1996 Grand Caravan and Peg Perego

[Grant]

Hi,

We just inherited a 1996 Grand Caravan, and I'm finding it impossible to install our Peg Perego car seat.

Being an older vehicle, it has no anchors.

The latch plate of the shoulder belts are ever so slightly too wide to fit through the appropriate slots in the seat.

The latch plate of the one lap belt does fit, but this is in the middle of the back seat - and so provides no support - the seat would just fall over sideways.

Can anyone advise me how accommodate our seat in this vehicle?

 

[wendytthomas]

You have a Peg convertible?

The lap belt in the third row center fits through? I'm confused by what no support means. If you tighten the lap belt appropriately, the seat is too loose?

Wendy

 

[Cnidaria]

I have personally found the Peg convertible to be very difficult to install with a seatbelt, and to end up with a very tippy even if technically acceptable installation.

Actually, I would think that a lap-only belt would work well, because you wouldn't have the shoulder belt part pulling on the seat.

 

[Grant]

Actually, I would think that a lap-only belt would work well, because you wouldn't have the shoulder belt part pulling on the seat.

We did try it - once. Even with the belt as tight as it would go, the seat still tipped on sharp corners when occupied.

We are willing to spend some money if we can convert the belts or something...

 

[wendytthomas]

You cannot convert the belts.

But can we help you troubleshoot your installs?

Wendy

 

[Grant]

Any help is appreciated.

So when the seat is placed on the only lap belt - third row center - it is still too loose.

As I said, the latches on the shoulder belts are too wide - literally by as much as a couple of millimetres. It's possible I could force them through, but that seems unwise - especially as we use the same seat in another vehicle also.

We have a Primo Viaggio convertible, which we use rear facing.

 

[wendytthomas]

Do you pull the cover aside and pull the tail of the lap belt back through the belt path when you install it in the third row? Then check for movement only at the belt path?

And in the second row, if you turn the buckle slightly to try to fit it, does that work? Just work it on through a bit. Also with the cover up so you can see what you're doing.

Install a car seat like a pro: Inside / Outside Trick - YouTube

Wendy

 

[featherhead]

With the Peg I like to lie it on its back so I can see the bottom of the seat while I thread the belt through. The belt path is open on the bottom of the seat. I don't think you can access the belt path by lifting the cover.

 

[featherhead]

Do you pull the cover aside and pull the tail of the lap belt back through the belt path when you install it in the third row? Then check for movement only at the belt path?



And in the second row, if you turn the buckle slightly to try to fit it, does that work? Just work it on through a bit. Also with the cover up so you can see what you're doing.



Install a car seat like a pro: Inside / Outside Trick - YouTube



Wendy

Yeah, I just went out and checked my Peg, and this trick does not work with it. The belt path is closed on top, but open underneath the seat.

 

[mom of six]

I think the "twisting of the buckle stalk" trick needs to be introduced here.

I used to own a 1998 Caravan. It has a VERY LONG buckle and it sounds like the webbing in the latch plate is bending right at the edge of the car seat belt path preventing the locking mechanism in the latch plate from doing its job. You can twist the buckle portion of the belt a full three turns which will "shorten" the buckle. This may give you enough length so that the lap belt will successfully round the corner of the car seat belt path and stay tight.

I hope this makes sense.

Here is a thread that shows a Radian being installed in a Caravan. http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=28939 The thing of value in this thread is the picture showing the twisting of the buckle end. The other tips don't really apply to your car seat.

Good luck.