Interesting information regarding LATCH

[mariamommy]

I knew latch anchors had weight limits. That's supposedly information we should have known for years now but with all the high weight harnessing seats on the market, its becoming more of an issue.
Vehicle owners manuals do make it difficult to figure out what the limits are though. I hate how confusing it is for people to figure out.

[jjordan]

Originally Posted by craigwick Depends on the vehicle...if the seatbelts don't lock into place on their own you need one (DH drives an ancient car so we use them in it, and the back row of our newer van, the seatbelts just don't lock the way they should so I use it there too.)

Yes, there is the occasional car that requires a locking clip, which is why I said that seatbelt installations *usually* do not require locking clips.

Originally Posted by myblessedbaby My britax has a built in lock off, but with the radian I had to figure out to use the locking clip. Wouldn't all seats that don't have a built in lock off require the locking clip? I know it also depends on the type of seat belt. My car has a self locking seat belt in the center, but not on the sides.

Unless your car is quite old (I think older than model year 1996), or your car was purchased outside the US/Canada, then all the seatbelts are required to lock. Occasionally a locking clip is necessary on a locking seatbelt because locking the belt can cause the seat to tip and become unstable over time. But MOST of the time, a locking seatbelt eliminates the need for a locking clip. Seats with built-in lockoffs offer an alternative to locking the seatbelt.

[Tommys_Mommy]

Wow, I am so glad I saw this. Our manual for our van doesn't mention anything about a LATCH weight limit that I have seen. I guess I'll be installing with the belt today!

[ktmelody]

Originally Posted by Tommys_Mommy Wow, I am so glad I saw this. Our manual for our van doesn't mention anything about a LATCH weight limit that I have seen. I guess I'll be installing with the belt today!

What year and make is it?

[swrlgrl105]

Im only asking this just becasue I have never tried and i make DP install the seats because I have absolutely NO uppser body strength, but can you use LATCH and the seatbelt install at the same time? That way if LATCH fails, the seatbelt still has it safely?

[ktmelody]

Originally Posted by swrlgrl105 Im only asking this just becasue I have never tried and i make DP install the seats because I have absolutely NO uppser body strength, but can you use LATCH and the seatbelt install at the same time? That way if LATCH fails, the seatbelt still has it safely?

No. You can only use one. Since both are not tested at the same time it isnt safe.

[swrlgrl105]

I havent checked the manual for my 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe but I just read the entire section on LATCh for my 2012 Suzuki Kizashi and they flat out do not mention ANY weight limits. DS weighs 36 lbs and his car seat is pretty heavy, so I think I will just seatbelt it since its too close for comfort

[EmilytheStrange]

Originally Posted by ktmelody No. You can only use one. Since both are not tested at the same time it isnt safe.

really?

cause logically it would seem doubly protected............
but I guess not.

I was planning on doing both, but I guess I will just switch to the seatbelt.

[swrlgrl105]

Originally Posted by EmilytheStrange really? cause logically it would seem doubly protected............ but I guess not. I was planning on doing both, but I guess I will just switch to the seatbelt.

Yeah thats exactly what I was thinking too. I was thinking "if LATCH fails, and the seatbelt is also installed super tight, then the carseat still wont move and is extra safe."

I dont see how LATCH being installed will get in the way of the seatbelt also being installed...... unless one hinders the ability to get the other super tight?

[DalesWidda]

Originally Posted by swrlgrl105 Im only asking this just becasue I have never tried and i make DP install the seats because I have absolutely NO uppser body strength, but can you use LATCH and the seatbelt install at the same time? That way if LATCH fails, the seatbelt still has it safely?

http://babyproducts.about.com/od/car...f/LATCH_SB.htm