We bought our van (2002 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport) for the extra seating, but there is a problemm. Only the center row seats are LATCH equipped (2 center row seats, 3 rear), the middle seat in the 3rd row has just a lap belt and a hook for a top anchor, and the other seats in the 3rd row don't have locking seatbelts!! So at first we had both kids in the center row, but we decided to separate them, and put Shane in the middle of the back row, because that's the only one we could figure out how to attach. I guess it's ok if you have belt positioning boosters, but a carseat needs the belt to lock, doesn't it? (By lock I mean you pull it all the way out, and it locks) I'm totally confused, I feel like those 2 rear seats are now useless. What are you supposed to do to install seats there? Is there something wrong with the belts? TIA!!

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 04:30 pm:

First off, it's OK to install a harnessed car seat in the 3rd row center position with a lap belt only. If I read correctly, that's where Shane is now, right? Actually, that's a good spot for him in the 3rd row because I just looked up your van in the LATCH/Tether manual and there are no tether anchors for the outboard positions in the 3rd row.

I don't know what type of seatbelts are in your 3rd row. If you're not able to put them in ALR (locking) position, that's when a locking clip becomes necessary. You could use a locking clip to install his car seat in a 3rd row outboard position but honestly, I'd keep him where he is. It has a tether anchor and the added bonus of being in the middle, away from side impacts.

Locking Clip Info:
How to Lock in a Child Restraint

By Crystal915 on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 04:49 pm:

Thanks Trina. That is where Shane is right now, but the concern becomes other children. Either when driving with friends' children, or when we have another, because there are the 2 LATCH in the middle, and the lap belt/top tether in the center rear, but as far as positioning, sometimes it's cramped and uncomfortable. I wanted to be able to use my rear seat fully and safely. Looking at the link you gave me, we have ELR seatbelts, though I haven't tried flipping the latchplate back to lock them. So if that doesn't lock them, it looks like we need to use the locking clips. I thought locking clips were only for freesliding latchplates, so now I better understand how to install them. Thanks again!

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 04:59 pm:

I don't think you have locking latchplates. Those are typically in lap belt only spots. If they're not switchable retractors (ALR/ELR) then most likely you have ELR (emergency locking) belts with free sliding latch plates. In that case, locking clips are necessary to install car seats.