I own a 2000 Durango and we pull a camper quite often with it. The Durango is doing well, but these new Durango's look great and I am really liking the 5.7L for towing. The 4.7L does ok, but "ok" is about it.
My wife really does not like the seat belts in the 2000 Durango (and most any Dodge I've had, such as the Dakota before the Durango). We both have experienced this "belt tightening" thing going on. We've got small kids and she is always having to turn around to pick up, or hand, them something and the seat belts drive her nuts. She'll occasionally just rides around without the safety belt on, which I really don't care for (at all!).
To describe the belt tightening effect I'll first say it never happens while just "riding around". You really need to lean forward and back, like reach something in the back seat. It does not happen ever single time, but say 1 in 10 times, more so on bumpier roads, and especially if you move faster. What happens is the belt will "latch in" and when you try to lean forward or pull it out to get some slack, the belt locks in. Then as you lean back to release tension the belt latches in when you lean back into your seat, which we naturally do to release the tension, except that it does not release, and you are now tightened in even more than before. It is really annoying, and you often have no choice but to disengage the seat belt. My father in law had a '01 Durango and the same thing happened in that, as did in my Dakota.
Anyone experience this in the past? Does the Gen 3's seat belts do this? I really need someone with similar riding styles to chime in. Most of us on the board never sit in the passenger seat..I know I rarely ever do. So I doubt any of us can chime in. But for those of you with kiddos, or whatever, has a co-rider who is back and forth all the time in the shotgun seat, can you ask them if they have any issues?
A new Durango may be on the line!
My wife really does not like the seat belts in the 2000 Durango (and most any Dodge I've had, such as the Dakota before the Durango). We both have experienced this "belt tightening" thing going on. We've got small kids and she is always having to turn around to pick up, or hand, them something and the seat belts drive her nuts. She'll occasionally just rides around without the safety belt on, which I really don't care for (at all!).
To describe the belt tightening effect I'll first say it never happens while just "riding around". You really need to lean forward and back, like reach something in the back seat. It does not happen ever single time, but say 1 in 10 times, more so on bumpier roads, and especially if you move faster. What happens is the belt will "latch in" and when you try to lean forward or pull it out to get some slack, the belt locks in. Then as you lean back to release tension the belt latches in when you lean back into your seat, which we naturally do to release the tension, except that it does not release, and you are now tightened in even more than before. It is really annoying, and you often have no choice but to disengage the seat belt. My father in law had a '01 Durango and the same thing happened in that, as did in my Dakota.
Anyone experience this in the past? Does the Gen 3's seat belts do this? I really need someone with similar riding styles to chime in. Most of us on the board never sit in the passenger seat..I know I rarely ever do. So I doubt any of us can chime in. But for those of you with kiddos, or whatever, has a co-rider who is back and forth all the time in the shotgun seat, can you ask them if they have any issues?
A new Durango may be on the line!
Professional
No issues here. We get a lot of use in the 2nd and 3rd rows, too. I rode shotgun over the weekend and did not have any issues.
Professional
My wife is not a fan of the ALR system either, but has learned how to work with it better. It is a system on pretty much all but the drivers seat. It is described in your owners manual as allowing you to more securely strap a box or child seat.
Maybe you can red up on it a bit, pay attention to what activates it, and try to avoid that? It only seems to annoy my wife when she is already frustrated with the kids.....or when one is crying. Most likely, your wife is pulling out a lot of slack to make it easier for her to reach....this will activate it. Instead, maybe she can turn and reach.....without trying to get a lot of slack prior to turning?
Maybe you can red up on it a bit, pay attention to what activates it, and try to avoid that? It only seems to annoy my wife when she is already frustrated with the kids.....or when one is crying. Most likely, your wife is pulling out a lot of slack to make it easier for her to reach....this will activate it. Instead, maybe she can turn and reach.....without trying to get a lot of slack prior to turning?
Champion
You should have no operational issues with any 2000 seat belts.
Make sure the belts are adjusted to the correct usage heights up on the adjusters in the pillars. Then clean/lube the retractors. Finally make sure the trucks brakes are ok and not causing the ABS to kick in all the time.
IndyDurango
A 2000 D Jedi
Make sure the belts are adjusted to the correct usage heights up on the adjusters in the pillars. Then clean/lube the retractors. Finally make sure the trucks brakes are ok and not causing the ABS to kick in all the time.
IndyDurango
A 2000 D Jedi
Professional
Hmmm..........2000. I didn't catch the year, my earlier post may be useless. The seatbelts on my 1997 Dakota were pretty sensitive to locking up, especially over any bumps. I have not noticed it on the new D. A test drive would be a good test.
when I explained to my wife that I posted she wanted to clarify that the seat belts seem to get tighter over a drive and *always* feel like they are pulling her into the seat too hard. This seems very particular, and probably only a long test ride could determine it, but again, if anyone who has both 1) experienced this with other "older" Dodges, and 2) can relate, please let me know...