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Old 01-22-2008, 07:03 AM   #1
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baby seats

does anyone have any suggestions on rigging a make shift latch system to be used for kids car seats. While sportsmobile has though of just about everything, this is one item I don't think they considered. I was thinking about putting an eye bolt through the metal rod that parrallels behind the seat and attaching the car seat to the bolt but wasn't sure how strong the rod is. I don't want to take any chances. any ideas would be great

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Old 01-22-2008, 08:27 AM   #2
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I'd recommend to use the provided seat belts, as we do.

If your makeshift latch system fails in an accident and your child gets seriously hurt or killed, you will 1) feel like crap, 2) most likely be charged with negligence or manslaughter, and 3) make national headline news, complete with bad police photos of your jury-rigged LATCH system. They will most assuredly also dig up your post here (and any subsequent posts) to be used as evidence at trial, or simply to be quoted (and misquoted) in the news.

Child restraint systems are designed and manufactured and put through batteries of tests by degreed professional mechanical engineers, and the auto makers shoulder the liability if something goes wrong with those systems in an accident.

It's just not worth it for a little convenience (and really, having used both, LATCH is only slightly more convenient than seat belts).
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Old 01-22-2008, 09:20 AM   #3
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I'd agree with not drilling your own holes, however I'm not sure what battery of tests Sportsmobile has put their vehicles through.

If you really want a latch you might find a qulaified offroad shop that does 5-point harnesses and roll cages and see what they think is possible or safe. Or better yet a race shop, because a lot of times I think the offroad shops just put a bar in to have somewhere to attach the shoulder belts, not for the shoulder belts.
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Old 01-22-2008, 06:38 PM   #4
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Child seats

So, when my kid rides up on the dash, I'am in big trouble!
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Old 01-22-2008, 07:18 PM   #5
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i use the stock lap belts...the side facing dinettes are safer than a child seat mounted sideways.

If you need to, you could probably mount something link this to the floor

http://www.babytrend.com/products_detai ... &LampID=61
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Old 01-22-2008, 08:00 PM   #6
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we have an RB-50 layout w/ the forward facing sofa and we just use the seatbelts to secure her child seat. yes, a bit more time consuming to strap it in but it works OK. I'd be leary of modifying the set frame, doesn't seem totally 'bombproof'. One side of seat frame has been bent down slightly from the PO (maybe 1/2" over a 2 ft span), guessing someone might have jumped down on it when in bed mode from the PH or something...

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Old 01-22-2008, 09:21 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mmocken
if you need to, you could probably mount something link this to the floor

http://www.babytrend.com/products_detai ... &LampID=61
Bolt that 'ere inta yer pickup truck bed to be all nice and legal like.
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Old 01-22-2008, 09:49 PM   #8
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Old 01-22-2008, 11:17 PM   #9
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SMB West installed latches in our rear captain's chair. Not sure if they can be added after the fact (after the upholstery is done), but it is worth an inquiry.

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Old 01-26-2008, 06:16 PM   #10
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I have our child seat installed in one of our extra Captain's chairs, using the seat belt and the metal Latch-like loop on the base of the Captain's chair. Easy install (for the Calif Highway Patrol officer).


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