How to install a car seat in an RV?

In this blog post, we will answer the question: “How to install a car seat in an RV?” We will discuss the steps to install a car seat in an RV from scratch successfully. We will discuss the anchorage points, weight limitations, and other important aspects of this project. At the end of this post, you will learn how to install a car seat in an RV in less than a day.

How to install a car seat in an RV?

To install a car seat in an RV, you must follow the steps described below.

• Select the right seat

• Read the car seat manual

• Locate the anchorage points

• Check the weight and limitations

• Secure the lower anchors

• Connect the tether strap

• Position the car seat

• Adjust the harness

• Test the installation

Select the right seat

• To install a car seat, select the right seat for your RV. The car seat must serve the purpose and be a perfect fit for the RV. Most RV owners install a car seat for their children. 

• RVs arrive with the right amount of seats for adults to travel. However, children might not have a car seat. In that case, RV owners install a car seat on their own.

• The most important part is to determine the right seat. The car seat must have the desired height and weight capacity. It should also meet the safety standards and be compatible with the RVs seating configuration.

• The seat must be tested and passed through all the safety standards. Decide if you need a convertible car seat or a dedicated car seat. Knowing if the car seat will face forward or backward is also essential.

Read the car seat manual

• Every car seat arrives with a manufacturer’s manual. It is essential to read this manual to understand the functions and requirements of the seat. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines with specific instructions.

• Check the capacity of the seat and check the overall configuration. Most importantly, read the instructions for installation. You must follow the correct procedures that are mentioned in the car seat manual.

Locate the anchorage points

• Next, you must identify the anchorage points in your RV. Fixing a car seat anywhere and everywhere in an RV is impossible. The most important part is identifying where the car seat can be securely installed.

• Every RV has a designated seating area based on safety standards. They arrive with anchorage points for this purpose. Most of the modern recreational vehicles are equipped with lower anchors. These lower anchors are latch systems that have tether anchor points.

• You must refer to the RV’s manual to find the anchorage points. You can also check with the manufacturer to see if you can install a car seat in your RV. The RV manufacturer will be able to provide you with the correct information and the location of the anchor points.

• Fixing anchorage points yourself is not recommended since it is a tedious and dangerous process.

Check the weight and limitations

• Check the weight and limitations of the location where you need to install the car seat. The RV seating location must have the lower anchors and the tether anchor points. The RVs that do not have anchor points are expected to have weight restrictions.

• Use the right seating position in your RV while installing the car seat. Check with the manufacturer to confirm the weight and location limitations.

Secure the lower anchors

• Next, you need to locate the lower anchors in the RV and secure them. These anchors are usually found in the vehicle’s seat. Look around the crease of the vehicle’s seat to find these anchors.

• Fix the car seat’s lower anchor connectors to the RV’s lower anchor connectors. Add enough pressure to push down and pull up the straps to establish a secure connection.

• The straps and the connectors must be secured tight. Check to see if the anchor straps are straight and not twisted.

Connect the tether strap

• You must connect the tether strap by locating your RV’s anchor point. Locate the tether point by looking at the back of the RV seat. The tether point is usually on the seatback or the floor.

• The tether strap has to be pulled tightly without any slack and should not be twisted at any cost. Get help from another person if you cannot work on this project alone.

Position the car seat

• The right seating position is important for installing the car seat in the RV. It is essential to check if the seating position is correct and not uneven. The car seat has to be fixed perfectly and securely against the RV seat.

• Note: the car seat should not move in any direction or even move an inch forward or backward. It should be secured and firm at all times.

Adjust the harness

• The final step is to adjust the harness straps. This is an easy step, but following the manufacturer’s instructions for the right positioning and secure fastening is advised.

• The harness straps must be lightly over the shoulders of the child’s height for forward-facing seats. The harness strap has to be slightly below the shoulders for rear-facing seats. The harness strap has to be tight but not overly tight.

• You should be able to fix one finger between the passenger and the harness strap. Test this by placing one finger near the passenger’s collarbone and the harness strap.

Test the installation

• Now, it’s time to test the installation. Conduct a thorough test of the car seat installation by determining the stability and security of the seat. Look for weak areas and ensure that the seat is firmly fitted without any mistakes.

• Add firm pressure to the car seat at the belt path to see if it is secure. Move the belt path in all directions to check if functioning correctly. The best should not move more than an inch in any direction.

• Tighten the car seat or readjust the location if the seat is loose. Check if the base is level and not reclined too far.

• Get a professional to test the installation and inspect the newly fitted car seat in the RV. It is also essential to regularly inspect the car seat to check if the installation is firm and secure. 

• Remember to read the manual and contact an expert to complete this task. Getting an expert to check the safety even after the installation is advised.

Those were the few steps to install a car seat in an RV. Remember to follow the safety standards while installing the car seats. Read both manuals to get a better understanding of this process. Check the bolts and the other anchorage points to see if they are firm. You might conduct regular checks to ensure the newly installed car seat is safe and functioning correctly.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have answered the question: “How to install a car seat in an RV?” We have successfully discussed the steps to install a car seat in an RV from scratch. We have discussed the anchorage points, weight limitations, and other important aspects of this project. You have learned to install a car seat in an RV in less than a day.