5 pt harness question - what do you do w/ them when not in use?

[Joseph Dell]

So I've got my 5pt harnesses and normally i just take them out when i'm not going to the track... but I'm working on a setup where i won't have access to the rear clips for the harness anymore (new rear panel). Do most of y'all leave the harnesses in all the time or do you just take them out? I'm trying to envision how i could leave them in all the time but they seem to get in the way. oh yeah... teamtech harnesses.

Thanks in advance!

JD

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Ummm... consider wearing them all the time. My daughter's friend hit another car broadside; he hit his head, 5 out of 6 people in the other car didn't even have belts on. Skipping the big lecture, it's just that an accident doesn't have to be your fault, and having belts on (and having 4 or 5 point belts on) would have helped the innocent and the guilty. Here's a quick easy way to make them a little less effort to get on; tie wrap the lefts and rights together. Then it's only like putting on a loose vest. Easy.

 

[ViperBite]

Check to make sure your local/state laws allow for them. I can't remember which state they were not legal in my Cobra. I had 5 points as well. Also, can't remember if the issue was with DOT certification or airbag deployment.

I am assuming yours are aftermarket adds to the car, not factory installed as in a ACR.

 

[DEVILDOG]

Flip it over and behind the seat.

 

[Leslie]

Flip it over and behind the seat.

that's what I do-have them in my Z06 and I just keep them behind the seat, the lap belts clip off the hardware I have installed on each side of the seat (brey krause hardware)

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Yes, the DOT rule is that safety systems must be "automatic." Therefore, Gen 2 cars qualify with the airbags, Gen 1 qualified because of the belt roll-up feature in the door. Yes, because you could open the door with the seatbelt still in the latch, that made it "safe" and qualified.

Because 5-points aren't "automatic" in any sense, they could be illegal. However, the bolt that attaches them can be shared with the OEM belt, so you can have both.

Sorry to hijack.

 

[Dave's Big Brakes]

I keep my behind the seat when not in use

 

[Joseph Dell]

Thanks for the responses!

So do they fit behind the seat with the seat all the way back? I've thought about the "behind the seat" thing, but with the seat all the way back, I need whatever space I can get.

thoughts? I guess i ought to just go out there and try it...

JD

 

[DEVILDOG]

Thanks for the responses!

So do they fit behind the seat with the seat all the way back? I've thought about the "behind the seat" thing, but with the seat all the way back, I need whatever space I can get.

thoughts? I guess i ought to just go out there and try it...

JD

I just let mine lay on the shelf behind the seat.

 

[Vintage Racer]

Think about "just laying them behind the seat". In a crash those metal tipped shoulder harnesses will become missiles if not tied down. Picture doing a few barrel rolls in your car with those metal ends and adjusters slashing your face and poking your eyes.

If you choose not to wear them, irrespective of what the law says, get some velcro straps and tie them to something solid.

If I were going to put harnesses in my car I would install six point Willans with the crotch straps that snug up on your thighs, not your crotch.

 

[DEVILDOG]

Think about "just laying them behind the seat". In a crash those metal tipped shoulder harnesses will become missiles if not tied down. Picture doing a few barrel rolls in your car with those metal ends and adjusters slashing your face and poking your eyes.

Like you're going to come out of "doing a few barrel rolls" alive anyway! I don't believe the belts will flip back over to the front anyway.

 

[Kiaser]

crotch belt under seat, side belts tucked to each side of chair, and i keep the shoulder belts through the hole in the top part of the chair and lay my back on them (they have big cushy shoulder pads and since I have leather seats in an open cockpit car in Texas it tends to help my back from searing to the seat).

 

[GTS Bruce]

Like Kaiser except the shoulder belts go behind the seat.When I was a racer in a race car 6 pts are the only way to go.5 pts ok for occasional use.No girl or woman will ever use 6 pts in your car however.They don't like them especialy with a dress or skirt. GTS Bruce

 

[got one]

Flip it over and behind the seat.

that's what I do-have them in my Z06 and I just keep them behind the seat, the lap belts clip off the hardware I have installed on each side of the seat (brey krause hardware)

Yup...works for me.