Top tether anchor

[Destiny]

Hello, I drive a 1996 Chevy suburban, and realized this vehicle does not have top tether anchors. I contacted the dealership and they ran out of the retrofit kits back in 2010 and are not able to obtain any more. Is there anything I can do? Or places I can get the kit?

 

[murphydog77]

Hello, I drive a 1996 Chevy suburban, and realized this vehicle does not have top tether anchors. I contacted the dealership and they ran out of the retrofit kits back in 2010 and are not able to obtain any more. Is there anything I can do? Or places I can get the kit?

Hi. Sorry, but they really are all gone . A couple of things you can do: 1. rear-face your child to the highest weight/height limits you can (see https://carseatblog.com/51982/rearfaceto50pounds), then move them to a belt-positioning booster seat once they outgrow RF if they are over age 4 and mature enough to sit in a seat belt, or 2. use a forward-facing carseat that has a belt-tensioning device, like Graco's SnugLock or Nuna's belt tensioner, that really connects the carseat tightly to the vehicle seat. While crash forces will still cause belt stretch and vehicle seat cushion compression, having an installation that's mechanically tightened can't hurt.

 

[ketchupqueen]

You could also consider using an anchor provided by a car seat manufacturer. There are still a few being made.

 

[zeo2ski]

Hey if that's true that they are no longer available, I believe I still have one--we had '98 and '96 suburbans until a couple years ago and got the retrofit tether in maybe 2009-2011ish from the dealer. I'll mail it to you

 

[SafeDad]

You could also consider using an anchor provided by a car seat manufacturer. There are still a few being made.

Just to expand on this, be sure the anchor kit is made by a reputable car seat manufacturer. For example, many special needs manufacturers like Roosevelt and EZ-On have such anchor kits. Please avoid cheap anchor kits that may be found on Amazon (or other websites) from random overseas third party sellers.

 

[Marakbai]

I realise this thread is old, but hoping someone can help. I have a 2011 BMW 3 series convertible, and in Canada it does not come with a top tether hook. Do you happen to know the part list to have this retrofitted, or can you recommend a car seat for my 4 and 2 year old, both to be forward facing? Thank you!

 

[ketchupqueen]

I realise this thread is old, but hoping someone can help. I have a 2011 BMW 3 series convertible, and in Canada it does not come with a top tether hook. Do you happen to know the part list to have this retrofitted, or can you recommend a car seat for my 4 and 2 year old, both to be forward facing? Thank you!

Hi!
In the US, certain convertibles do not have tether anchors. I'm guessing this is one of them (although I didn't know the exemption applied in Canada!) There is no way (and no place) to retrofit these vehicles.

Unfortunately, in Canada there are also no seats that can legally be used forward facing without a tether anchor.

There is no safe and legal way to transport your children forward facing in this car. You should use higher-limit rear-facing convertible seats until they are old enough to sit properly (usually about 5-7 years old depending on individual development) and meet the stated minimums in height and weight for a booster.