Adventures in Top Tethering

Pixelated

Moderator - CPST Instructor
2002 Chevy Avalanche (pre-UAS), with a 60/40 split. To access the tether anchor you have to flip the seat bottom forward, then tilt the seat back forward. Drop the tether anchor strap down the back, hook it on, then snap the seat back and seat bottoms back into place (don't forget to keep the buckle stalks tucked up or you're screwed!), then install the seats (with r-e-a-l-l-y long buckle stalks), and THEN reach your hand in behind to tighten the tether strap. If you are smart you flip the 40 side of the bench up to tighten the centre seat; if you are not smart you already have a seat installed there and instead have to contort yourself and have really long arms to reach into the depths of the truck to grab it and tighten. Fun times :D.

What's your top tethering adventure?!
 

Attachments

  • DSC00171.jpg
    DSC00171.jpg
    128.6 KB · Views: 142
ADS

Suzibeck

Active member
We used to have an Olds Silhouette, forget what year, 1997 maybe? It only had two anchor spots. They were for the 2nd row. They were located under the 3rd row seats where the outboard seatbelts attached to the floor. Had to flip the 3rd row seat up to reach them. PITA. I tethered to a seatbelt when I had to move my seat often because it took so long to get it tethered otherwise. It also cut into the leg room for anyone sitting back there. Thankfully, we rarely had more than 5 people in the van so the spot behind the seat could be empty.
 

Phineasmama

New member
I have been very fortunate to only have newer vehicles since having children :eek: My tethers are super duper easy to reach.
 

pumkinbutt

New member
We have an 05 Pontiac Montana and I totally feel your pain. The tethers are located on the back of the seat but you have to fold the seat back down part way to attach it. Then put the seat back up and buckle it in. UGH!!! I hate it :(
 

babyherder

Well-known member
I think my most adventurous tether adventure was when I realized that I had the tether anchor in the wrong spot (I have 3 spots but only have 2 anchors installed) so I grabbed some tools and climbed in the trunk and switched the anchor. I have a 1996 volvo sedan. You have the pull the seat forward and slide the tether strap into the trunk, put the seat back up, attach the tether by reaching into the trunk, tighten the tether, and then use the seatbelt to install the seat. I did all that in a parking lot (I keep tether hook switching tools in my trunk) and got some strange looks as I was sitting in my trunk.

The second most interesting was when I had a rf tribute and myride installed outboard and needed to but my maestro between them. So I shoved it in and then had to try to put the vehicle seat back down a little to slide the tether strap through while their were two carseats installed plus one sitting on there. (I had previously tested this 3 across so I knew how to install all 3 seats so they were independently secure).
 

Genevieve

CPST Instructor
FIL has a newer avalanche and its still the same. DH wanted to get one and I said "no way". It's way too annoying to install FF seats in.
 

AuntieKatie

New member
This makes me cringe because who else would go through this trouble? I see carseats in Avalanches all the time, and I know first hand that they are trucks that like to roll over. I walked away from mine with a broken collarbone and a handful of stitches, but what would happen to a baby who wasn't properly restrained? :( I can't think about it.
 

tiggercat

New member
Really makes you wonder that none of the engineers saw a problem with this system??
I've had the pleasure of meeting a similar system in the past, as well as the one where the access flap was like an armrest on the seat back, so there was no way to tighten once the seat was installed. So it was trial and error for tether length, non squishy vehicle seats, and of course the seat was a challenging install (locking clip, I think?) so taking it out to tighten the tether a smidge was a real pita.
Mostly my tether challenges involve the lack thereof, resulting in temporary top tethering or moving kids around or to RF or boosters to make things work.

Sent from my iPod touch using Car-Seat.Org
 

purpleinnej

New member
2002 Chevy Avalanche (pre-UAS), with a 60/40 split. To access the tether anchor you have to flip the seat bottom forward, then tilt the seat back forward. Drop the tether anchor strap down the back, hook it on, then snap the seat back and seat bottoms back into place (don't forget to keep the buckle stalks tucked up or you're screwed!), then install the seats (with r-e-a-l-l-y long buckle stalks), and THEN reach your hand in behind to tighten the tether strap. If you are smart you flip the 40 side of the bench up to tighten the centre seat; if you are not smart you already have a seat installed there and instead have to contort yourself and have really long arms to reach into the depths of the truck to grab it and tighten. Fun times :D.

What's your top tethering adventure?!

Really glad you posted this. I went down to our new-to-us Avalanche to install car seats. Knowing it was a 2002, I was all ready for LATCH, only to discover that since it was MODEL YEAR 2002, and manufactured before they were required to include it, it did not have LATCH. But lo and behold, it DOES have tethers. Then I read the instructions in the manual for how to install a seat with the tether and thought surely that couldn't be right. Did it anyways and came inside to check the blog for answers. Well, okay then, yeah, you really DO have to tether it first and then put the seat backs. Not an easy feat with one person at all. Yikes. Not sure what they were thinking on that one. That seat is never coming out.
 

Mamasboys

New member
2002 Chevy Avalanche (pre-UAS), with a 60/40 split. To access the tether anchor you have to flip the seat bottom forward, then tilt the seat back forward. Drop the tether anchor strap down the back, hook it on, then snap the seat back and seat bottoms back into place (don't forget to keep the buckle stalks tucked up or you're screwed!), then install the seats (with r-e-a-l-l-y long buckle stalks), and THEN reach your hand in behind to tighten the tether strap. If you are smart you flip the 40 side of the bench up to tighten the centre seat; if you are not smart you already have a seat installed there and instead have to contort yourself and have really long arms to reach into the depths of the truck to grab it and tighten. Fun times :D.

What's your top tethering adventure?!

Geez, that's some crazy stuff! Hmm, is it just as much fun to uninstall? I thought my 2005 Pontiac Vibe had stupid top tethers.

I've only once had to install a FF seat in it. The top tether anchors are on the floor of the cargo area, about 5 inches back from the seat, under the carpet and the cargo cover is in the way (all Pontiac, not aftermarket). I suppose they match the lower anchors, which feel like they're a hands length deep within the seat. Are people with kids not allowed to use the mat and cover, or do we cut holes in them?

We worked hard to purchase the nicest, safest car we could on our meager income; I'm not about to cut it all up or let groceries and stroller become projectiles. So we're "going Swedish"--DS2 is RF till 5 or so, then straight to booster.
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,656
Messages
2,196,896
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