Latch system vs seatbelt for car seat

ClaudiaStar21

hi,
I just read that they are starting to say that there is a weight limit for the latch system and car seats.
My son is 3 1/2 and 38 lbs.
has anyone made the switch to the seatbelt with their car seat?

kmc84

LATCH has always had a weight limit.

What car seat and what car do you have? Where is the seat installed?

LittleApple

We need more info in order to help you.

Seat and car

velvethelicopters

Agreed, need car seat, car and front or rear facing.

MommyAtty

I've gotten to the point where I only use the seatbelt to install. I know myself well enough to know I'm not going to monitor how much the seat weighs, how much the kid weighs, and what the standard is for my car. Also, I've found that except for infant bases, I can get a tighter install with seat belts.

ClaudiaStar21

Thank you. I have a 2008 Toyota rav-4 and a Britax Advocate 70.

kmc84

Ok, so Toyota defers to the car seat's stated limit. Britax has a 40 pound LATCH limit on their seats. The 40 pound weight limit includes clothing, shoes, full diaper, full belly. Basically if there is any chance you child may weigh 40 pounds at any given time, you must install with the seatbelt instead.

Some points to know about your car-

You can not use LATCH in the middle seat.

Since you have a RAV4, I'll give you this information, although I hope you know it already...... Due to the overlapping seat belt design of the middle and driver's side seats, the middle and driver's side seats can never be occupied at the same time. All Rav4s since 2006 have this terrible design and are therefore 4 passenger vehicles.

LATCH information can be found here:
https://csftl.org/2014-latch-changes-dont-panic

ClaudiaStar21

Thank you so much!!
I'm so glad I asked!

ClaudiaStar21

Do you know about for my mother in laws car? She has a 2015 Subaru Outback and a Britax marathon 70

kmc84

Subaru LATCH limit is 65 pounds combined weight of seat + child HOWEVER, because Britax had a 40 pound limit, the LATCH limit is 40 pounds. You always follow the more conservative number. Subaru also does not allow the use of LATCH in the middle seat.

ClaudiaStar21

Thank you!!

ebp913

Like someone else said above, I advise parents to just use seatbelt after they move out of the infant seat so that they don't have to monitor this. LATCH is safe but I know it's hard to remember when you need to switch and it can vary seat to seat and car to car.  I am a tech and I find that parents like what's easy so that's just my 2 cents.