RF TA for 8-passenger Sienna

autumnlily

New member

• May 13, 2009

• #1

Where is the TA for middle row, middle seat of an 8 passenger Sienna (2007 LE)- for Rear Facing? I removed a plastic piece to install at the bottom of my driver seat but when anchored it interferes with moving the seat back and forth (power seat). The straps actually shorten and the seat starts to recline further.

I did the same thing for the front passenger seat, but it is not a power seat and just didn't seem to interfere the same way with the anchoring.

My camera is dead and I'll charge it tonight so I can take pics tomorrow. I'm so so excited to have my new van and get my kids in it safely!

 

NannyMom

Well-known member

• May 14, 2009

• #2

If it's the center seat 2nd row, you can RF tether it to either front seat. I had mine tethered to the passenger's seat.

 

autumnlily

New member

• May 14, 2009

• #3

I have two RF's in the middle row. The passenger outboard and the middle seat. Isn't it true, that I can only TA one to each seat? I have read the manual and am still at a loss.

I'm going to get a pic posted after my DD's aqua therapy.

I'm so glad car-seat.org is available. I'm highly considering taking the CPST course... I think every group of moms should have a trained friend.

 

NannyMom

Well-known member

• May 14, 2009

• #4

Here are my thoughts on RF tethering 2 carseats to the same vehicle seat. Hopefully someone else will weigh in on the subject.

If you're tethering to the seat track, it's not actually tethering to the seat itself. Each RF tether is a seperate point on the vehicle frame. So it's not like tethering 2 seats to the same seat track. And...what if you had 3 RF seats to tether in the same row? Two of them would have to be tethered to the same vehicle seat (though different leg track).

Anyone else???

 

autumnlily

New member

• May 14, 2009

• #5

I definitey have them TA to the seat track and not the seat - so, I understand your reasoning and it sounds correct to me.

I played with the TA on the driver track and realized I could move the "knot" to the side a bit and it seemed to move it out of the way when the seat was slide back and forth. But, I would much prefer to install it on the other passenger track - as it's not a power seat and less likely to be adjusted on a regular basis.

still working on pics

 

autumnlily

New member

• May 15, 2009

• #6

Okay - finally got my act together for pics.

Outboard TA (passenger)

Middle seat RF and TA used on Driver seat
(I moved the "knot" to the outer side of the track and it stopped interfering with the sliding of the seat)

Here I have TA both seats the front passenger tracks (one on each track)
[sorry, not detailed photo of the actual TA... but how's my recline???]

 

autumnlily

New member

• May 15, 2009

• #7

Now, I noticed I have the TA threads (the part attached to the MA) tight, absolutely no slack.... should I loosen it a bit? I was trying to acheive a decent recline, not so much because the twins need it (they are over a year old) but so I could see over the seats out the right rear window. Should I use a different install to acheive the desired recline?

 

ame0312

New member

• May 15, 2009

• #8

you shouldn't use the tether to adjust your recline angle...

 

ravekiss

Member

• May 15, 2009

• #9

ame0312 said:

you shouldn't use the tether to adjust your recline angle...

Click to expand...

I second that. Just remove the slack from the tether without pulling it too tight. Using the tether to adjust recline can damage the recline mechanism on the marathon.

 

NannyMom

Well-known member

• May 15, 2009

• #10

I had the same MA in the center seat of my 08 Sienna. You shouldn't use the tether to get a better angle. It breaks the recline mechanism on the seat. If you want a more reclined andle, use a rolled towel (that's what I did). The tether shoould just have no slack, not be super tight.

good idea about moving the knott for the dring on driver's seat.

I'm also wondering, can you get the LATCH any tighter? I seem to remember mine looking tighter than that.

 

autumnlily

New member

• May 16, 2009

• #11

I had a feeling I shouldn't have the TA straps so tight. I will get a noodle or taped towel and change my recline accordingly. Thank you! and, of course more photos for approval.

The seats don't budge at the LATCH area - even when I don't have the seat tethered... so, I didn't think I need to tighten the LATCH anymore (I kneeled into the seat with nearly my full weight) - but I will definitely re-inspect it, especially if it could be tightened. Thanks

 

NannyMom

Well-known member

• May 16, 2009

• #12

autumnlily said:

I had a feeling I shouldn't have the TA straps so tight. I will get a noodle or taped towel and change my recline accordingly. Thank you! and, of course more photos for approval.

The seats don't budge at the LATCH area - even when I don't have the seat tethered... so, I didn't think I need to tighten the LATCH anymore (I kneeled into the seat with nearly my full weight) - but I will definitely re-inspect it, especially if it could be tightened. Thanks

Click to expand...

Britax used to tell you you could change the angle with the tether. Now they say no. But, it's a common mistake

If the seat is nice and tight w/o the tether, than maybe you have the LATCH tight enough. It has been a few months since I had my Marathon in my van. So I could be remembering it looking tighter than it actually was