Car Seat Experts...What about RVs?

[JGib]

My hubby was thinking about taking a road trip with another couple & their kids. They already own a 5th wheel RV thing (those big camper things that are attached to a center towing post of a big flatbed truck). We thought we might rent an RV...the ones that it's more like a bus (ie. camper, driver cab are all one big unit). But then got to thinking about my 3.5 yr old and 5 yr old. It's not like there are really car seats back in the passenger area to use their carseats with (I don't think there were in the ones he was looking at online, but I could be not seeing it in the pictures). Anyone have any experience with something like this? Anyone own any of the larger RVs that can chime in and say, "Why yes, there are actually some captain chairs behind the driver area that have seat belts that you could use with your children's carseats." The things my hubby was finding was that there have been no child mortalities in vehicles like this over the past few years (no, don't know what site he was on...he was using his iphone). Thinking about it, these larger RV's are definitely going to 'win' the battle in a crash scenario since they are monsters in comparison, but it still makes me feel a little uneasy.

[bubbaray]

It is never possible to install a child restraint in a captains chair/recliner/twisting seat in an RV. You also can never install on a side-ways seat (ie., a couch). Many techs have huge issues with installing in an RV at all due to the differences in construction.

I haven't ever seen a Class A (bus-like) motorhome with positions for child restraints, but DH claims to have.

In Class Cs (Winnebago- like), sometimes you can install at the table bench seats, it depends on the setup. We rented one that even had a top tether anchor there. In those situations, you can ONLY install on the bench seats that face the direction of travel/front of the RV (ie, you can't install on the bench seats that face the back of the RV).

FWIW, we have rented RVs for years and by FAR the easiest set up for child restraints is a 5th wheel and a big crew cab truck.

[bubbaray]

Thinking about it, these larger RV's are definitely going to 'win' the battle in a crash scenario since they are monsters in comparison, but it still makes me feel a little uneasy.


Hmmm, not so sure I agree with that. There are a LOT of projectiles in RVs. They are also prone to flipping, especially with inexperienced RV drivers (renters). My DH has a license to drive articulated (double/bendy) buses and an airbrake certification. But, most people driving huge massive RVs have no clue what they are doing, which makes them pretty dangerous on the road.

[JGib]

It is never possible to install a child restraint in a captains chair/recliner/twisting seat in an RV. You also can never install on a side-ways seat (ie., a couch). Many techs have huge issues with installing in an RV at all due to the differences in construction.

I haven't ever seen a Class A (bus-like) motorhome with positions for child restraints, but DH claims to have.

In Class Cs (Winnebago- like), sometimes you can install at the table bench seats, it depends on the setup. We rented one that even had a top tether anchor there. In those situations, you can ONLY install on the bench seats that face the direction of travel/front of the RV (ie, you can't install on the bench seats that face the back of the RV).

FWIW, we have rented RVs for years and by FAR the easiest set up for child restraints is a 5th wheel and a big crew cab truck.

Ho-hum...that's what I thought! Just don't like the idea of my babies running around while the thing is moving. Even if I managed to get them to stay seated, I would still feel really weird about it. Maybe I could just talk him into buying a good tent and we could camp right next to our friends and just use their shower. Although, that kinda takes away the ability to travel non-stop because we would have to stop for potty breaks all the time. Looks like I'll have to break the news that I'm not 'all for' renting a big RV bus and taking a long trip.

[JGib]

Hmmm, not so sure I agree with that. There are a LOT of projectiles in RVs. They are also prone to flipping, especially with inexperienced RV drivers (renters). My DH has a license to drive articulated (double/bendy) buses and an airbrake certification. But, most people driving huge massive RVs have no clue what they are doing, which makes them pretty dangerous on the road.

I don't really feel like approaching that subject with my hubby...I actually did mention the flip over thing, etc. and he just kind scoffed at me (he thinks I'm quite the carseat 'freak'). I also agree that inexperience drivers (like my hubby) in these can lead to bad things. I'll just tell him I don't think it's a good idea in respect to the kids not being strapped in.

[bubbaray]

Ho-hum...that's what I thought! Just don't like the idea of my babies running around while the thing is moving. Even if I managed to get them to stay seated, I would still feel really weird about it. Maybe I could just talk him into buying a good tent and we could camp right next to our friends and just use their shower. Although, that kinda takes away the ability to travel non-stop because we would have to stop for potty breaks all the time. Looks like I'll have to break the news that I'm not 'all for' renting a big RV bus and taking a long trip.


I'm not aware of any jurisdiction in North America that permits people (RVs or otherwise) to not wear seatbelts while the vehicle is in motion. So, appropriate child restraints or not, what you describe is not legal (even for adults) anywhere I've ever RVd (extensively in the Western USA).

[Joolsplus2]

This article might offer some insight... http://carseatblog.com/2493/a-bit-about-rvs/

[bubbaray]

Just a few comments (pre-coffee, which we all know here affects my thinking!). Take the cushion off the bench and take the tabletop and legs off the table. I would not install a car seat with the tabletop and legs still there (and I don't think its even possible). We checked that our "bench" was bolted to the frame, not all are.

When we travel, we try to put heavy stuff in the outside bins. Everything is stowed when we are in motion, everything. Anything heavy that isn't outside is stored in the low bins. Won't help in a rollover, but then again, there are bigger issues in a rollover than the projectiles.

HTH