Question Tether Redundant?

Unregistered · Sep 8, 2014

Had a tech tell me that the tether in a Recaro Performance Sport (harness mode) was somewhat redundant if installed using the shoulder belt, but I've always been nervous about not using a tether for a FF seat. Any thoughts?
Trying to figure out configuration for secondary vehicle that has limited anchor positions so it would help to not have to use the tether, but not if it's not safe.

Alternatively, would switching to booster mode be safer than FF harnessed with no tether? DS is almost 5, tall but only 40 lbs. Not worried about maturity in booster, just that he's barely 40lbs. Thanks in advance!

jess71903 · Sep 8, 2014

This would be one of those gray areas. The tech probably said that because Recaro requires the tether to be removed at 52lbs child weight. After that, you are supposed to use a lap/shoulder belt installation if still using it harnessed. In my mind, a ProSport with a lap/shoulder belt is better than another seat with a traditional belt path untethered, but I still tether whenever possible. Of course, that is just based on a visual assessment from a non-engineer like myself. No actual data.

I don't think boostering would be safer necessarily, but neither would harnessing, assuming he is consistently over 40lbs. Boostering will likely allow just as much or more head excursion as no top tether in harnessed mode.

Patriot201 · Sep 8, 2014

jess71903 said:
This would be one of those gray areas. The tech probably said that because Recaro requires the tether to be removed at 52lbs child weight. After that, you are supposed to use a lap/shoulder belt installation if still using it harnessed. In my mind, a ProSport with a lap/shoulder belt is better than another seat with a traditional belt path untethered, but I still tether whenever possible.

:yeahthat:

maramarrie · Sep 10, 2014

I'm not a tech, so I can't really comment about it providing "no more" resistance than the shoulder belt would. However, I would tether it for a child that hasn't reached the recommended weight limits. In our vehicle, there is a more noticeable amount of movement when the tether is slightly loosened -- more noticeable than when I press back into the seat and snug it up. I have mine installed with the lap/shoulder belt and top tether for a 40# 5 year old. I cannot imagine how much more movement the top of the seat gets without that top tether. The whole install is more secure with the tether in my vehicle.

Dillipop · Sep 10, 2014

Didn't recaro get rid of the tether limit and make it retroactive? I believe that the tether is now recommended up to the limits of the seat.

jess71903 · Sep 10, 2014

Dillipop said:
Didn't recaro get rid of the tether limit and make it retroactive? I believe that the tether is now recommended up to the limits of the seat.

I would love it if that's so!! If I read that somewhere I forgot about it.

Dillipop · Sep 10, 2014

jess71903 said:
I would love it if that's so!! If I read that somewhere I forgot about it.

http://carseatblog.com/29326/recaro-prosport-recall/

Halfway down this blog post about the sticker recall on the prosport requiring new stickers to limit that latch weight to 40 pounds, there is a blurb about all recaro seats.

Question Tether Redundant?

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