opinions needed on best/most comfortable seatbelt harness

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Cruiser Clint

Cruiser Clint

Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Threads
44
Messages
442
Location
Indianapolis, IN
I would like to get some opinions on the best/most comfortable seat belt harness. I like the idea of an easy to use lap belt with an easy to attach shoulder harness for more difficult/dangerous sections of the trail. I have heard over the years that the clasp can make all of the difference in ease of use. I've been using a normal style aftermarket 3 point setup for years, but the mercury switch lock-up and chafing on my neck have gotten on my last nerve. Thanks!

Clint
 
Get some pads for the shoulder straps.
 
I like my 3" Willans Cam-locks, gave me a use for harnesses that would've needed to be recertified (more expensive than a set of new Crows for Willans) and for 4 wheeling more than enough. Pads help any rubbing.
 
What type of seats do you have?

My A1C seats have the holes in them for the Peak (summit) shoulder pads. If my neck is touching the shoulder straps, I'm laying on my side.
PICT0062.webp
 
D'Animal said:
What type of seats do you have?
Click to expand...

I am still running with stock seats more for the look than comfort. I haven't seen too many seats that look right in the 40, but that's a whole other thread. I am thinking about upgrading if I can find the right ones.

Thanks for all the replies so far everyone.

Those camlock belts look pretty cool and easy to use. Does anyone else have some experience with those?
 
I am not a fan of the camlock belts in a wheeling rig. There is a reason that most off road racing entities do not allow them to be used (they get dirty and do not function as intended).
 
Mace said:
I am not a fan of the camlock belts in a wheeling rig. There is a reason that most off road racing entities do not allow them to be used (they get dirty and do not function as intended).
Click to expand...

How big of a PITA are the other style? They look to be overly complicated, but I don't have any experience with either.
 
At first they look confusing, but they are really pretty damn easy.
 
Slide them on in order from left to right, and latch; pull to release and everything slides off. I agree camlocks are not ideal for a rig, pulled them from a car built for road racing and didn't have any other use for them. If I had an extra set of latch and link harnesses I'd have used them instead.
 
Any updates on a good harness??? Just got a set of PRP seats. Really like the ease of the camlocks, but this sounds like they are not best for our use...
 
Most of the differences in belts are based on how the adjustment happens and how the shoulder straps are padded. Better belts are "Easier" to adjust to fit you. I've used the inexpensive 5/6 point harnesses for a long time and am used to them. ~ $120 ea and certified for race use. I also tend to adjust my belts and leave them alone..


Most important thing is to mount them properly. Improper mounting can cause huge issues to your body. Mounting down to the floorboard on the shoulder harnesses is not nearly as useful.
4730d1448097351-proper-racing-harness-mounting-proper-5-point-racing-harness-mounting-points.jpg
 
On the trail I tend to get in and out a lot, spotting other rigs, checking my lines, peeing, etc. My fear with 5 point belts is that they would be a hassle to get in/out of so I would be tempted not to use them every time I got in the truck on a trail run.
 
2 seconds rusty.. it's not a single click, but it's not hard..
 
I have seen many people use just the lap portion and pull the shoulder straps when doing more extreme sections.

I was planning on getting 4 point belt, or just not using the lower part.

Are those reasonable ideas?
 
It's not a bad idea. But keep in mind that accidents happen when you least expect them to.

I prefer the 5 point belts with the anti-submarine strap. It prevents the lower belts from raising up as much when you really cinch the shoulder straps up.
 
I agree with everything Mace said... except that bolting a shoulder harness to the floor isn't just "not useful" but is downright dangerous in am accident (can compress your back and/or kill you).

If you bolt the harness propertly, each bolt should be either in a stock location designed for seatbelts (factory reinforced) or reinforced with at least 16 sq/in of at least 1/4 plating - otherwise what's the point of a harness that will rip the bolts through sheetmetal.... kind of like a roll cage bolted to a rusty tub.... not good.

The diagram he showed is the required angle for shoulder harnesses for racing - and even our little/local club that only does lower speed auto-x will fail tech inspection on cars with a harness improperly mounted.

I have a cheapo 4 point 2" belt with a standard seatbelt buckle system in my 40 and I'm seriously unimpressed.

I had a SFI approved 3" latch style (2" submarine) 5 point harness in my serious MR2 and it was actually comfortable and extremely secure. This was what I had:
Amazon.com: RaceQuip 711001 Black SFI 16.1 Latch and Link 5-Point Safety Harness Set with Individual Shoulder Belt: Automotive

It took 10-20 seconds to get it on, and no time to get it off.

I've never had a cam lock. They're too expensive, with a 3" 5 point sfi belt, for my cheap blood.
 
I said "huge issues to your body" ;)
 
I had a cam lock set in my truck for one run
And it didn't want to latch the belts in
If tightening up your shoulder straps Is lifting your lap belt either your lap belt isn't tight enough or mounting points are wrong
I have stock belts in mine and a four point rci latch set why stock belts too ?
After market harnesses are not dot approved
And I got towed and a 200 buck fine because of them
So check local regs
 
Tin basher said:
After market harnesses are not dot approved
And I got towed and a 200 buck fine because of them
So check local regs
Click to expand...

I would love to see a copy of that ticket.

Schroth 5 point belts are DOT stamped.
 
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