I seen a member here earlier that had a picture of a mighty tighty with a circle and a line drawn through it. I have used the mighty tighty on both car seats and seems to be the only way I can get them tight enough so they don't move more than an inch side to side. Has there been a study or something showing that they are unsafe?
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Mighty-Tite
- Thread starter Devenity
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Namegirl
Senior Community Member
Re: Mighty Tighty
They can ruin (even sever) seatbelts. They can also fly off the belt and become projectiles. In several states, they are illegal because they are a seatbelt-altering device.
It is nearly always possible to get a perfect installation without them.
They can ruin (even sever) seatbelts. They can also fly off the belt and become projectiles. In several states, they are illegal because they are a seatbelt-altering device.
It is nearly always possible to get a perfect installation without them.
Re: Mighty Tighty
There's been pictures of the Mighty Tight cutting through seatbelts. Plus they're heavy and will go flying in a collision. There are stories (from people here, I think) where it was so tight on the seatbelt that they couldn't get it off. They also stretch the seatbelt (which can lead to fraying and tears as the seatbelt stresses). The seatbelt needs to stretch in a collision, it helps slow down the stop. If you stretch it beforehand all of those forces that would go through the seatbelt are going to be transferred to the carseat and your baby.
They are death traps. Take them off. Go to a tech and have them show you how to install your seats properly if you need a hand. That's their job, don't let them just install it for you. But those are evilness in a $15 package. Your seat still isn't in properly, it's just not moving.
Wendy
There's been pictures of the Mighty Tight cutting through seatbelts. Plus they're heavy and will go flying in a collision. There are stories (from people here, I think) where it was so tight on the seatbelt that they couldn't get it off. They also stretch the seatbelt (which can lead to fraying and tears as the seatbelt stresses). The seatbelt needs to stretch in a collision, it helps slow down the stop. If you stretch it beforehand all of those forces that would go through the seatbelt are going to be transferred to the carseat and your baby.
They are death traps. Take them off. Go to a tech and have them show you how to install your seats properly if you need a hand. That's their job, don't let them just install it for you. But those are evilness in a $15 package. Your seat still isn't in properly, it's just not moving.
Wendy
ThreeBeans
New member
Re: Mighty Tighty
They are horribly, horribly unsafe and should absolutely NEVER be used.
There is never a need for an aftermarket product like that. If you are having trouble installing a seat, a tech will help you get it in properly and show you how to repeat the install by yourself :thumbsup:
They are horribly, horribly unsafe and should absolutely NEVER be used.
There is never a need for an aftermarket product like that. If you are having trouble installing a seat, a tech will help you get it in properly and show you how to repeat the install by yourself :thumbsup:
scatterbunny
New member
Starlight
Senior Community Member
Re: Mighty Tighty
The instructions for the Mighty-Tite clearly say to "Properly install the child safety seat in accordance with the installation procedures provided by both the manufacturer of the child safety seat and the vehicle."
http://skjp.com/Media/MTinstructions5_03.pdf
If you are properly installing the seat per the directions, you have less than one inch, and therefore don't need the Mighty-Tite. Furthermore, if you read your whole child safety seat manual, you'll find that aftermarket products are not acceptable. And therefore, the Mighty-Tite is not acceptable.
Glad to know my avatar is helping people.
The instructions for the Mighty-Tite clearly say to "Properly install the child safety seat in accordance with the installation procedures provided by both the manufacturer of the child safety seat and the vehicle."
http://skjp.com/Media/MTinstructions5_03.pdf
If you are properly installing the seat per the directions, you have less than one inch, and therefore don't need the Mighty-Tite. Furthermore, if you read your whole child safety seat manual, you'll find that aftermarket products are not acceptable. And therefore, the Mighty-Tite is not acceptable.
Glad to know my avatar is helping people.
azgirl71
CPST Instructor
stayinhomewithmy6
Senior Community Member
Re: Mighty Tighty
I also used to use the Mighty Tite, 3 - 4 years ago, before I knew any better. I really bought into the 'crash tested' claim on the package and used them on all of my seats in any cars that I installed them in. Once I learned that they were not safe, I threw them all away (I had 4 of the evil things!) and I still worry about the unseen damage that they could have done to the seat belts I used them on. Once the Mighty Tites were gone, I very quickly learned how to install a seat without one. Now, looking back on it, I think just having Mighty Tites and seeing that ratcheting action at work made me think that I couldn't ever get car seats installed tight enough on my own. I now know that is NOT the case and I really do believe that ANYONE can learn to install a car seat properly. Find a tech in your area... they will be more than willing to help you out.
I also used to use the Mighty Tite, 3 - 4 years ago, before I knew any better. I really bought into the 'crash tested' claim on the package and used them on all of my seats in any cars that I installed them in. Once I learned that they were not safe, I threw them all away (I had 4 of the evil things!) and I still worry about the unseen damage that they could have done to the seat belts I used them on. Once the Mighty Tites were gone, I very quickly learned how to install a seat without one. Now, looking back on it, I think just having Mighty Tites and seeing that ratcheting action at work made me think that I couldn't ever get car seats installed tight enough on my own. I now know that is NOT the case and I really do believe that ANYONE can learn to install a car seat properly. Find a tech in your area... they will be more than willing to help you out.
Stretchy Glue
New member
Re: Mighty Tighty
At a check up recently we removed a seat with the might tite, and when we inspected the female end of the seatbelt, we noticed that it had cracked the plastic on the seatbelt stalk AND caused the CR to press into the plastic of the seat breaking it.
They just aren't needed.
At a check up recently we removed a seat with the might tite, and when we inspected the female end of the seatbelt, we noticed that it had cracked the plastic on the seatbelt stalk AND caused the CR to press into the plastic of the seat breaking it.
They just aren't needed.
Victorious4
Senior Community Member
Re: Mighty Tighty
The link Scatterbunny posted is great :thumbsup: Here's why I remove any/all Mighty Tights during seatchecks....
The link Scatterbunny posted is great :thumbsup: Here's why I remove any/all Mighty Tights during seatchecks....
- there are no safety regulations for such products
- there is no organization/administration overseeing the safety of such products
- it could fail in a crash
- it could cause the carseat to fail in a crash
- it stretches the vehicle seatbelt webbing
- it's never necessary
- if the only way you can get your carseat secure is by using a Mighty Tight, then your child becomes a real life crash test dummy
- if the only way you can get your carseat secure is by using a Mighty Tight, then you must visit your local CPSTs (we usually have quite a few safe & easy tricks up our sleaves)
- if the only way you can get your carseat secure is by using the Mighty Tight, then there is a potentially fatal incompatability issue between the vehicle + carseat (try a different seat option)
Re: Mighty Tighty
Wow, I had no idea they could be so unsafe. I have looked into it a little more online but there isn't much more info about it except from the CPSafey site and the old blogs from this site. I couldn't find anything on Consumer Reports. Although, I did read a review about someone having installed on their car and got T boned at 25 mph and the mighty tighty severed the seatbelt. Then in another review a mechanical engineer was praising it. Other than that there are no official reports or studies on it. I can see now how they could be dangerous. I will be able to get the seat tight enough without it but probably not as tight as it is with the MT. I am in the pocess of changing out car seats for my oldest from a Marathon to (hopefully) a Radian 65 which should arrive in a few days. My other seat is an Evenflo Triumph I bought in 2005 which is RF.
Anyway, thank you so much for your avatar, Star. Otheriwse, I would've never known this. After I get the Radian installed I an going to get an inspection for both seats. I have needed to get an inspection anyway because I have not been able to locate a tether anchor point in my vehicle. Thanks!
Wow, I had no idea they could be so unsafe. I have looked into it a little more online but there isn't much more info about it except from the CPSafey site and the old blogs from this site. I couldn't find anything on Consumer Reports. Although, I did read a review about someone having installed on their car and got T boned at 25 mph and the mighty tighty severed the seatbelt. Then in another review a mechanical engineer was praising it. Other than that there are no official reports or studies on it. I can see now how they could be dangerous. I will be able to get the seat tight enough without it but probably not as tight as it is with the MT. I am in the pocess of changing out car seats for my oldest from a Marathon to (hopefully) a Radian 65 which should arrive in a few days. My other seat is an Evenflo Triumph I bought in 2005 which is RF.
Anyway, thank you so much for your avatar, Star. Otheriwse, I would've never known this. After I get the Radian installed I an going to get an inspection for both seats. I have needed to get an inspection anyway because I have not been able to locate a tether anchor point in my vehicle. Thanks!
Starlight
Senior Community Member
Re: Mighty Tighty
I am so glad that my avatar helped someone! It started as a joke, honestly. I had TMNT up there before. :ROTFLMAO:
But SPB (SouthPawBoston) deserves some credit too, since he's the one who actually made it for me.
Good for you for going to get your seats inspected - hopefully, they'll not just be an install service, but will provide you education about properly installing the seats by yourself! That's what they're supposed to do, anyway!
I am so glad that my avatar helped someone! It started as a joke, honestly. I had TMNT up there before. :ROTFLMAO:
But SPB (SouthPawBoston) deserves some credit too, since he's the one who actually made it for me.
Good for you for going to get your seats inspected - hopefully, they'll not just be an install service, but will provide you education about properly installing the seats by yourself! That's what they're supposed to do, anyway!
Re: Mighty Tighty
Consumer Reports should not be trusted about carseats. They're great for stoves and cameras, but leave them on the newstands when it comes to carseats. They have no idea which end of the carseat to put the seatbelt through.
Also, what car do you drive? We can look up where your tether points are, if you have them (or don't), or can give you the part number to order them in you need them. We can at least give you a vague idea if we don't know your car personally.
Wendy
Consumer Reports should not be trusted about carseats. They're great for stoves and cameras, but leave them on the newstands when it comes to carseats. They have no idea which end of the carseat to put the seatbelt through.
Also, what car do you drive? We can look up where your tether points are, if you have them (or don't), or can give you the part number to order them in you need them. We can at least give you a vague idea if we don't know your car personally.
Wendy
Victorious4
Senior Community Member
Re: Mighty Tighty
:yeahthat: You'll get lots of hits if you Google "Consumer Reports Fiasco"
stayinhomewithmy6
Senior Community Member
What kind of car do you drive? Wendy was referring to the tether anchors, not the latch system. If you have latch in your car, you definitely have tether anchors and we can help you find them!
Ok, as long as you're not using the lower anchors without the tether. The tether is required with the lower anchors (LATCH=Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren).
How is your seat installed now? We're probably seriously stressing you out, aren't we?
Wendy
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