions. In a rear-impact crash, the anchor takes a bit of force, mostly dissipated by the length of the d-ring strap, but the seatbelt only restrains the occupant on "rebound." In a frontal crash, the seatbelt restrains the passenger, then the anchor only takes rebound forces. In a side-impact, that's probably the riskiest because both are going the same way- but I still think that most of the force would be dissipated along the length of the strap as it stretches, and not enough would hit the anchor to endanger the occupant.

Now, I find it horribly inconvenient, so I almost never do it. But I've done it once or twice.

I get what you are saying, but how do we really KNOW what would happen? Have there been any IRL tests performed? (I am not being snarky, I am really asking.)

I also agree that its really a PIA to do, I almost always am able to find a better place to put the D-ring.
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,655
Messages
2,196,895
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

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.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

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

Top