Tether anchor in a captain's chair

[Pixelated]

1/2 twist in tether anchor in a Ford

I noticed in the manual for my Mom's 2005 Ford Freestar (van) that the instructions for the tether anchor were odd. I'm attaching a pic of the page. If I were to follow the instructions I would need to twist the tether strap in order to orient the hook the right way. Is this normal? Would this be the case for all captain's chairs?

 

[Judi]

The Windstar is the same way. Good catch though! I had mine the wrong way for awhile.

 

[rxmommy]

I used to have a 2004 Monterey (same as the Freestar). Wonder if I had my seats tethered wrong!

What do manufacturers say about twisting the straps, I wonder?

 

[Pixels]

Ford often recommends twisting the tether strap to hook it on "backwards." Some carseat manufacturers are okay with it as long as the vehicle manufacturer requires it; some are not. Just one more way that a child restraint might not be compatible with a particular vehicle, and it's not evident with a quick, throw it in and see if it's less than an inch movement installation.

 

[Pixelated]

Where would I look to know if a restraint manufacturer was ok with doing this (twisting the tether strap 180*)? For the record it was my radian, but my mom will have other seats in there for different grandkids. Is this somewhere in the LATCH manual? Do I need to contact the manufacturers?

What other vehicles require this?

 

[Pixels]

I'm not aware of anyone other than Ford requiring it. Of course, that doesn't mean that nobody else has that requirement; just that I'm not aware. I think it's all Ford van tethers, not just captains' chairs.

Yes, tether twisting info is in the LATCH manual. Of course if you don't have access to the LATCH manual, consult the restraint owner's manual or the manufacturer.

Britax, Graco, and Recaro do NOT allow flipping the hook. Dorel, Evenflo, EZ-On, KIDSEmbrace, Learning Curve, RSTV, and SKJP do allow flipping if acceptable by the vehicle manufacturer.

 

[Pixelated]

I just went through all of the entries in the Ford section of the LATCH manual. Not all models have this 1/2 twist requirement, but many do, and many common vehicles! This means that there are a lot of incompatibilities out there that are so obscure the owners are unlikely to be aware of it.

Per the 2011 LATCH manual, here are those that DO require the 1/2 twist, making them incompatible with Britax, Graco, and Recaro when tethered forward facing:

Econoline 08-11 in the front seat
Econoline 03-11 in the 2nd row centre
Escape 01-11 all three back seat positions
Econoline 97-00 7 passenger wagon in the front seat
Expedition 03-11 in the 2nd row (3rd row is fine)
Explorer 2011 in the 3rd row (2nd row is fine)
Freestar 04-07 2nd row and 3rd row (captain's and bench seats)
Windstar 95-03 front manual seat

Yikes!

 

[equilibrium]

What does the windstar front manual seat mean? One of the middle captain's chairs?

 

[Jeanum]

It's referring to the manually adjustable front passenger seat in the Ford Windstar, as opposed to the optional power adjustable front passenger seat. The manually adjustable front passenger seat is equipped with a top tether anchor, while the power adjustable front passenger seat is not equipped with a top tether anchor. ETA: The 2004-2007 Ford Freestar has the same 1/2 twist instruction for attaching the top tether (2004 is the Freestar's first model year - it replaced the Windstar as the minivan model in Ford's product lineup).

 

[Mama2theD]

So in this situation if a parent comes in w one of these vehicles and one of the incompatible seats what would you do? Explain both choices and let them decide? Or not top tether? Wow some of those are common vehicles- esp the escape

 

[Pixels]

The technically correct answer is to leave the seat untethered, as long as the child restraint does not require the tether. Only a few seats require the tether, and only at high weights.

 

[Mama2theD]

The technically correct answer is to leave the seat untethered, as long as the child restraint does not require the tether. Only a few seats require the tether, and only at high weights.

I know I have them listed before but which ones are those? I just don't want to be missing anything and this way it is all in one place for others to see!

 

[Pixelated]

The technically correct answer is to leave the seat untethered, as long as the child restraint does not require the tether. Only a few seats require the tether, and only at high weights.

I'm in Canada where top tethering is required. I would hate having to tell a parent their $400 Boulevard is incompatible with their vehicle.

 

[equilibrium]

Why on earth does Ford require this? My sister's van is a 1999 Windstar which I believe *might* need the same thing. She has a marathon FF installed now but I haven't taken a look.

Does anyone mind checking the latch manual for this year of Windstar for me? Much much appreciated!

I think they would just leave the tether hook on regular and not change seats...here in Canada we have to top tether.

 

[Jeanum]

Not sure why Ford states to do so. Per the LATCH manual and post #7 above, the '95-03 Windstar models require the 1/2 twist for the manually adjustable front passenger seat. It doesn't state it's required to do a 1/2 twist for tethering in the second or third row seating positions in the Windstar in the LATCH manual, but I'd cross check the Windstar's owner's manual to see what it specifically states, though, because the subsequent 2004-2007 Freestar van that replaced the Windstar in the Ford product line does state to do the 1/2 twist in the rear rows as well as the manual front passenger seat.

 

[jourdysmom]

Not totally the same topic, but on the Chevy Venture, Pontiac Montana and clones, you could NOT get a top tether on the tether anchor "correctly" and ever get it back off... It was a funky shaped hole that was a nightmare... though the TT fit great backwards (with 1/2 turn ) but isn't allowed... It was truly a crappy design!

 

[valleyfam]

It's raining tonight so I'll try to remember to look at my owner's manual tomorrow but I am very curious about the post listing only the Windstar's front passenger seat needing a twist. I have an 01 and read it to mean all seating positions required a twist. This was quite some time ago so I'm not saying it is wrong just I'd love to know for sure as I have 2 My Rides and 2 Nautilus that are used in there regularly and now seeing Graco doesn't allow the twist in the top tether strap I am very concerned. Any light shed on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[snowbird25ca]

Pixelated - I'm going to email you. I've had this discussion before but it's one that is best done through email.

 

[lovemybabies924]

can someone take a pic of this in an escape or one where the tether is on the roof? i helped my friend wrong i think...she had no manual..

 

[An Aurora]

Not totally the same topic, but on the Chevy Venture, Pontiac Montana and clones, you could NOT get a top tether on the tether anchor "correctly" and ever get it back off... It was a funky shaped hole that was a nightmare... though the TT fit great backwards (with 1/2 turn ) but isn't allowed... It was truly a crappy design!

You just need to flip the seat forward before clipping the tether on, or clip it at the bottom and then rotate it around into place.