Lap belts with kids

[mike9009]

Being in the 'mumsnet' era of motoring, wonder if anyone can help with this? We have a 1981 T25 camper conversion.

There are three, three point seat belts ( the front seats and one rear facing seat). At the rear there is a bench seat with lap belts which my six year old daughter uses with a booster seat. There are no head restraints.

I feel she is a little vulnerable/ exposed to any potential whiplash injuries if we have an accident.

Any simple suggestions other than fit three point seat belts - which will mean some welding?

My son is currently two years old and wife wants to travel up front. (if there are alternatives here?)

Mike

[SpamDisco]

These might fit?

http://www.multimac.co.uk/home

[mickyveloce]

Should the worst happen, and someone crash into you with your children in the vehicle, you would never forgive yourself if you hadn't invested in the safest restraints possible.

As someone who enjoyed riding in my fathers XJ6 whilst perched a leg astride the rear pull-down armrest, modern improvements in safety, and far more cars on the road, mean I consider safety paramount in my cars these days.

I got some three-point harnesses made up for my SL at quickfitbs, and they were excellent.

Using a booster seat which extends a child's head above the height of the seat is bonkers; safety is nothing to do with mumsnet, it's about protecting your kids' lives.

[mike9009]

mickyveloce said:

Should the worst happen, and someone crash into you with your children in the vehicle, you would never forgive yourself if you hadn't invested in the safest restraints possible.

As someone who enjoyed riding in my fathers XJ6 whilst perched a leg astride the rear pull-down armrest, modern improvements in safety, and far more cars on the road, mean I consider safety paramount in my cars these days.

I got some three-point harnesses made up for my SL at quickfitbs, and they were excellent.

Using a booster seat which extends a child's head above the height of the seat is bonkers; safety is nothing to do with mumsnet, it's about protecting your kids' lives.

Thank you, hence my post!

Mike

[alolympic]

You will need to do your research and do a lot of thinking. It's worth it though.
I have been through similar, may not help all that much, but some stuff I have learnt may help.
Firstly, the safest seating position, is in the centre of the rear seat, furthest from any impact. Sitting a child on one side is more dangerous in the case of a side impact.
A child, once they have grown out of a rear facing seat, is safest in a full seat with backrest, not just a booster. A booster just helps to ensure an adult seat belt is at the right height across their shoulder, it offers no protection as such. A seat with good side protection helps protect their head in the case of a side impact, but importantly, their head needs to be within the head protection, not forward if it. Watch some test crash videos to see what I mean. I Have just bought a Cybex Solution Q fix after trying 4 other potential seats, based on it having the best deep side cushions for the head, good test results, and isofix. Not cheap but I can't believe that can ever be a factor for something so important.
You may be able to fit an isofix bracket to the chassis. I have done this on my Triumph. You just need to buy a bracket that will fit the shape of your floor, bolt it in the correct position. I used Audi ones like this, cheap off eBay http://www.vwkd.co.uk/ISOFIX/ISO7.jpg
Isofix provides a very solid anchor for a seat, minimising seat movement.
In terms of belts, a lap belt is next to useless for a child. Check out a video of how violently a crash test dummy is thrown forward with no upper support. Not sure if it will fit, but Securon do these - http://www.securon.co.uk/seat_belts_firstframe.htm
Some of their other 3 point belts have a retractor that can be fitted in many different positions. E.g. 254.
Good luck.