Additional Child Safety Seat Top Tether Anchor Points T6 Caravelle

[The_Hawk]

Thank you for the pictures. I believe the picture you provided from your van is from an early model T5. Is that correct? The later models T5's and all T6's have the anchor points in the top half of the seat backrest.

Do you have the ETKA pictures for the later models?

My Van is a T5.1, the first of the 340TDI in 2010 which remained the same until the T6 (and even that didn't change much of anything at all). Those ETKA images should be from a 2015 model (which is the same as mine), I don't have anything newer unfortunately but what I want looking at was the mounting point for the seat back rest. Wondering if you could swap in just that piece (the seat base piece too if it works I suppose).

Again, assuming it actually fits in the mountings, you could grab anything from a T5, T5.1 or T6 (the older ones usually being cheaper and more available) and not care too much about condition assuming you would get it trimmed to match your current interior.

Now I'm completely making this up as I go along, but on the face of it, it does appear it might just work.

[fiox1]

Hi All,

I may have a potential solution.

I talked to another installer recommended to me by a business called Mobility Engineering. Now Mobility Engineering are the contracted go to business for RMS and for all installers (at least in NSW).

I explained the situation and he said that the best way is to install a CRAB bar variation where the mounts are actually still installed in the floor of the van. The CRAB bar is used to take the load of abnormal situation. That makes sense. If the seat is not able to take the load, then the CRAB bar will definitely account for that. Best part is that it only cost about $600 rather than the $3k required to test the in floor installation.

Some will say it will impact the boot space. Well in the 9 seater Caravelle, there is no boot space anyway and the distance bethween the back of the seat and the tailgate is only about 100mm.

Next step is to visit this alternate installer and ensure they are happy they can do it. I will keep you posted.

Regards,

[Sunny43.5]

The Crab bar would absorb the strain but it still places a certain amount of strain on the tops of the back rests as the strap tries to find the shortest route in an accident and if the seat back fails it then allows the child or seat to be propelled forward , now like I said as they have built an adult rated seat belt into the middle section it would probably still be ok . I hope you get the job sorted andglad you took my advice to try ann alternate fitting centre for asecond opinion .

[fiox1]

Hi Sunny,

My understanding is the purpose of the CRAB bar is to ensure minimal strain is absorbed by the seats. Otherwise why would it be the go to option for bench seats with no additional testing required.

When speaking to the engineers, they indicated that since the center position is rated for an adult, then from their experience, all positions will be ok. It's just that the standards and RMS do not just go by experience.

Regards,

[johntz]

Hi All,

I may have a potential solution.

I talked to another installer recommended to me by a business called Mobility Engineering. Now Mobility Engineering are the contracted go to business for RMS and for all installers (at least in NSW).

I explained the situation and he said that the best way is to install a CRAB bar variation where the mounts are actually still installed in the floor of the van. The CRAB bar is used to take the load of abnormal situation. That makes sense. If the seat is not able to take the load, then the CRAB bar will definitely account for that. Best part is that it only cost about $600 rather than the $3k required to test the in floor installation.

Some will say it will impact the boot space. Well in the 9 seater Caravelle, there is no boot space anyway and the distance bethween the back of the seat and the tailgate is only about 100mm.

Next step is to visit this alternate installer and ensure they are happy they can do it. I will keep you posted.

Regards,

Hi @fiox, just wondering how you went with installing additional anchor points? Was it possible and if so where in the van were they installed?
I'm looking into purchasing a T6 but trying to figure out how to make the most of the rear 3 seater. My dilemma is I'd like to be able to use the 3 seater in all positions in the van and having anchor points on the seat itself would be the ideal solution.
I dont understand how the van complies if I were to use it configured as a 5 seater (without the 2 2 seaters and the 3 seat in the most front position, which from my understanding, is a valid configuration) as the 3 seater has no anchor points...
Thanks in advance