Roundabout 50 and LATCH

Cilia · Mar 11, 2012

Today I installed my RA50 ff in two different cars using LATCH and I hated it! I have had three different Britax seats (RA and MA classic and then this RA50) and the RA50 is by far the hardest one to install using LATCH ff. I don't really know why that is, but the ends of the LATCH connectors end up right by the base of the seat and that makes it really hard to pull the webbing tight. The angle of the connectors together with the end, not a good mix.

I have to admit that I was surprised. I chose to do a LATCH install because they tend to be quicker, but to be honest, I don't think they were. I usually just have it seat belted in and that is way easier. I will have to look at my expired RA and see if the connectors look different than on the RA50.

Has anyone else had this problem? I mean, this is always easy to install Britax we're talking about here...

canadiangie · Mar 11, 2012

Yes, I can think of a few instances where the adjusters have hit the bars. By that point the seat was more than tightly installed, though. I could have loosened things off a bit and still had a solid install. How tight is your install at the point when the adjusters hit? Acceptable? Remember, shake the car tight isn't necessary... You're looking for less than 1 inch of movement side to side at the belt path.

(or am I misunderstanding your post?)

ketchupqueen · Mar 11, 2012

The RA50 has the single strap without the two bars, right? I've only ever done it RF with LATCH and it wasn't a problem then but I found seatbelt so easy I just usually did that if I was choosing... What was the location of the lower anchors in these vehicles, out of curiosity? Very shallow, close to the bight? Or more recessed?

MoreLatte · Mar 11, 2012

I've had the exact same problem with mine rearfacing. There's something not right about the angle of the strap when latched in. There was slack in the latch belt but because of the angle, I couldn't tighten it any more. The install would seem acceptable, without more than an inch of movement but after a day or two the seat was over reclined.

I also had owned marathons in the past and never had a problem so I've been disappointed. I called Britax and she didn't really seem to get my explanation of what was happening. I finally had to install it without the recline, get it as tight as I could then recline it (RF install) and so far, so good. I'm at a point I'm ready to just replace it with a MA. I tried my RA40 in the same spot and had no issues at all.

Stelvis · Mar 11, 2012

I had that issue in the center second row of my Ody. But no issues at all with LATCH in DH's Altima.

Cilia · Mar 11, 2012

So when I re-installed the RA50 today I took some pics to show the difference in LATCH connectors and what is causing the issue.

First out is a photo of the old style connector that is on my expired RA.

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And here is one of the connector on the RA50.

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You can tell that the webbing is attached to the connector in a different way and it is the D-ring that the webbing is attached to that causes the problem.

MoreLatte · Mar 11, 2012

They are different on mine too. The strap is rotated where it's connected to the connector. Although Britax told me it isn't different.

ketchupqueen · Mar 11, 2012

Ah, the non-handed connectors are causing you a problem? Interesting. I'm thinking it would have a lot to do with positioning of the lower anchors whether it is an issue in a particular car or not.

Cilia · Mar 12, 2012

ketchupqueen said:
Ah, the non-handed connectors are causing you a problem? Interesting. I'm thinking it would have a lot to do with positioning of the lower anchors whether it is an issue in a particular car or not.

It took me a while to figure out what you meat with non-handed,

but yeah, that's why. I prefer the right handed version.

Roundabout 50 and LATCH

Cilia

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canadiangie

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ketchupqueen

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MoreLatte

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Stelvis

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Cilia

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MoreLatte

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ketchupqueen

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Cilia

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