Correct harness bracket widths

JohnJL · 06-03-2006, 09:41 PM

I just got a set of new 3" Simpson harnesses, camlock 5 point. I also ordered the floor mount and side belt brackets. These were all ordered from Summit.

I received brackets that have 2" wide slots, so in order to fit in the 3" harness, the webbing would need to be folded on itself a bit.

Summit doesn't show any other bracket part numbers, just the one set for all Simpson harnesses. That is, I dont's see them marked as 2 or 3".

Is it OK to fold the webbing through the bracket? I've been rockclimbing for 15 years, and I'm pretty anal about how my anchors and webbing is set. I'd never do that when climbing.

Am I being over-cautious?

THanks

javadog · 06-04-2006, 04:17 AM

Your gut feeling is a good one. You are not supposed to fold the webbing at all. I'd say keep looking for a different bracket.

I have learned a lot from a competitor of Simpson, Schroth. They have a pretty good set of instructions available here:

http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/docs/Competition_Instructions.pdf

JR

JohnJL · 06-04-2006, 05:18 AM

Thanks JR.
I took another look at the simpson instructions, it says to fold them. I don't like that, wil be looking for other brackets...

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnJL
Thanks JR.
I took another look at the simpson instructions, it says to fold them. I don't like that, wil be looking for other brackets...

I would trust the belt manufacturer over your gut feeling. If you want to sway your gut, look at the pictures of the Shroth harnesses where the factory sewn ends of the 3 inch belts are folded to fit in 2 inch brackets.
-Chris

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

javadog · 06-04-2006, 09:11 AM

Those are sewn; John's won't be sewn and therefore are subject to a tendency to lay in the bracket in an uneven way, which isn't good in the event of an incident.

JR

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

If you don't trust the belt manufacturer's instructions why would you trust their equipment? A contributing factor in Dale Earnhart's death was mismounting of the Simpson harness's by people who didn't follow the manufacturer's instructions. Maybe they thought they knew better?

As for climbing gear - is climbing webbing ever going to see the sort of loads/G's that a race harness will in a crash? I don't see how.
-Chris

javadog · 06-04-2006, 10:17 AM

I don't recall if they ever figured out whether the belt's were a factor in Earnhardt's death, or whether it failed or was cut. My memory's not that good and I don't watch NASCAR. I do remember the mounting issue and it seems that as a result of the way it was mounted, it got bunched up to one side of the buckle, which is what I was warning against.

I admit I don't work in the safety equipment field and it's been too long since I slept in a Holiday Inn Express on a regular basis to count on that help. I do know enough to prefer speading the load evenly, if I have a choice. Maybe I'm wrong, in this case. Maybe a 2" belt is better than a 3" belt. Who knows? I have no problem with Simpson equipment, although I don't use it, but I do think that other manufacturers do a better job of educating people on the installation of the equipment, which is why I pointed out the link earlier. There are others.

Have a good weekend, what's left of it anyway...
JR

JohnJL · 06-05-2006, 02:17 AM

Thanks guys.
Chris, the brackets don't have any indication they are Simpson items. They do have manufacturing and certification marks, but they don't specifically say "Simpson."

I'd bet a race crash imparts the higher deceleration forces on average. But I have seen some pretty good zippers out on the rocks.

Also, I replace all climbing gear every year, but I am expecting the Simpson harness to last a few years.

The Simpson instructions aren't crystal on the folding, they show a pic and of the harness folded as it is being inserted, but not after complete installation. The words are similarly vague.