Can you use a D-ring to anchor Monterey?

[jillianrose]

I'd like to use my Sunshine Kids Monterey in the third row of my Ford Explorer where there are no lower anchors. Can a D-ring be used to somehow anchor it the rear tether point? If so, how? If not, is there any other way to anchor this seat in the third row?

Also, this seat in the third row has a head rest that is not removable. It will push the Monterey slightly forward. Is this bad? Should I just put her in a backless booster instead?

Thanks.

 

[joolsplus3]

No, you can't add any extra straps to attach the seat to a non-LATCH position. The Monterey is tested and safe when used with no LATCH anchors at all, you may just want to have her buckle it up when she gets out of the car so it won't fly around if you brake hard or crash. If the headrest is just pushing the seat forward a little, it's probably not a big deal. If it's pushing the seat really really upright or forward..hmm.. try raising or lowering the vehicle headrest to see if that allows the seat to lay flatter against the seatback? Highbacks provide a good deal of head protection in side impacts, so I'd use it as long as possible, if possible.

 

[wendytthomas]

No, D rings are for rear facing tethering only.

Can you show a picture of how far out the headrest pushing the booster?

Wendy

 

[carseatcoach]

No, you cannot use a D-ring for anything except tethering RFing. The Monterey is fine unLATCHed. What is your child's age and size?

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks everyone. She's 8, 47 3/4 inches tall, and 52 lbs.

I'll try to post a picture later.

The headrest is not only unremovable, but also not adjustable at all! You can fold it down completely, or leave it up in a fixed position.

For now, I decided to put my 6 yr old, (44", 44 lbs) in the back row with her Britax Body Guard. She's shorter so the Britax's head rest sits right below the car's head rest. I feel more comfortable with this for now but I still need a solution once she grows an inch or two.

I just wasn't comfortable with the way the fixed headrest pushed the Monterey a few inches away from the seat. Ugh. It's so frustrating.

 

[ketchupqueen]

When you fold it down, is it like there is no headrest in that position, or does it still push it forward?

 

[jillianrose]

When you fold the seat down the head rest folds down, but not all the way. So, it's sticking straight out! Very frustrating! I wish I could take a hacksaw and chop the darn thing off!

 

[mom2juliarose]

If your 3rd row is anything like the image in this link, the headrest, when down, looks like it would push the Monterey quite a bit forward...

http://z.about.com/d/suvs/1/0/K/a/-/-/Third_Row.jpg

 

[Unregistered]

Yes, that's exactly what my rear seats look like! Thanks for posting that.