Date:         Tue, 15 Jun 2004 15:24:41 -0400
Reply-To:     Tim Beidel <tbeidel@MAINE.RR.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Beidel <tbeidel@MAINE.RR.COM>
Subject:      Rear seat belts
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Reading the "non-family hauler" messages made me think of a problem we have.

Our 1987 Westy has one three-point seat belt installed so that my
seven-year-old can use her booster seat properly.

Some questions:

1. The seatbelt was bolted in to the side of the van wall (point two of the
three point system) as per the VW instructions. Another Vanagon repairman
said he believed it needed to be welded in to be effective. Anyone know?

2. The belt, purchased from VW for this purpose, does not have the easiest
retraction to the snug position, and my daughter, being seven, frequently
wriggles around to the point where it is very slack. Is there anything that
can help with this. How dangerous is it?

3. Anyone effectively install a second three point belt in a Westy? Does it
bisect the closet space, or can the two (belt attached to van wall and
usable closet space) co-exist?

Tim Beidel
South Portland, ME