buckle is in the belt slot area of regent [short route] photo included

[NWrach]

I have a DOM 11-15-07 REGENT in my 2003 Camry.

My son is 40 lbs now so I just changed it to the Lap Shoulder Bet installation - Short route [using recline bar and versa tether].

Hubby got it nice and snug but as he was removing the slack from the belt the buckle made its way up through the second belt slot [which is closest to the buckle]. It doesn't protrude and poke my son's back but is it okay for the buckle to be there?

To confirm the it's the short route [lap and shoulder belt is passing through the first belt slot from back to front, then under the cover and foam and to the back again through the second belt slot. Buckled on the outside of the recline bar].

Thanks in advance,
Rach

 

[NWrach]

Re: buckle is in the belt slot area of regent [short route]

trying to add a photo of what I'm talking about...hope it works...

 

[ketchupqueen]

Re: buckle is in the belt slot area of regent [short route]

Did you twist the buckle stalk (up to 3 full twists) in order to pull it away from the seat?

 

[NWrach]

You can twist the buckle stalk? I didn't see that mentioned in the booklet.

Before hubby pulled the slack out of the belt, the buckle was near, pressing on the recline bar, is that better than in the belt slot?

 

[murphydog77]

You can twist the buckle stalk? I didn't see that mentioned in the booklet.

Before hubby pulled the slack out of the belt, the buckle was near, pressing on the recline bar, is that better than in the belt slot?

It's OK for the buckle to be touching the recline bar. My concern is that something could possibly jab at the red release button on the buckle and cause it to unbuckle and you wouldn't notice. So, either give the buckle a half twist so the latchplate is covering it up or like KQ mentioned, twist it up to 3 full twists to change its position. The 3 full twists will shorten the buckle stalk (the webbing portion of the buckle) and pull it away from that opening in the belt path.

Twisting the buckle stalk does reduce the strength of the webbing, but it's still quite safe up to 3 full twists.

 

[NWrach]

Back from the garage...all sweaty from wrestling with the Regent.

Gave the buckle stalk two twists and now only the belt is hugging the car seat. But the seat isn't as snug as hubby had it.

Another question: I have a Husky DOM 1-11-2005...it's good for another year, right? [life span is 6 years?] :scratcheshead: I just might store the Regent for another year and use the Husky.

 

[KirasMommy]

Per Britax, you cannot have the buckle in the belt path. That's why my Regent is currently for sale. The buckle stalk in the Windstar is rigid and cannot be twisted. I got a decent install (no movement) with the short belt path, but the buckle was in the belt path like the picture you posted. I called Britax about it and they said no.

Glad you were able to twist the buckle stalk. As long as the seat has no more than 1" of movement side to side or front to back at the belt path, then your installation is good.

 

[murphydog77]

Back from the garage...all sweaty from wrestling with the Regent.

Gave the buckle stalk two twists and now only the belt is hugging the car seat. But the seat isn't as snug as hubby had it.

Another question: I have a Husky DOM 1-11-2005...it's good for another year, right? [life span is 6 years?] :scratcheshead: I just might store the Regent for another year and use the Husky.

Yeah, that short belt path is evil. One trick that I use is to not even get on the seat but to stand in front of it and use my knees to push against the front of it as I pull the belt tight.

Britax seats are good for 6 years, so yes, the Husky is good for 1 more year.