Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 24

Thread: Baby Seat in Defender

  1. #1
    solmanic's Avatar
    solmanic is offline One Merc post away from being banned...
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Maleny, Queensland
    Posts
    2,912
    Total Downloaded
    0

    Question Baby Seat in Defender

    This is a question for those who have tie-down hooks in the cargo areas of their Defenders (I think they were fitted from 2005 onwards).

    Is there a problem with using one of these hooks as the rear securing point for a baby seat? I have seen an ADR approved horizontal bar fitted to the rear of a couple of Defenders which is to be used as the rear anchor point - but this is not an option for us as we only occasionally (in fact so far only once ever) have to put a baby seat in the vehicle.

    The new Defender rear seats certainly help with the high back and contoured base. I fitted the seat (capsule) rear facing with the regular seatbelt threaded through the shell to the buckle on the other side (as per the diagram). I then ran the top anchor straps up, over the seatback either side of the headrest and down to the floor in the cargo area where it latched onto on of the anchor points. In regular station wagons this anchor point is usually on the roof, but I can't see any difference in security with it running over the seat back to the floor unless the force of a crash was enough to totally dislodge the seat in which case I imagine everybody's FUBAR.

    The back of the front seat then pretty much wedges the baby seat in when it's slid back a bit. From my observations I had all the points connected as per the diagram and it was secure. My only question is whether or not there is some really bad reason for using the cargo tie-down point? Surely they are rated for the loads you can carry in a Deefer, and a baby in a baby seat wouldn't come anywhere near that. They sure don't look any different to the anchor points in the station wagon I removed the seat from.

    I may be being paranoid, but I'm sure we all agree this is one area where caution is warranted.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Stoneville WA
    Posts
    23
    Total Downloaded
    0
    I have used two anchor points joined with high tensile chain and rated shakles, and moved the seat to the centre. I also used bigger washers behind the anchor points to spread the load. I am not sure of the consequenses with insurance, although like you point out it seams pretty strong. the other option is to put her in the wagon area behind the dog barrier!

    I would rather put my family in a Defender than a Hyundai any dai.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Yass NSW
    Posts
    7,239
    Total Downloaded
    0
    It should be up to the job or it's not a tie down point. In my 130 I mounted the clip to the frame behind the seat. My argument being like yours if that failed then the entire back seating would be airborn and everything in the cab would be FUBAR.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    2780
    Posts
    8,257
    Total Downloaded
    0
    IIRC in the world of lifting and lugging the safe working load is calculated differently for lifting stuff and for lifting people - 4x and 10x. I suspect something similar. That being the case I doubt that load tie-downs are rated for people.

    Child Resetraints in Defender
    Which contains these links:
    Here, here, and here.

    In a 110 you go to a child restraint fitting station, contact RTA or equivalent. For about $250 or so they will bolt a 'crab' bar - white steel bar that crosses behind the seats - to the steel bulkheads.

    There are no anchor points built into Defenders, putting your own anchor points into the aluminium skin isn't really a good idea.

    Most child restraint fitting stations don't know what a Defender is, so best you know where and what before you go in there.

    PM me if you want more info.

    Cheers,
    Simon
    From what I understand there are two simple approved ways to mount child restraint anchor points in a Defender 110 - either a crab bar mounted across the back of the second row of seats, or a Range Rover style single seat mount that is attached to the floor - I think they also fold down.

    I have a copy of the ADR for anchor points sitting on my desk somewhere, I could scan and send to you if you want.

    I've been through this for the 130 - single and dual cab Defenders can't accomodate the above solutions, and in my first round of call-arounds I was given one quote for $2500 and a second suggestion that I sell the Defender because it would cost more than the price of the vehicle to install anchor points.

    From what I was told, to get approval for a custom anchor point I either had to have it so over-engineered that there was no possible risk of the anchor point breaking without the vehicle being completely destroyed, or have it tested to the point of destruction to get it approved. That's destruction in-situ, they weren't worried about what happened to the Defender.

    Or

    The short answer is no.

    Cheers
    Simon

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Bayswater North, Vic, 3153
    Posts
    1,048
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Watching with interest .......

    see below

  6. #6
    solmanic's Avatar
    solmanic is offline One Merc post away from being banned...
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Maleny, Queensland
    Posts
    2,912
    Total Downloaded
    0
    That is the thread I was probably looking for.

    Interestingly, one of the links to this PDF has contradictory information. In one place is states that you should not run the restraint over the top of the seat and down to the floor as the seat back might crush down in an accident, but in another place it says that anchorage points in hatchbacks, wagons or 4WDs may be on the roof or on the floor behind the seat???
    Last edited by solmanic; 3rd January 2008 at 07:08 PM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    2780
    Posts
    8,257
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by sschmez View Post
    Watching with interest .......

    see below
    Congratulations.

    Discoverys should come with three anchor points. Cargo barriers should have holes in them to feed the back strap of the baby seat through.

    Install the seat before the day you plan to bring the baby home.

    Cheers
    Simon

  8. #8
    ricojmax Guest
    For those living in Western Australia,
    I have had my MY15 110 Defender fitted with 3 child seat anchor point neatly installed behind the seats from Down Auto Services in Wangara.
    I managed to get away with those ugly crab bar.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  9. #9
    stewie110 Guest
    We had our child restraints in our puma fitted by http://www.assnugasabug.com.au/ they do a job similar to what ricojmax got in WA only in NSW. It cost us around 1400 and the job is superb quality. They are also capable of fitting the same style to the rear seats in a 7 seat configuration. Not sure about the 90 though.

  10. #10
    DiscoMick Guest
    I anchor the grandson's seat through the headrest bars and down to a tie-down point which is part of my rear drawers from Off-Road Systems, as I figure if it can hold a fridge it can certainly hold a baby.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Search AULRO.com ONLY!
Search All the Web!