View Full Version : LATCH info.
My3sonsplus1
11-09-2006, 11:29 AM
Having one of those mommy lightbulb moments and I thought I would put it out there that last time I checked the LATCH system was only rated up to I think 48 pounds meaning after your child reaches 48 pounds you need to switch to using the seatbelt to secure the carseat. That is a little know fact of LATCH that "no one tells you". Each individual car maker may have a different weigh limit but the last time I really looked into it the weight limit was something in the high 48s for most if not all LATCH systems so be sure to check your vehicle seats LATCH limit if you are using LATCH and have a kiddo over 40 pounds or are just using LATCH even if your kiddo is under 40 and keep the info. in mind for later use :).
Yeah, this is why they say that after 48 lbs you HAVE to tether your seat
Lynette
11-09-2006, 01:51 PM
I didn't know any of that?! When you tether the seat, is that like they used to do at the top of the seat? Is LATCH safe to use if you tether the seat after the 40lbs+? Hmmm....I need to go find my car and carseat user's manuals it appears...
daisydoc
11-09-2006, 02:20 PM
ya.. read your manuals ESPECIALLY your carseat one b/c it will tell you when you have to tether, when to use LATCH, etc...
Some examples (from having our installed by CHP):
If you dont' have LATCH and the seat is rear facing you HAVE to tether it to the baseboard/floor of the vehicle. If you do have LATCH you only have to do the LATCH.
If you don't have LATCH and the seat if forward facing you have to use the cars seatbelt and the rear anchor tether. If you do have LATCH then you use the LATCH and the rear anchor tether.
(this is for all kiddos under about 40lbs I believe)
The rest depends on your cars LATCH limits, like Lisa said. Now Sevannah isn't 40lbs yet (I think she's around 35lbs) so I don't have to change how I have any of her seats installed but I need to re-read everything so that when the time comes I know how to make sure it's all done properly. You can never be too careful! Take the time to read everything you can so the kiddos stay safe. :)
My3sonsplus1
11-09-2006, 02:23 PM
I didn't know any of that?! When you tether the seat, is that like they used to do at the top of the seat? Is LATCH safe to use if you tether the seat after the 40lbs+? Hmmm....I need to go find my car and carseat user's manuals it appears...
Yes "tethering" is the single strap that comes from the top of the car seat and clips onto the seat back (as in behind the seat) onto a metal fused to the car clamp/loop thingee. LATCH is not safe/tested after 48 irregardless. 0-48 pounds you can use LATCH if your seat goes beyong 40 pounds (like to 65 or 80) (and 0-40 if the child seat only goes to 40) but tethering won't allow you to continue with LATCH. Tethering just makes both forms of installation safer but is not safe by itself and basically they cannot guarantee that the LATCH clips on the car will stay attached to the car after 48 pounds times the force of impact (or whatever your car manual says they may have upped it but when LATCH first came out the cars only could handle up to about 48 pounds) I think is the issue.
meeg124
11-09-2006, 04:12 PM
Lisa - thanks for posting this! I have to admit that I am really ignorant about car seat is installation and I have let Scott take care of all of this. I sent him a message to make sure Caden's car seat is okay!
Megan
My3sonsplus1
11-09-2006, 04:29 PM
Lisa - thanks for posting this! I have to admit that I am really ignorant about car seat is installation and I have let Scott take care of all of this. I sent him a message to make sure Caden's car seat is okay!
Megan
You are Welcome, glad I could be of help, heaven knows my kids rarely appreciate me :)
Who got their Husky first you or Amy (River's momma)? I am the original Britax snob converter for "fat" baybees :lol
daisydoc
11-09-2006, 04:37 PM
I must confess I am a Britax snob too when it comes to convertible car seats! That's all I have and will probably ever have. We made my MIL buy one b/c she was always complaining she never saw Sevannah enough and wanted to be able to come pick her up.... she still hasn't! :rolleyes My parents have one and plan on getting whichever new one I get when Jazper outgrows his infant seat.
After we were rearended I called SRPD and talked to their carseat specialist to see if Sevannah's seat needed to be replaced. He asked about the accident (speed, condition of cars); were there any stress fractures in the carseat; all this before he asked what Brand it was. Once had asked what brand it was he said "Britax? You could run one of those over with an 18 wheeler and it would still be fine!" Grant it I would never do that or use the seat after it had been through that but it was just nice to hear that they are virtually indestructible! :D Makes me feel better knowing how safe my kids are in them.
meeg124
11-09-2006, 04:38 PM
You are Welcome, glad I could be of help, heaven knows my kids rarely appreciate me :)
Who got their Husky first you or Amy (River's momma)? I am the original Britax snob converter for "fat" baybees :lol
I'm pretty sure we got Caden's Husky before River got his. Caden is 7 months older than River, so I think we needed it before they did :)
Megan
My3sonsplus1
11-09-2006, 04:45 PM
I'm pretty sure we got Caden's Husky before River got his. Caden is 7 months older than River, so I think we needed it before they did :)
Megan
River was 40 pounds at a year, Caden too?
meeg124
11-09-2006, 05:00 PM
I think Caden was a little over 30 pounds at a year. Amy must have cream for breast milk :lol