top tether weight limits

How do we feel about going over stated top tether weight limits? Parental choice to go against the manual or is there a reason you really shouldn't go past stated limits? Thinking about the TrueFit, 48lb stated limit and the ProSport 52lb stated limit.

The potential benefits far outweigh the potential risks IMO. I will use one regardless of the stated limit.

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As a parent, I always use a tether for my kids in a FF seat. As a tech, I tell parents what the car manufacturer says, what the car seat manufacturer says, and let them decide. I've never had a parent decline to tether based on the weight limits.

As a tech, I follow the rules. As a mom, yes, I would continue to use the top tether for my kids.

Good news on that though, Chrysler just made a retroactive change in their LATCH weight limits for certain vehicles. It was mentioned in the July 2012 CPS Express. I'm on my phone and can't figure out how to link that. Perhaps someone else can? I spoke with someone at Chrysler who said the change is effective now and will be in the 2013 LATCH manual and new vehicle manuals. They will not be sending notice to vehicle owners and are instead relying on the CPS community to spread the word.

Does the TrueFit state a 48lb top tether limit in its manual? I feel like I missed a thread somewhere.

Just to clarify, you are asking about car seat limits, right, not vehicle limits? I would prefer not to tether past the car *seat* limit (although I used the ProSport for a 56lb child once, and couldn't bring myself to disconnect the tether,) so generally I would choose a different HWH seat for a child exceeding those limits. I'm very "meh" on vehicle limits.

Obviously this is as a caregiver -- as a tech I always explain the controversy to the parents and allow them to make the choice, but I don't think I've ever had that problem with vehicle tether limits.

CTPDMom said:

The potential benefits far outweigh the potential risks IMO. I will use one regardless of the stated limit.

Sent from my iPod touch using Car-Seat.Org

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Pretty much this. The only exception I can think of is in regards of vehicle limits, and seats that require the tether. I would not use a Frontier in harness mode after 65 lbs because the tether is required after that point and is past pretty much all vehicle tether limits. In other cases I figure there is a chance of it failing, but if it doesn't it's an extra. With the Frontier past 65 lbs the chance of the tether failing is still there, but in this case the purpose of the tether is not an "extra" so I'm not comfortable with it being used.

I hope this made sense.

Ladyl said:

Pretty much this. The only exception I can think of is in regards of vehicle limits, and seats that require the tether. I would not use a Frontier in harness mode after 65 lbs because the tether is required after that point and is past pretty much all vehicle tether limits. In other cases I figure there is a chance of it failing, but if it doesn't it's an extra. With the Frontier past 65 lbs the chance of the tether failing is still there, but in this case the purpose of the tether is not an "extra" so I'm not comfortable with it being used.

I hope this made sense.

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What about vehicles that defer to the car seat manufacturer? Say a Toyota or a Lexus?

I agree that the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks in regards to vehicle limits. I will personally not use a FF seat for my children without a tether unless there is absolutely no other choice. As a tech, I give the information on limits to the parents, but also inform them of the risks and benefits as we know them and let them make a choice. I've yet to have a fully-informed parent choose not to use the tether.

I've yet to have a seat come in that has a limit on the top tether usage and a child that was anywhere near that weight (I've had one ProSport, and the kid was like 35 lbs. and was going to outgrow by height way before 52.) I personally will not purchase a ProSport because of this particular restriction and the way they've handled inquiries about it. I have never seen a 48 lb. limit for using the top tether on the True Fit mentioned before...

Mommy0608 said:

Good news on that though, Chrysler just made a retroactive change in their LATCH weight limits for certain vehicles. It was mentioned in the July 2012 CPS Express. I'm on my phone and can't figure out how to link that. Perhaps someone else can? I spoke with someone at Chrysler who said the change is effective now and will be in the 2013 LATCH manual and new vehicle manuals. They will not be sending notice to vehicle owners and are instead relying on the CPS community to spread the word.

Click to expand...

From July 2012 CPS Express

"Chrysler Group Announces Changes to LATCH Weight Limits
CPS Techs asked and Chrysler Group listened. Last year at Lifesavers, Chrysler Group’s CPS Advocate, Audrey Eagle, heard the call to re-examine weight limits for using tether anchors in the company’s vehicles. At the time, its weight limit was 48 pounds (child weight) for all lower anchors and tethers. This limit also applied if the tether was used with a seatbelt, meaning that caregivers should disconnect the tether when using a higher weight harness child restraint. This year at Lifesavers, Mrs. Eagle was pleased to announce that Chrysler Group has revised tether weight limits for most of its 2013 model year vehicles.

Instead of limiting the use of the tether anchor to 48 pounds (child weight) the new guideline is to follow the CR manufacturer’s recommendations when using a tether with the seatbelt to secure a child restraint. The tether anchor can be used, if recommended by the CR manufacturer, up to the forward facing weight limit of the child restraint. This change is being made retroactively to the start of production of the current tether design for the affected vehicle families.

List of affected vehicles:

http://sk.convio.net/site/DocServer/Chrysler_Group_LLC_Updated_LATCH_Weight_Limits.pdf?docID=27221

Chrysler Group has also revised how it defines weight limits for lower anchorages. In keeping with NHTSA’s recent rulemaking for FMVSS 213, Chrysler Group is redefining its lower LATCH anchorage limits to be 65 pounds total weight (child + child restraint), with or without a tether. All Chrysler Group vehicles will change to this redefined weight limit.

Caregivers can call Chrysler Group’s customer service center to find out weight limits for their vehicles. The updated weight limits will also be included in the 2013 LATCH Manual.

Submitted by Audrey Eagle, Sr. Specialist & Child Passenger Safety Advocate, Chrysler Group LLC (Auburn Hills, MI)"

I'm referring to car *seat* limits. I'm meh on vehicle limits and was leaning towards using the tt past the limits. The tf's manual on pg 21 states the maximum child weight for latch and top tether is 48lbs. Then on pg 50 it says to use top tether for all forward facing installs.

Austin weighs 52ish lbs and currently rides in a fr85 in dh's and mine vehicles, a gn in gma's. Three across in dh's car is a little more difficult and the prosport is a little more narrow, I haven't actually tried it out, it arrives today but I know it has a stated 52lb limit for the tt, I would prefer to use it anyway. Last time I had one, he was already on the top slots but he's slowed down some so I'm hoping he still fits. It could be a non-issue if it doesn't fit anyways, but I was curious on the top tether thing. He's even with the TF top slots uninstalled, haven't tried it installed, but I plan to use that with E or T rfing instead, but wanted to know in case I do have to use it ffing for my nephew on occasion.

That sounds like a manual error more than anything. I'd have no issue using tethered since it says to elsewhere in the manual. Of course you can call for clarification.