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tam_shops
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2012
Posts: 1531
Location: Vancouver BC
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 Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2019 9:30 am Post subject: Re: 3-Point Rear Seat Belt Install |
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Hi,
Very nicely summed up.
For an older/heavier, forward face child I'd go with the Britax Frontier:
https://www.amazon.com/Britax-Frontier-ClickTight-...s&th=1
I like both the Britax and Diono seat you linked. The Britax one is easier to install (well/easy), but won't last as long Rear facing (RF). The Diono will last longer RF, but requires more skill to properly install.
I'm not sure it's a review that goes against the GW TAs. I don't like, nor did the senior tech that helped me with my set up, anything that goes through a cabinet. If you remove that upper cabinet, then, I'd love the GW TAs position. The same goes for seat belts that go through the closet. The reason bring, in a crash, the force could push/pull/move that cabinet into your child's head.
For young children, I'd install the GW lap shoulder belt passenger side and lap only belt driver side (unless you have no closet). With TAs as needed for Forward Facing (FF). Eventually, you'll be able to use the lap shoulder belt for a booster. It's the driver side lap belt when your kids get older and out if seats that will need to be addressed. Since most States have similar car seat regulations as U.S. In Canada, I wouldn't go with any of the alternative seat belt options until the kids are legally out of seats (here 9yo). That said, my 13yo just outgrew his last seat last summer. I'd have had to move my fridge and use the jump seat, or illegally use the 86y I have, but he now sits up front because DH was voted out of the camper because he hates camping and gets grumpy. 
Tam
| RVAGreen wrote: |
Great information and options here. Having read this several times through, to safely secure my 3.5yo and 1yo (20.5# in infant car seat) and satisfy these desires:
-no welds;
-no belt installation through the cabinet;
-ideally matching belts;
-not interfere with lower bed/camping;
-ideally invest in something that will grow with the children;
I believe my following options, or rather steps are:
1) Using only existing lap belts, rear facing:
purchase/install rear facing car seat and infant insert base; Brittax Boulevard (couldn’t find rear facing weight for Brittax Frontier) or Diono Radian for toddler and I'll have to check the specifications for the Brittax infant base, check the manual to see if base can use only lap belt. Will eventually require new seat for baby in all vehicles. Ouch. Are there any other extended weight, rear-facing seats to consider?
@ $300 ea https://www.amazon.com/Britax-Boulevard-ClickTight...s&th=1
@$200 ea https://www.amazon.com/Diono-Radian-Convertible-Ch...s&th=1
2) Add Tether Anchor (TA) for forward facing car seats/detachable harness: I recall Tam suggesting the GoWesty TA received some poor reviews and identified the EZ TA ITEM #100H http://ezonpro.com/e-z-on-accessories/��
@tam_shops had some great info on TA installation here:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=309271&start=80
3) Harness to tether?:
EZ 86Y: https://www.ezonpro.com/our-products/conversion-vests/item-86y-car-cam/
Corbeau 3 or 5pt: https://corbeau.com/other/harness-belts/3-point-double-release-harness-belt.html
https://corbeau.com/3-inch-5-point-camlock-harness-belts.html
Wesco Performance: https://www.wescoperformance.com/2x2-crow-utv-4pt-y.html
4) Add 3pt shoulder belt retracting seat belt, although I’m still unclear where the retracting coil lives when camping?* Just to be clear there’s no way to avoid driver side through the cabinet I’m not interested in that option).
GoWesty, 3pt retracting: https://www.gowesty.com/product/seat-belts/24717/3...t-side-?v=
Pull off 2001 Jetta; are other years also compatible
*watch out for Bently measurements and belt angle
5) Eventually add head rest and head rest anchor:
Anchor: https://www.vwbusshop.de/epages/GuenzlClassicParts...255070211A
Headrests: ideally pulled
Sorry for this, I’m just trying to get it all in one place… so given how old/tall/weight the kids are now, I believe my best options are #1, graduate to #2 and #3 and eventually #5?
Guidance wanted.
Thanks. |
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1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic
Making it special:
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RVAGreen
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2019
Posts: 12
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 5:00 am Post subject: Re: 3-Point Rear Seat Belt Install |
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Too funny about DH, we had a no grump/bring less stuff pact before I purchased; we'll see how long that lasts!
| tam_shops wrote: |
For an older/heavier, forward face child I'd go with the Britax Frontier:
https://www.amazon.com/Britax-Frontier-ClickTight-...s&th=1
I like both the Britax and Diono seat you linked. The Britax one is easier to install (well/easy), but won't last as long Rear facing (RF). The Diono will last longer RF, but requires more skill to properly install.
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Diono- pros: folds down, longer rear facing, price; cons: harder to install
Britax Boulevard- pros easier to install, has lock offs for use with GW shoulder belt; cons: won't last as long as Diono rear facing, price
Consider Britax Frontier for forward facing, I'm assuming using a shoulder belt or TA?
I ordered the Diono, but am thinking perhaps I should have gotten the Britax. 
| tam_shops wrote: |
For young children, I'd install the GW lap shoulder belt passenger side and lap only belt driver side (unless you have no closet). With TAs as needed for Forward Facing (FF). Eventually, you'll be able to use the lap shoulder belt for a booster. It's the driver side lap belt when your kids get older and out if seats that will need to be addressed. Since most States have similar car seat regulations as U.S. In Canada, I wouldn't go with any of the alternative seat belt options until the kids are legally out of seats (here 9yo).
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Yass! I was thinking about this in the middle of the night.
Use GW shoulder belt for passenger side when needed to go forward facing, making sure the seat has automatic locking retractors (ALR) or get a belt adapter, is there such a thing? I suppose this would be the ideal location for that Britax Frontier.
For the driver side, since I have a cabinet, use the lap belt for rear facing and a TA for FF. I had envisioned installing TA at the floor. Is there a better set up or seat for this set up?
I'm tentatively thinking using the infant car seat and Diono (pending install complexity) for the time being and then working my way towards the passenger side GW shoulder belt with the acquisition of the Britax Frontier. Ideally, I'd love to have matching seats, but I can get over that for safety.
Thanks so much, Tam. |
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tam_shops
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2012
Posts: 1531
Location: Vancouver BC
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| Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 10:22 pm Post subject: Re: 3-Point Rear Seat Belt Install |
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I am the Queen of bringing too much stuff, nobody ever complains when I have what we need...
| RVAGreen wrote: |
Too funny about DH, we had a no grump/bring less stuff pact before I purchased; we'll see how long that lasts!
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The sad news is, there is no *perfect* seat for any one child, and all vehicles...Try it, if you like it keep it, if not Amazon has never refused anything I've tried to return!
| RVAGreen wrote: |
| I ordered the Diono, but am thinking perhaps I should have gotten the Britax. |
For car seats, you can use lap only belts both Rear AND Forwrad Facing. If you get seats with out lock offs, I'd get lap only belts, especially since yours are so young, you'll be using them for a long time...You *only* need a lap shoulder belt for an older child that is in a booster.
| RVAGreen wrote: |
Yass! I was thinking about this in the middle of the night.
Use GW shoulder belt for passenger side when needed to go forward facing, making sure the seat has automatic locking retractors (ALR) or get a belt adapter, is there such a thing? I suppose this would be the ideal location for that Britax Frontier.
For the driver side, since I have a cabinet, use the lap belt for rear facing and a TA for FF. I had envisioned installing TA at the floor. Is there a better set up or seat for this set up? |
^^Yes, absolutely for the Driver side and eventual Frontier seat.
| RVAGreen wrote: |
I'm tentatively thinking using the infant car seat and Diono (pending install complexity) for the time being and then working my way towards the passenger side GW shoulder belt with the acquisition of the Britax Frontier. Ideally, I'd love to have matching seats, but I can get over that for safety.
Thanks so much, Tam. |
^^Yes, also to using the infant seat as long as the child fits in it for height and weight, the smaller the better when camping.
The Frontier is a Forward Face (FF) only seat, you can certainly FF a 3.5yo, I always advocate for safety first, which is to the maximum of the height/weight of the child for the seats you have. Now, that said, if the child is 3.5yo and 38lb, I certainly wouldn't be buying them a RF seat that only goes to 40lb. I love car seat shopping, and kids grow too fast, no way. You could also for the first year, swap the seats from the car into the Vanagon, and go for the Frontier next year....
Locking Clip:
Link
Britax Lock off is the blue thing at @38 seconds:
Link
Now, if the GW lap shoulder belts are still ELR only, then you'll need one of those two things for ANY car seat. Britax seats have it built in. Radian seats need the silver clip. OR a lap only belt.
Installation of a Diono:
Link
The Car Seat Lady on how to install a RF seat by pushing on it (be careful not to break the foam) and wiggling. It's the technique I use most because I am small.
https://thecarseatlady.com/video-installation-tips...ing-latch/
Also, you can twist the female end of the belt 3 complete turns--but no more, in order to shorten the belt stock, so you get a better fit for the Radian. I will also add, by doing all this, you are going for safER. This is a 30yo+ vehicle, it doesn't have modern safety features and the car seat lady herself said to me, personally, that I've gone to all the trouble for modern day car seats...and she worried that in a crash there were still going to be problems. I don't recall her exact phrasing, but certainly remember, she didn't like it...and belongs to virtually every tech I know which believes kids belong in cars following along the RV. OR in the truck with a trailer. Simply because there are too many projectiles in the RV.
That all said, how many of you have seen trailers fish tailing on the highway? Because I see it all the time and it freaks me out. Trailers too large for the vehicles and drivers that lack skill...
Finally, if both of your children are RF, how are you going to secure your load in the back, so in a crash it stays there? I use buckets, and have head rests. I put the pillows/sleeping bags on top. My simple rules is, if you don't want something thrown at your child's face, don't have it near them in the vehicle. This includes hard plastic/metal water bottles and toys.
tam
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1987 Vanagon Westfalia GL Automatic
Making it special:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=545885 |
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RVAGreen
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2019
Posts: 12
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 6:02 am Post subject: Re: 3-Point Rear Seat Belt Install |
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| this is awesome, Tam. Thank you so much for talking us through this and posting the links/videos! |
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RVAGreen
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2019
Posts: 12
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2020 11:12 am Post subject: Re: 3-Point Rear Seat Belt Install |
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@tam_shops
Hello again,
The nearly 2yo is ready to get out of the infant insert seat and the 4yo is now 35lbs. Based on the earlier recommendation, I'm thinking I'll move the 2yo to the Diono rear facing and purchase a Britax Frontier FF for the 4yo.
Before doing so, I just thought I'd check to be sure a new seat hasn't come out that I should consider.
thanks in advance! |
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bimao
Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2015
Posts: 6
Location: Brooklyn
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slapin
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2020
Posts: 20
Location: CA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2020 7:56 am Post subject: Re: 3-Point Rear Seat Belt Install |
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| Looking for some guidance regarding steps after the belt is bolted to the D pillar. Do you have to remove the entire bench seat to reach the original seat belt bolt that is on the side of the car? If so, any tricks to this or just remove all the bench bolts and get after it? |
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VicVan 
Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2015
Posts: 2000
Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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| Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2020 9:04 am Post subject: Re: 3-Point Rear Seat Belt Install |
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The one on the side is not easily accessible, but doable wothout disasembling the bench, using a flat wrench (17mm ? Not sure)
As for underneath the benchm no need to disassemble. Just lift the seat and there it is.
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MamaVeg
Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2017
Posts: 1
Location: Sacramento, CA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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Where did you get this seat belt kit. The one on Go Westy that I can find has the retractable part at the base of the seat and shows them anchoring in reverse together at the center back by the rear door in the roof, and in a narrow back seat of a Westy. I have a TinTop Vanagon with a full 3 seat bench so this won't work. I want the kind like you have.
| Envious wrote: |
Here you go. Took about 20 minutes to install and clean up last night. Perfect fit and works great. I only installed the passenger side into my 84 Westfalia.
I removed the two small screws that hold the panel along with the screws for the curtain wire and tie back. When I pulled the panel back a little, I could easily see the factory plastic plug in the mounting hole. After a coule of measurements, I drilled a hole big enough to get my phillips screw driver through the panel to remove the plug then I made a clean 3/4" hole with a hole saw to finish the job.
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Altoona
Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2011
Posts: 604
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| Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2022 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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| MamaVeg wrote: |
Where did you get this seat belt kit. The one on Go Westy that I can find has the retractable part at the base of the seat and shows them anchoring in reverse together at the center back by the rear door in the roof, and in a narrow back seat of a Westy. I have a TinTop Vanagon with a full 3 seat bench so this won't work. I want the kind like you have.
| Envious wrote: |
Here you go. Took about 20 minutes to install and clean up last night. Perfect fit and works great. I only installed the passenger side into my 84 Westfalia.
I removed the two small screws that hold the panel along with the screws for the curtain wire and tie back. When I pulled the panel back a little, I could easily see the factory plastic plug in the mounting hole. After a coule of measurements, I drilled a hole big enough to get my phillips screw driver through the panel to remove the plug then I made a clean 3/4" hole with a hole saw to finish the job.
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The one you are looking at is for the Eurovan. Search their website for KT-122-VANO |
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scotty timmerman
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Joined: January 10, 2010
Posts: 1050
Location: gigharbor W.A
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