Child Seat Anchor - Operation

OPERATION

All vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States and Canada are required to be equipped with a Lower Anchors and Tether for Children, or LATCH child restraint anchorage system. In standard cab models, the outboard front passenger seat has a single set of anchor provisions for installing a LATCH-compatible child seat. In quad or crew cab models, the second row seats have two sets of anchor provisions for installing a LATCH-compatible child seat. A single seat may be mounted in the center seating position, or one in each outboard seating position. In mega cab models, the second row seats have three sets of anchor provisions to accommodate the installation of a LATCH-compatible child seat in any one, or all three of the second row seating positions.

With LATCH, child seats are secured by direct attachment to the vehicle seat structure, rather than by the seat belts. With LATCH-compatible child seats, lower anchors attach to the seat structure through heavy-gauge wire loops located at the intersection between the seat cushion and the seat back surfaces.

In standard cab models, two upper tether anchors are integral to the upper cab back panel reinforcement, one each for the front passenger and front center seating positions to secure the top tether strap of child seats equipped with this feature. In quad or crew cab models, three upper tether anchor loops are secured to the upper cab back panel reinforcement to secure the top tether strap of child seats equipped with this feature. These upper tether anchors work with both LATCH-compatible and other child seats equipped with a top tether strap. In mega cab models, three upper tether anchors are integral to the upper cab back panel reinforcement, one for each of the three second row seating positions to secure the top tether strap of child seats equipped with this feature.

The owner's information packet in the vehicle glove box contains details and suggestions on the proper use of all of the factory-installed child restraint anchors.