Which combination car seat brands use a V shaped tether?

Unregistered · Mar 1, 2019

We're looking for a new combination car seat, and I'm encountering a challenge in my research. We have a 2017 Toyota Camry, with non-removable headrests. I read that we'd need a car seat with a V shaped tether to go around, rather than over the headrests. I have tried to figure out which car seat brands have a V shaped tether, and the only one I can find is Britax. Unfortunately, we have used a Britax Frontier in this car, and we have had lots of trouble tightening the harness straps. Do you know if there are other companies that use a V shaped harness?

If not, are there any solutions you have encountered to the harness straps tightening problem in the Britax Frontier? Thanks for your help!

ketchupqueen · Mar 1, 2019

As far as I know Britax is it. However, you don't actually need a v tether. You can simply route a straight tether over the center of the headrest, as your manual shows.

The Frontier can be tough to tighten when installed. It can help to make sure the straps are fully tightened before installing so they are less likely to get caught sometimes, but many people simply don't loosen and tighten each time, just check that the tightness is still appropriate and make small adjustments as needed.

MelodyoftheForest · Mar 1, 2019

I have a Corolla of the same year and while you do not need a V shaped tether, I found that Britax was the only brand of combination seat that fit with the headrests. I don’t know if the Camry seats are different enough to allow other brands or not. We have a Pioneer and have no issues with tightening the harness straps, but the install is not as easy.

ketchupqueen · Mar 1, 2019

The Chicco MyFit also tends to work with forward-leaning headrests.

MelodyoftheForest · Mar 1, 2019

Sadly not in my Corolla. [emoji853]

ketchupqueen · Mar 1, 2019

Hmm. I seem to remember putting a Nautilus in a Corolla of that vintage without major problems?

MelodyoftheForest · Mar 2, 2019

Things will fit in the center because of the adjustable, removable, and flat head restraint there, but it makes the outboard seats uncomfortable for an adult. I spent lots of time at BRU last spring trying everything they had, and couldn't make anything work outboard other than the Pioneer. Others I could maybe install, but couldn't raise the head rest of the seat all the way because of interference with the vehicle head restraint. That is just my experience, and could absolutely be different in other situations. I don't know what little things might change from year to year that could make a difference.

Unregistered · Mar 3, 2019

Thank you for your responses. I've come to understand that the bigger issue than the tether strap is the compatibility of car seats with non-removable headrests. I emailed with a CPST, who told me that Graco seats are okay with the headrest pushing the combination seat forward. But, I looked at user manuals for the Graco Atlas and Nautilus SnugLock, and found that they do not allow the headrest to push the seat forward. The CPST also said that Britax isn't compatible with non-removable headrests, but I just looked at the Britax Pioneer manual, and it says nothing about not installing where there is a headrest. So, I am thoroughly confused. Can anyone please help?

ketchupqueen · Mar 4, 2019

The best thing to do is go to a store, try individual seats in your vehicle (if you have a Buy Buy Baby, they allow this), and see what works. If you aren't sure, take a picture and contact the company directly. The information you're getting secondhand doesn't match what I've been told by the companies before. Sometimes an exception can be approved based on individual fit, but you have to contact the manufacturer directly.

Unregistered · Mar 23, 2019

I’m running into the very same issue with my 2016 Camry. We have the Graco convertible car seat and while people are saying to put the latch over the seat headrest I also read that in an accident it could shift so I was looking into the V-shaped tether as well. Have you had any luck finding a car seat that works?

MelodyoftheForest · Mar 23, 2019

The only seats I found that didn’t run into problems with the outboard head restraints in my 2017 Corolla were the Britax combination seats (DualFit, Pioneer, Frontier, Pinnacle) and what are now the Essentials by Britax convertibles (Emblem, Allegiance). They all happen to have V-shaped tethers as well.

Which combination car seat brands use a V shaped tether?

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