[edwardsmom]

I have a 2000 Toyota Sienna minivan and the time has come to switch my dd to forward facing. She is 2 & 1/2 years old and I weighed her last night at 32.5 pounds, dressed without shoes. She rides in a Britax bloulevard and her 4 year old brother is in a Britax Regent.
He has been riding 2nd row behind the drivers seat, and she has been 2nd row on the other side. My problem is that there is no top tether anchor location symmetrically positioned behind that seat. I can install the top tether to a position that is more towards the center of the vehicle. Will this be OK? I am really hoping that I don't need to move someone to the back row.
Thanks for your help.

 

[thepeach80]

You'll need to read your van's manual as to what tether anchors are appopriate for each spot. Also make sure when you switch her ffing, you look in your BV manual and get the LATCH straps switched (assuming you were using LATCH when she was rfing).

 

[edwardsmom]

Thank you for your assistance. I've looked at the manual and it does not say anything about this tether location- I have perforated holes in my carpet and under that is a threaded hole into the frame of the vehicle. I went to my Toyota dealer to get the anchor, and they had never seen this part before and really didn't seem to know anything about it. My dp installed it for my ds's seat.
Also, I have only been using the seat belt and not the LATCH straps, as there is nothing in my Sienna manual about having LATCH anchors.
For the top tether, I was directed to this wonderful site: http://www.carseatsite.com/sienna.htm, but it says : " I stand by my original recommendation of consulting a Toyota-certified mechanic before installing a tether anchor in this location." So, I am at a loss. I believe the only dealership around has little or no experience with this.
I heard that perhaps a top tether can be 20 or 30 degrees off center and I'm going to measure to see how far off it is. I just saw in your signature that you are a tech: Do you know anything about this?