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Date:         Thu, 9 Nov 2006 13:38:04 -0900
Reply-To:     Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Tuovinen <mst@AK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Kids and Vanagon safety
Comments: To: PDL <pdl_749@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20061107233114.54642.qmail@web60413.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

One of the first things that you must consider is how big are your children. The six year old should still be in a booster and depending on the eleven year olds size they too might be best protected in one. The NHTSA recommendations for boosters are based on both weight and the physical dimensions of the child not just age.

As for the van you can and probably should install rear shoulder harnesses no matter whom is sitting on the rear bench. The passenger side is not too hard but does require cutting the trim panel behind the seat for access to the anchoring point. The drivers side is more involved due to the cabinets but can be done as well. Another option to consider is adding a jump seat behind the passenger front seat. The shoulder belts can be found through one or more on line vendors, you may also find them from time to time on Ebay or thesamba.com classifieds. There is also your local VW dealership or used form a salvage yard. If you do choose used parts look for a van that was not in a crash as belts that were in use during a crash should be replaced. Head rests have been added to Westys by some owners and are a good idea, just make sure that they are securely installed or they may do more harm than good.

If you want more specific information re: the proper fit, installation, and usage of booster seats feel free to pmail me. My wife is NHTSA certified for child safety seat installations, this requires a week long course with a text book the size of a phone book and must be renewed every few years.

Mark in AK

----- Original Message ----- From: PDL <pdl_749@YAHOO.COM> Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2006 2:42 pm Subject: Kids and Vanagon safety To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> Hello List, > We have an all-original 1988 Westy and would like to make it > safer for our two young children (6 and 11). We've read Go > Westy's commentaries and the rather snarky remarks in the old Car > Talk post > (http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1997/July/12.html). > I realize when many of us were growing up, the cultural mindset > was different and that this is a 1988 vehicle in 2006. Having said > that, would upgrading to 3-point belts on the bench seat be the > best step to take? How do others feel about overall kid safety in > the Vanagon? > > Thanks, > Patricia > > > www.santafejournal.blogspot.com > > --------------------------------- > Sponsored Link > > Get a free Motorola Razr! Today Only! Choose Cingular, Sprint, > Verizon, Alltel, or T-Mobile. >


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