Can someone please answer an installation question??

[annasmom]

I should know this, but I do not. Another post got me thinking whether I have my seats installed properly?!? I have one Marathon front-facing and a rear-facing Decathalon in a 2005 Honda Odyssey. I have both installed with the seat belts (it seemed tighter than the latch), the ff is behind the driver seat and the rf is behind the passenger seat (we removed the third middle seat). I do not have either seat tethered. Please tell me if I am wrong!! TIA!

[DebbieJ]

Sounds fine, except you definitely want to tether them.

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10029.gif

[hipmaman]

It's not wrong and tethering is not mandatory in the US. If you are in Canada, then ff tethering is the law and rf is an option. But the recommendation is to tether (rf or ff) a carseat for added safety.

FF tether helps to minimise the head excursion (distance the top of the carseat will move forward in a collision). Rf is to enhance tight installation and recline angle.

[murphydog77]

Give each seat a tug right at the belt path. If the seat moves less than 1", then it's a good install. Are the seat belts locked or are you using the lockoffs? Definitely tether the forward-facing seat; head excursion is serious stuff that you want to limit. For the rear-facing seat, the tether can enhance the installation and help you get the recline you want/need.

You are right to go with whatever method gives you the tighter install :).

Heather, CPS Tech
http://www.CarSeatSite.com