Retrofitting ISOFIX in a Motorhome | DIY Construction & Installation Guide

ISOFIX im Wohnmobil nachrüsten | Eigenkonstruktion & Montageanleitung

📋 Table of Contents & Overview

Self-Construction, Pros & Cons
Important Safety Notice
Installation Instructions & Accessories
Request Construction
Gallery / Installation Impressions

ISOFIX Retrofit

Self-Construction of an ISOFIX Retrofit in a Motorhome

Background:

In my GiottiVan motorhome, I was unable to perform an ISOFIX retrofit according to the manufacturer and after consulting with the seat belt anchor manufacturer CTA-Europe. Although ISOFIX retrofit kits are available for similar constructions, unfortunately nothing was offered for this model. Therefore, I decided to develop my own solution to further stabilize the child seat.

Advantages:

Increased Stability:

With my self-built ISOFIX bracket, I ensure additional stability for the child seat. This minimizes swaying or slipping of the seat during travel, which is a big advantage, especially on longer journeys or uneven roads.

Unchanged Primary Restraint:

The child seat continues to be secured by the vehicle seat belt, which is very important as the vehicle seat belt is the main safety device and is officially tested and approved.

Custom Fit:

With the help of a metalworker friend, I was able to custom-fabricate the bracket without interfering with the original vehicle mounting. This gave me a tailor-made solution that perfectly fits my vehicle.

High-Quality Materials:

For the construction, I used 6 mm thick V2A flat steel, a robust and durable material that is ideal for use in vehicle construction. This makes the bracket durable and secure.

Disadvantages:

No Testing and Approval:

My self-built construction is neither tested nor officially approved.

Personal Responsibility:

Since the construction was carried out on my own initiative, the responsibility for its safety lies entirely with me. This entails a certain risk, as no independent body has checked the construction for its safety.

Complexity of Assembly:

The production and assembly of the bracket require special expertise and craftsmanship, especially in working with metal. This could pose a challenge and potentially lead to errors.

Conclusion:

With my self-built ISOFIX bracket, I have created a practical solution to better stabilize child seats in motorhomes. It provides additional safety but carries certain risks due to the lack of testing and approval. It is important that you are aware of your personal responsibility and potential legal consequences if you choose this solution.

↑ Back to Table of Contents

⚠️ Important Safety Notice:

It is extremely important that you never use this ISOFIX construction as the primary restraint for the child seat. The vehicle seat belt must always remain the primary restraint, as only this is officially tested and approved. The ISOFIX bracket serves only for additional stability, not as a substitute for the belt.

↑ Back to Table of Contents

Installation Instructions for the ISOFIX Construction

Preparation:

Removal of Seat Cushions:

Start by removing the seat cushions and the wooden panel underneath. It is not necessary to remove any further wooden panels.

Disassembly of Seatbelt Buckles:

Unscrew the seatbelt buckles to gain access to the attachment points. These will later be used for mounting the ISOFIX construction.

Mounting the ISOFIX Construction:

Attaching the ISOFIX Construction:

Attach the ISOFIX construction to the original mounting points of the seatbelt buckles. These points are stable and provide a secure base for the additional bracket.

Using a Longer Screw:

Replace the original screw with a longer screw. This screw must be a standard screw that matches the seat belt screws with 7/16 UNC / UNF thread. (Grade 5 = strength class 8.8)

Securing and Tightening: