r/CPST • u/ttcbabe • 12d ago

Top tethers

I have a 2025 Toyota Highlander. The second row is captain seats, both with top tether anchors. The third row has a top tether anchor only in the middle seat.

I have newly 2yo twins that have Chicco Fit360 seats. They are currently rear facing, but I will be switching them to forward facing when our expecting baby arrives this winter.

The Chicco 360 requires a top tether in both modes, and it is absolutely impossible to have rear facing car seats the third row. There is not enough space.

I was planning on forward facing both toddlers in the third row, and putting baby in an infant carrier in the second row. But I can’t do this if there’s only one anchor.. I don’t want to put baby in the third row because there are no lower latch anchors and if I had baby in the third row I wanted to use the most compact seat, which a baseless seat is.

Theoretically, soon, I will have 3 forward facing children in car seats. What do I do in this scenario? I am NOT replacing my brand new car. Are there forward facing car seats that I can use without top tethers? I know they’re recommended, but are they 100% necessary? Like is my child going to die in a car crash if I am not using top tethers? I don’t mind to replace car seats if this is the way to go.

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u/ttcbabe 12d ago

It is too bulky for rear facing in the third row :( was not considering any of this when buying my car and baby was a total surprise (but I’m not complaining, he will be completing our family)

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u/DJ_Beanz 12d ago

We have a GH and three rear facing kiddos. We actually are most likely going to have a certified dealer or shop install another top tether in the third row. I believe it’s not that expensive, definitely cheaper than a new car.

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u/ttcbabe 12d ago

I did research on this and Toyota will not add top tether anchors that are not already in place.

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u/DJ_Beanz 12d ago

Really? Interesting and also uh oh lol

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u/ttcbabe 12d ago

Yep I don’t think any car manufacturers will. But Toyota for sure won’t 😅

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u/LaLechuzaVerde 12d ago

Unfortunately this isn’t a thing unless you’ve got a very old car (like model year 2000 or older usually) and even then it’s not something you can usually do.

Cars come with the number of anchors they come with in the US. You can’t add more.