RVs can be so different from other types of vehicles, since they are often bigger and have additional uses. With there being a living area, many often ask me “Do RVs have seatbelts?” The answer to that can depend on a few things.
Because there is a living space involved, as well as a variety of seating, that’s not a simple yes or no answer. I get asked this question quite often. Here is a detailed breakdown to solve this common mystery among those who wish to make use of an RV.
Understanding RV Classes
There are different classes of RVs and towable trailers. It is important to understand these when figuring out which type will be more likely to have the proper number of seatbelts for your family. The Class A RV is usually the kind that is described as looking like a bus.
These are the longer type RVs that are often also called tour buses. In these RVs, there will be seat belts in the front seats. Sometimes these contain only one seat upfront for the driver and all passenger seats are in the back. Other times, there are two seats in the front.
Usually, Class A motorhomes will have sofas, armchairs, beds, and dining benches or chairs. Class B motorhomes are those known as camper vans or sleeper vans. These can range in size and some may contain slide-outs.
These often have seating like a regular van but also include a kitchenette and sometimes a toilet. The back seats can usually be converted into sleeping areas and there may be a slideout or popup sleeping area up top.
Class C RVs usually have a truck chassis with a motorhome rear. These can have seating like a van or like a class A. Towables vary greatly in available seating.
Where Are the Seatbelts in An RV?
All RVs, with the exception of towable RVs, will have seatbelts at least in the front seats. After that, the answer can vary significantly. Class A RVs often have additional seating along the side or directly behind the front seats.
These seats will usually have seatbelts. These would usually be sofas or couches, as well as many armchairs. Additional seating, such as dining benches may have seatbelts as well. The same can be true in a Class B or C RV as well.
Because towable RVs are not always intended to be ridden inside while being towed, many or even most of these will not have seatbelts at all. There are a few exceptions, since some states do allow riders in certain towable style RVs.
Unless a bed is also convertible into seating, beds will not contain seatbelts. You may need to look inside the folding cracks or underneath cushions to find hiding seatbelts. Often, people are surprised to find seatbelts which they never knew existed. This has happened to me on occasion.
Are Seatbelts Required by Law in An RV?
Seatbelts are always required by law in the front seats of an RV, as these would be the driver and passenger seats. However, that’s where the consistency ends. Each state has its own set of laws when it comes to operating vehicles.
RVs are no different. Some states are very strict and require seatbelts on every seat occupied by a passenger. Yet, some others require them only in the front seats of an RV.
In order to understand if you are correctly following this law, keep up with the laws in your current and travel locations, as they can change periodically.
What if My Vintage or Older RV has Little to No Seatbelts?
If you have an older RV, in which there may not have originally been seatbelts, there can be exceptions. Some states do not allow these exceptions, however. In these cases, it may be better to go ahead and get seatbelts installed, as well as modify the seating, if necessary, to make the seatbelts safe.
Can You Sleep in A Moving RV Without A Seatbelt?
The actual safety behind doing this is questionable, depending on how it’s done. But it’s understandable why so many people ask me this question. Whether you’re a full-timer or taking a vacation, road trips in an RV can get long and people get tired.
Since there are sleeping areas inside an RV, some may have the thought of resting up while another is driving. Some states may allow this by law and some do not. However, remember that you’re inside a moving vehicle.
The safest way to ensure you don’t get moved around during travel or injured in an accident is to only sleep in a chair or bench with the seatbelt properly attached and fastened.
As Lazy Days says, “You want to ensure you’re sleeping in a secured set up in case the motorhome has to make any quick stops, so sleeping in the motorhome is best done in a seat where you can be safely buckled in.”
Can You Walk Around A Moving RV Without A Seatbelt?
By law, in some states, you certainly can walk around your moving RV. Yet, other states will consider this a driving offense. Your safety also may be at stake, even when it is technically legal. If you wish to know the legalities, be sure to check the laws for each state you will travel in.
These should be checked each time you pass through, as well as periodically for extended stays. Laws can and do change, so be sure your info is current. Legalities aside, remember that you’ll be inside a moving object.
Falls can occur while you’re moving around, due to the RV moving. But also, if an accident should occur, those in a properly secured seatbelt are more likely to avoid injury. Use your better judgment when deciding whether you should be walking around the moving RV or sitting down with your seatbelt on.
Are Kids Required to Use Car Seats in An RV?
Children are where most states draw the line firmly. Children need to be properly buckled or secured and in a car seat, depending on their age. Some may list children as 18 and under. Yet others can start these age requirements at 16 and under or 14 and under.
This is because while an adult may know how to safely ride without a seatbelt, kids will not always understand, nor have the ability to do so. In an accident, children are some of the most vulnerable passengers in any vehicle.
Where the seatbelt is installed is another safety concern when it comes to children, especially. Car seats should be attached to the safest seating possible. This means avoiding any of the seating areas that are wooden attachments to the RV.
These wooden structures, such as the dining benches in older models, can become detached in an accident or overuse. Not only can this dislodge your child and their car seat, but a child and the seating structure can be tossed around the RV.
According to SafeRide4Kids, “Though these rear occupant seat belts are usually bolted to the floor, the concern is that the wooden seat structure on which the passenger or child is sitting will fail.
And some rear seat belts in RVs are not even bolted to the metal frame of the vehicle. Rather, they attach to the plywood cabinets. During a crash, the seat belts can be pulled out of the wood with the weight and crash energy of the occupant.”
Also, as SafeRide4Kids states, “Many states require proper use for car seats. This means if a child restraint is not installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions on a forward-facing vehicle seat with properly anchored seat belts, it is in effect illegal to transport your child in the vehicle.”