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The seatbelt is significantly stronger anchor than the latch system. It is built to hold 250lb+ adults in place during an accident. Using the seatbelt tightened down on the base and the locking clip in place will be the safest bet regardless.
The LATCH system is for convenience, it is NOT more or less safe than properly using the seatbelt. The safest position for a child seat is in the middle position in the back seat. These trucks don't have the LATCH system in the center seat position so you have to use the seatbelt there. And the Tether is for forward facing child safety seats. As others have pointed out, go see a certified PD or Fire station to confirm your installation is correct. Don't listen to anyone on an internet website, including me, except to go see someone who has been trained and knows what they are doing.
I was in your shoes just 3 mo ago, but i ultimately decided to go with using the tether attachments over being centered. I didn’t like the loose fitment of using the seatbelt.
That's funny because the way our child base was setup, the seatbelt was FAR more solid than the LATCH anchors at the base of the seat (our base had a belt that the LATCH attachment points were connexted to, so it had quite a bit of wiggle, but the seatbelt having three attachment points made it much more secure).
Originally Posted by bwalt3rs
All modern vehicles have hooks. This is not optional.
Actually, fun fact, larger vehicles (the Super Duties fall into this category) don't fall under the same requirements as smaller vehicles and so that is not always required, though I believe Ford started adding them anyway in 2018 or so.
Originally Posted by dykzeulb
I don't think you are understanding what is needed. When I get back home I will rephrase and hopefully get answers instead of people bickering back and forth. There is a way to install the seat in the middle utilizing the ford provided hook above the middle seat. I was looking for install examples.
Rear facing seats do not use the upper tether. IF your car seat manufacturer specifies that you can connect to LATCH with a larger than 11 in gap, then you can use the latch connections from the two side seats, but there are no dedicated LATCHes for the middle seat. Generally the seatbelt method is the way to go there. Again, unless your car seat manfacturer says you can attach to a wider gap. We have it installed the same as in post #2..
Last edited by hikingwithcamera; May 28, 2022 at 01:20 AM.
Rear facing seats do not use the upper tether. IF your car seat manufacturer specifies that you can connect to LATCH with a larger than 11 in gap, then you can use the latch connections from the two side seats, but there are no dedicated LATCHes for the middle seat. Generally the seatbelt method is the way to go there. Again, unless your car seat manfacturer says you can attach to a wider gap. We have it installed the same as the first post above.
Both the car seat manufacture AND the vehicle manufacturer have to say it’s safe to attach to those points. The f150 owners manual says you can not use the latch anchor points for the middle seat position. So even if your car seat says that’s ok to do, this vehicle says it isn’t so you can’t - in this vehicle.
Both the car seat manufacture AND the vehicle manufacturer have to say it’s safe to attach to those points. The f150 owners manual says you can not use the latch anchor points for the middle seat position. So even if your car seat says that’s ok to do, this vehicle says it isn’t so you can’t - in this vehicle.
The current model owners manuals (2021 and 2022 for sure) say that it’s okay IF the car seat manufacturer says it’s okay. Post #17 shared the language that is in my F-150’s manual.
The current model owners manuals (2021 and 2022 for sure) say that it’s okay IF the car seat manufacturer says it’s okay. Post #17 shared the language that is in my F-150’s manual.
Cool. This is the 15-20 section lol. But good to know about.
Cool. This is the 15-20 section lol. But good to know about.
Here is the language from the 2020 F-150 Manual:
WARNING: The standardized spacing for LATCH lower anchors is 280 mm center to center. Do not use LATCH lower anchors for the center seating position unless the child restraint manufacturer's instructions permit and specify using anchors spaced at least as far apart as those in this vehicle.
The lower anchors at the center of the second row rear seat are spaced 652 mm apart. The standardized spacing for LATCH lower anchors is 280 mm center to center. You cannot install achild restraint with rigid LATCH attachments at the center seating position. LATCH compatible child restraints (with attachments on belt webbing) can only be used at this seating position provided that the child restraint manufacturer's instructions permit use with the anchor spacing stated. Do not attach a child restraint to any lower anchor if an adjacent child restraint is attached to that anchor.
Here is the language from the 2015 manual:
WARNING: The standardized spacing for LATCH lower anchors is 280 mm center to center. Do not use LATCH lower anchors for the center seating position unless the child restraint manufacturer's instructions permit and specify using anchors spaced at least as far apart as those in this vehicle.
The lower anchors at the center of the second row rear seat are spaced 652 mm apart. The standardized spacing for LATCH lower anchors is 280 mm center to center. You cannot install achild restraint with rigid LATCH attachments at the center seating position. LATCH compatible child restraints (with attachments on belt webbing) can only be used at this seating position provided that the child restraint manufacturer's instructions permit use with the anchor spacing stated. Do not attach a child restraint to any lower anchor if an adjacent child restraint is attached to that anchor.
Relevant pages from the printed manual attached.
Last edited by hikingwithcamera; May 28, 2022 at 11:48 AM.
It’s been mentioned before but I just want to throw it out there because it’s a safety thing.
the LATCH system is for ease of use. It’s not as strong as the seatbelt. Our car seat specifically says to switch to the seatbelt method once your child hits 40 or 45 lbs.
(if you think about it the seatbelt must be designed to hold back a massive human being)
seatbelt
WARNING: The standardized spacing for LATCH lower anchors is 280 mm center to center. Do not use LATCH lower anchors for the center seating position unless the child restraint manufacturer's instructions permit and specify using anchors spaced at least as far apart as those in this vehicle.
