No top tether - install with lap shoulder belt outboard or lap belt center?

EmmaCPST · Feb 10, 2012

In a situation where there is no top tether available for a FF seat, would you prefer to install with a lap/shoulder belt outboard versus a lap belt in the center?

Brianna · Feb 10, 2012

Not being a tech, I would think that center lap untethered would be better, as if there is additional head excursion without the shoulder belt, the child's head would go in between the 2 front seats. That's assuming the vehicle doesn't have a bench front seat.

Pixels · Feb 10, 2012

Center lap belt is safer due to the risk from side impacts.

luckyclov · Feb 10, 2012

Center lap belt.

luckyclov · Feb 10, 2012

Pixels said:
Center lap belt is safer due to the risk from side impacts.

It may also, depending on the vehicle, give the child a little more "open space" in front of them (for excursion purposes).

zactayaus · Feb 10, 2012

I'm going to go against everyone and say lap/shoulder because the shoulder belt part will go up high on the back of the car seat and act kind of like a tether rather than just the lap belt where the seat has a low pivot point for the seat to rotate forward on. Does that make sense? I also think I remember reading on here that there is a seat that says something along the lines of 'if installing with a lap belt only you must use the top tether or move the seat to another location where a lap/shoulder belt is available'. I don't remember what seat though and hope I didn't just totally make that up. lol.

EmmaCPST · Feb 10, 2012

Thanks guys! This is purely a hypothetical at this point, just something that wandered into my brain this morning when I had to drive DH's truck to work and drop Sam off on the way. The seat has virtually zero leg room because of a large center console, so if I were to put his seat there he would have his feet up on top of the console or squashed directly in between the car seat and the console.

I've chosen to put him outboard and move the passenger seat all the way forward when there's no one else in the car. He only rides in it maybe once a month so I'm not terribly stressed about it but it just had me thinking about all the factors to consider when I'm advising a parent in a similar situation.

Pixels · Feb 10, 2012

zactayaus said:
I'm going to go against everyone and say lap/shoulder because the shoulder belt part will go up high on the back of the car seat and act kind of like a tether rather than just the lap belt where the seat has a low pivot point for the seat to rotate forward on. Does that make sense?

Yes, and no. For most seats, that's not true. The shoulder belt is held so closely to the lap belt that it doesn't make a difference. For seats with high open belt paths, such as the old-style Britax convertibles, or seats with reverse belt path or similar installs (Regent, Frontiers, ProSport) the shoulder belt is up high enough to give a little bit of tether-like benefit.

Regardless, using the tether only increases safety by something like 9 or 16%, and being in the center vs the side is a 30% increase in safety. I would use a seat in the center without a tether before using it outboard with a real tether.

I also remember reading on here that there is a seat that says something along the lines of 'if installing with a lap belt only you must use the top tether or move the seat to another location where a lap/shoulder belt is available'. I don't remember what seat though and hope I didn't just totally make that up. lol.

Recaro Prosport, only when used with a child under 52 pounds. With a child over 52 pounds, you must use a lap-shoulder and can NOT use the tether.

No top tether - install with lap shoulder belt outboard or lap belt center?

EmmaCPST

CPST Instructor

Brianna

New member

Pixels

New member

luckyclov

New member

luckyclov

New member

zactayaus

Well-known member

EmmaCPST

CPST Instructor

Pixels

New member

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Sponsors

Forum statistics