Arkansas: Front seat passengers must buckle up, according to Arkansas law. Best Overall: Coachmen Freelander. Class C (middle-sized guys) stands for a 10-12 000 pounds motor vehicle, 20-31 feet long. Because of this, I felt confident in proceeding. I originally really wanted him to be in a 5-point harness like the other kids. As you can see, recreational vehicles also follow the rules, and there are specific car seat laws for RV travel. I had read in another article that that may be the safest spot for an infant but then like you said an adult then gets only a lap belt in the back. For booster seats, all you need is a three-point seat belt. They are measured between 20 to 30 feet and weigh between 10,000 to 13,000lbs. It would be best if you didn't place them in the side or rear-facing vehicle seat when the car moves. Congratulations on your RV purchase! The Ride Safer Travel Vest offers a shoulder harness that hooks on the RVs lap belt. Want a Guest House For Family This Thanksgiving? Plus, our child has worn it before. Rules. Hope that helps! They must be federally approved concerning the seat belts to meet the crash standards. We have a Nuna Rava convertible car seat. Almost all 5-point harnesses, however, max out at a 65 lb weight limit, and he is just over that (70 lbs). Neither manufacturer claims the rear beds as seating positions for passengers. Few, if any, will speak up and say that they would be okay with a child in the main body of an RV. Youre covered with our custom protection packages. The more your referral link gets used, the more money youll start earning. The forward-facing seat must be installed with the three-point seat belts with a top tether anchor point or a LATCH system. They are lightweight and click in and out of the vehicle to make transporting baby easy. And since shes close to 2, I would personally take the benefit of that over the benefit of extended rear facing (since then youd need to create a tether point for the car seat on the rear facing bench its obviously doable and we did it, but only because we had 3+ kids. This is to prevent them from flying forward in the event of a crash. Buy Interior Cleaner, Carpet Cleaner, Seat Cleaner, Fabric Cleaner, 32 Fl oz. In this article, well break down how you can travel with a small child in the different types of RVs, as well as provide some general safety tips. Its also true that lack of testing doesnt inherently indicate lack of safety. You will follow the safety tips (listed above) and use the appropriate forward-facing child restraint system to accommodate your child appropriately. But, if you opt for the second car, keep them all - rear seats, forward-facing, and boosters in the back seat. Only 22 of the 50 states require you to wear a seat belt, regardless of where you're sitting inside the RV. The EATAL allowed us to then tether our third forward-facing car seat, since we do have a structurally sound metal bar available to tether it. For a LATCH system, the lower anchors are at the point where the seat cushions meet. You need to know that although the laws allow children to ride in the RVs, safety experts do not recommend it as your first option. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But unlike the Class B vans, these RVs usually weigh over 10,000 pounds. Why in the world would I share personal names of individuals on my blog without their consent? Start by reading my Car Seats in RVs: Safety Considerations post! PIN THIS POST FOR LATER! Thank you so much for this post and the details you provided! Notes and considerations: This was an easy one to install rear-facing with the lap belt. The actual child safety seat inspection, testing and certifications is done by the manufacturer's own safety technicians themselves but the federal government does carry out spot checks in order to ensure that the seats from manufacturers are complaint with the laws. With over 10 possible floor plans between the Freelander and the Freelander Premier, this Class C has enough layouts to please anyone. These items will come spilling out, and can hit passengers riding in the rear of the RV. Additionally, examine if the RV's cab has enough space & seating positions for installing car seats properly. Preferably at least a couple of anchor points for forward-facing car seats. Lets look a little more closely at seat belts. Now, according to best practice, a child may grow out of needing a car seat or booster somewhere between the ages of 10 and 12. Please keep in mind that this is NOT professional safety advice. The 4.5 year old could possibly sit in any position with a lap belt. While it isnt the closest to the middle of the vehicle, they are still centered front to back, providing protection to these car seats in motorhomes. Made in the USA. Failing to follow the child car seat laws in Virginia can come with strict penalties. This is because with the 5-point harness, the seat/belt are then bearing the load of not only the child (who was just over the weight limit), but also the heavy car seat. RVs are some of the biggest vehicles on the road, so its more likely that others will see us, and is also safer in the event of a crash. Because he is still well under the weight limit of both his car seat and also the EATAL, I felt better about using the car seat + EATAL option than the the travel vest + EATAL option. Be mindful of where you store sharp or pointy utensils. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2022 Local Passport Family | Privacy Policy. Putting the rear-facing convertible car seat and the infant car seat in an RV was pretty straightforward. We (my wife and I) will be renting a Cruise America RV (30ft) through May and June this year and are bringing our 8 month old son along. Your children could ride safely in their car or booster seats as one adult drives them and the other drives the motorhome. Secondly, they must be appropriately attached to the metal frame of the vehicle, not the wooden parts. The Travel Vest can be an alternative to the booster. Federal Vehicle Motor Safety Standard 208. There are only certain seats that can accommodate certain child safety seats, and this is often affected by height, weight, and make of the rig. Finally, putting car seats in the front passenger seat might be the best option if you don't have any other way out. (This was before I realized our child also exceeded the height limit on the 5-point harness.). We extended rear face our children, and typically turn them between 3.5-4 years of age. If the seat moves more than an inch side-to-side or front to back, it is not considered a secure installation. I hope that sharing our research and experience helps those of you considering RVing with kids, too. The rear-facing car seats have side-impact protection, and only require a lap belt for installation. Based on our conversations with the vehicle manufacturer and the CPSTs, we were confident in these built-in anchor points carrying the load of a tethered car seat. Here were our minimum requirements for any used RV purchase: We did some digging and discussed with both the seller (the Cruise America folks, who had also managed the vehicle for the last 4 years), as well as with the manufacturer directly (Thor). So we started looking into the large size vest for our 9 year old. Both confirmed that our RV met all of these requirements, including having anchor points on the two forward-facing seats in the back. Some claim that bigger vehicles tend to withstand external forces better in car crashes. In the case of older children and adults, theyre better than nothing, but if they are secured to wood, they are not considered structurally sound. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. If the belts you see in the RV, dont meet the above, they may be intended for holding items in place, and will definitely not work for securing your car seat or booster. Otherwise, you will have to turn off the airbags and place the infant seat in the passenger seat in the RV, which is not recommendable by experts. However, none of them thought it was unsafe or that we should avoid going. Feel free to reach out with any other questions! Each situation is unique. Also, place nothing at all in the cabinets above the baby. Everyone in the RV must buckle up if the vehicle doesn't weigh over 8,000 pounds. And, it's perfect both for a quick escape & longer distances, suitable for 1-8 people. Some child harnesses cant go in most standard RVs at all, including booster seats (unless you have a lap and shoulder belt available in the rig). Forward Facing Carseat 5-Point Harness or Ride Safer Vest for 5 Year Old? Im so happy this was helpful to you. The laws regarding seatbelts in RVs vary by state. [] support for younger children, or can be tethered for older kids if needed. Apply downward pressure on the child restraint while steadily pulling the shoulder belt toward the retractor. An undeniable benefit of a towable RV is that everyone rides together in their regular vehicle, meaning theres no change at all to your regular car seat routine. Im so sorry for the delay!! Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. safety considerations when putting car seats in RVs. Class B and Class C cabs are not built out by RV manufacturers, but rather by the vehicle manufacturers. You might see seat belts on seats in the RV living area like in dinettes and sofas, but, unfortunately, these seats are often rear or side facing. Heres a quick look at the differences. Additionally, that would have meant that one adult was sitting in the back with only a lap belt also not ideal. It was perfect for us in the RV since we couldnt use a traditional booster since there wasnt a shoulder belt, but []. Any RV forward facing car seats needs to use a top tether to anchor the top of the seat so it doesn't fly forward. However, I realized the two forward-facing seats were also the ones that had the anchor points to tether a forward-facing car seat. Best 2022 Parent Adviser. For rear-facing infant seats, it would be best to travel by the second car and install it in the back seat of the vehicle, in the center position, if possible. Heres a post on safety considerations when RVing with kids, as well as a post with which car seats in an RV that we personally use. That left us with one more forward-facing car seat without an anchor point (the one for our 5 year old). Any available seat belt is better than none. Avoid city driving when possible, as it tends to lend itself to far more accidents than highway driving. Seats in the rear cabin of an RV are not required to meet Federal safety standards. Why we chose it: We switched to a booster just after he turned 9, when he was approaching the weight limit on his 5-point harness. safety info specific to car seats in RVs. However, we didnt feel great about putting him in the front seat. Since our 3rd kiddo is still well under the weight limit of the large vest (which the EATAL is tested with), and is also well under the weight limit of the car seat itself, we felt okay about anchoring with the EATAL. In the case of a seat equipped with seat adjusters at different levels, the term means the uppermost seat adjuster. Do you properly use and install them? They usually have a basement area underneath the RV and large windshields that allow great views from the front seats. This means its perfect when there is only a lap belt option, assuming there is a tether point available. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Notes and considerations: This baby seat in RV was another easy one to install rear-facing with the lap belt. If youre traveling with kids that need a car seat or booster, youll need front-facing seats. So, I suggest you still choose the crash-tested, verified vehicles regardless of their size and weight. ; Infant car seats are exclusively used in the rear facing orientation. . Choose an RV that meets requirements for a travel vest (for children 30 lbs.+) instead of using a car seat or booster. Yes, you do. Certainly not. You can often find alternative names, such as conversion vans, campervans, etc., and they're easier to operate than class A. These include the Federal Vehicle Motor Safety Standard 208. Z is for Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe for Kids Virtual Tour, RV with Kids: Which Car Seats Our Family Uses. The driver and the passenger in the front. All If you have to install a car seat in the captain's chair, the seat belt must meet the safety benefits. All Rights Reserved. It's a motor vehicle or a trailer, including living quarters created for proper accommodation. NOTE: The seat belt will not hold the car seat in place unless you switch the seat belt into its locked mode. LATCH allows a car seat to be secured without using a seat belt. Requirements. You should always make sure that the car seat is installed correctly according to the instructions. You can avoid problems with safe driving practices, slower travel speeds, and extra care in high winds. All cars, trucks, and vans are required to meet federal crash safety standards. Illinois. Rent from a pro and travel like one, too. By doing this, you may be able to get branded seats. Otherwise, you may not legally be able to transport your child, and you're breaking the Child Passenger Safety law. Because of this, I told them right away that they should tell me if they thought we should just avoid putting car seats in an RV altogether. RV Position: forward-facing dinette seat with built-in anchor point. But, you cannot mix these parts; the manufacturer must order them. RV seat belt laws aside, the best rule of thumb is to simply make sure your kiddo has a proper seat with a seatbelt or is properly secured in a car seat. . I am also NOT advocating for anyone else to choose our same path; the question of can you put car seats in an RV is and must be your own. Electric Switch solutions. What has been your experience with family RV travel? To be clear, the EATAL is ONLY safety tested with the Ride Safer vest. If the child youre traveling with hasnt yet met the milestones for a booster, youre going to need to use a forward-facing (or rear-facing for infants) car seat. SftR 007: Adventures of New Full-time RVers with From Paris to Roam // Podcast, SftR 016: Exploring States and Capital Cities with All the Places 2 Go // Podcast, RVing with Kids: Why You Should Just Go For It, RV Refrigerator Basics: Types, Buying Guide, and Maintenance. Just remember that most RVs are not crash-tested like automobiles. But if you have a child that is required to travel in a car seat, youll have a little more to think about on your family road trip. Arizona: In Arizona, people in the front seat need to wear seat belts. Seat expiration, recall status, or cleanliness may not be favorable. Minivan position: Captains chair (middle row, middle position). Another option is to drive a separate vehicle to the campground. RVing is a great way to make memories with your family. Real world is rarely perfect, and requires nuance in decision making. Make sure to follow your car seat and your RVs recommendations in both products owners manual. And though you wont need the tether point for the car seat in a rear facing position, the two forward-facing spots are the safest as they have been pull tested (at least they were in our RV). As youre RV shopping or evaluating your own RV, keep an eye out for the following when looking at motorized RVs. Rear Facing Car Seat. Trailers that are pulled behind a truck, like fifth wheels, travel trailers, pop-up campers, and teardrops all require a tow vehicle to get to the campsite. 1985 - 2022 The Safety Restraint Coalition. Others require seat belts in the front seats only. I was wondering if you considered rear facing your youngest in the front passenger seat if the air bag could be turned off? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. We also installed baby locks on cabinet doors as an added precaution against them flying open and lightweight things going flying. The state recommends children sit in the rear of a car until age 13. as like we mentioned, the RideSafer Travel Vest will work with a structurally sound lap belt. We have two children so we can use the two anchored lap belts on the forward facing dinette seat. The main goal is to keep everyone inside the vehicle. Choose an RV that meets car seat manufacturer installation requirements. They are the bulkiest models, often weighing between 15 and 30 000 pounds. Did you have any problems with mounting the chairs due to the belt buckle being in the middle instead of at the side like in a normal car with lap belts? I did read the article in full and there are a lot of problems in it and your misrepresentations of RV safety in general. The car seat law is a blanket at this point. But, the Federal Seat Belt Standards may vary from state to state, as the RV seat belt laws and car seat laws are not the same. Hes 25 pounds. Just make sure the rv has a dinette with at least two forward facing seat belts. []. Also, ensure the seat belts lock. This means that according to the manufacturer's recommendations, a child can sit in a rear-facing car seat until the age of 1 or under the weight of 20 pounds. We have a '72 Tioga RV (small - 19') with only two bucket seats in the front. Cleans Carpets, Seats, Leather, Upholstery and Vinyl, Aircraft Quality for Your Car Boat RV Meets Boeing and Airbus Specs: All-Purpose Cleaners - Amazon.com FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases Once we were clear on how to tether all the forward facing car seats, it was much easier to figure out the rear-facing toddler and infant car seats in an RV. Because these RVs are subject to traditional passenger car seat belt laws, everyone must be strapped in securely. I definitely didnt want them on the rear facing RV bench seat in a rear facing car seat (because that would essentially put them in a forward-facing position toward the front of the vehicle). We were able to place this child/seat in a rear facing motorhome dinette seat, but buckled in a forward facing position essentially using it as a forward facing seat but facing the rear of the RV. b. However, he still needed something that could work with a lap-only belt, so a booster wouldnt work. Luckily, its not too hard to find a Class C with a crew cab, meaning it has a back seat like a large pick-up truck. Kids strapped in car seats wont be able to duck out of the way. This means they are not required to pass federal seat belt standards. Child Safety Seat Resource Center Website. You must always select type 2 belts - both shoulder and lap belts instead of only a lap belt option - type 1. So, pay attention to the proper anchoring, and always check if the attachment is vital and how solid they are. We are about to move cross country so Im nervous but I cant live in fear! The final piece was nailing down the official configuration. RV road trips make for memorable family vacations. All Since rear-facing car seats can be installed with a lap-only belt, that gave us more flexibility with where to place them. Georgia. Any RV forward facing car seats needs to use a top tether to anchor the top of the seat so it doesnt fly forward. Also, check that the seat belt is anchored to the metal frame of the vehicle, not floor boards. RV seat belt laws aside, the best rule of thumb is to simply make sure your kiddo has a proper seat with a seatbelt or is properly secured in a car seat. Our 7 and 5 year olds remained in their forward-facing car seats, while the toddler and infant were able to stay rear-facing. You can get away, explore new places, fully relax and enjoy the outdoors within your cozy little world. This means your children will be traveling with you in a truck or large SUV that has passed crash-testing and meets federal seat belt standards. A real seat belt is designed to meet crash standards. The manufacturer had installed the other, identical seats in the exact same way as the pull tested seats. Thus, in 22 US states, the Federal Seat Belt Standards require all passengers to wear seat belts. In forward-facing car seats, the most common misuses include: Loose installation, where the car seat could be moved more than 2 inches laterally (47% of misuse cases). We are proud to carry the following brands of seats: National Seating (Customer Service 1-800-459-7328) - National Aftermarket seating is now serviced through Piedmont Alabama (same as Bostrom . So that wasnt a great option. Were from Sweden and will rent an RV in US soon, sand its hard for us to check which seats would fit as the European seats are quite different. Exemptions are; vehicles designed to carry more than 19 passengers. Driving a second vehicle - without safe seating positions and properly anchored seat belts in the RVs, it's best to use another passenger car. Which means they can come apart or arent strong enough. If the airbag can be turned off, you might be able to place the car seat in the front passenger seat of a Class B or Class C. If you do, please, stick to the safety procedure, install proper car seats, and check all laws and regulations if you want to visit different states. I would prefer RV carseat travel to a regualr car. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Class B (the most petite boys) refers to miniature recreational vehicles. This means that car seats can be safely attached to back passenger seats. If you fail to properly restrain a child passenger, you'll have to take a 4-hour safety course and may face fines of $100 to $500. No slide outs, as they make the entire vehicle less structurally sound in the event of a crash. Read more about our Privacy Policy. Class C Class C RVs fit between the middle of both Class A and B when it comes to their size. You can also email us at Ryan@superior-seats.com. The Ride Safer vest is completely safety tested and provides terrific protection. Custom made in 4 weeks. They are 21-45 feet long. You can read more about her here. Here are all our car seats when RVing with kids. And even if it were legal, it remains unsafe. Answer: Texas law does not specify where in the vehicle a child is required to ride - BUT - the law does require that all child safety seat systems must be used according to the owner's manuals. My son is 5 so a forward facing 5 point harness seems pretty straightforward for him. That all seemed fairly straightforward when figuring out how to RV with car seats. Other travel trailers cover pop-up campers, hard-walled trailers, compact trailers, and other models with various lengths, sizes, and shapes. First, check your car seats manual. Mississippi law requires children 4 years or older but less than 7 years old, who have a height of less than 4'9" or weight less than 65 pounds to ride on booster seats. Feel free to reach out with any other questions as I imagine its tricky figuring it all out from so far! And, the LATCH system has been required in all regular vehicles since 2002. Then we tethered the top of it to a metal bar under the RV driver seat, the back of which faces the back of this child seat. Forward-facing car seats must be installed either using the LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) system, or a three-point seat belt with top tether anchor. a. Idaho. Another question, how did you choose your 5 point harness car seat? And while she is tall, she has a shorter torso, so still fits in it fine height-wise. With the vest, there was a much lower weight load since the vest itself weighs almost nothing. Choose from beautiful, rich colors and customize with comfort options like Hi/Low heat, 6 motor back relaxer, Power footrest and many more. At home, we drive a minivan (which almost feels like a necessity with 5 small children sliding doors forever!!). Always look for setups that are mounted to the frame directly. Everyone else is free to sit anywhere in the back of the RV without a seat belt. Then, check to see what the seat belt is anchored to. We havent had any issues with this the seats we use have worked fine with the RV buckles. Choosing Your RV: Is a Class B Right for Me? I was 100% open to that feedback. These are the seats that were pull tested. The only way the rear-facing safety seat can be legally and properly . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2022 Local Passport Family | Privacy Policy. In addition, their parking and maneuvering might be a real pain in the neck, as they're too spacious. with or without separate headrests, side airbags. The Safety Restraint Coalition is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. What questions do you have on how to install car seats in a RV? All of our coach seat belts meet not only Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 209 & 302, but also ECE R16. If you travel with more than one child, check the car seat manual and what the vehicle manufacturer recommends. And Im also very clear that this is NOT advice, just sharing what we personally did. As with the Class A, never affix a car seat to a side- or rear-facing bench. Motorhome and travel trailer rentals are popular ways to enjoy a family camping vacation. Every child should use the child most protective/conservative child restraint for their weight and height. Seats such as high back seats, low back seats, operator seats, bucket seats, mining seats, utility seats, marine seats & jump seats are available. It also requires anyone under the age of 17 in the rear of the vehicle to buckle up. Loose installation, where the car seat could be moved more than 2 inches laterally (29% of misuse cases). manufacturer. Decide on what works best for your family and test out an RV by renting one from Outdoorsy. Pull test we needed all forward facing seats to be pull tested to ensure they could manage the load on the belt. RVing is a great way to make memories with your family. - Distracted drivers - RVs and all other larger vehicles focus more on the road to avoid accidents and fatal outcomes. Its incredibly audacious and prideful of you to assume the CPSTs dont exist; I assure you they do. Manufacturer of ambulance, recreational vehicle (RV), bus & railroad car seats. Do they use car seats? I never misrepresented RV safety its very true significant testing has not been conducted, which I clearly state in my post. Class As have bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and other conveniences from home. States that do NOT require adults to wear seat belts in RVs The remaining 28 states only require that the two passengers in the cabin wear RV seat belts. Slides make the RV less structurally sound than regular vehicles and than RVs without slides. The RideSafer Travel Vest serves as a substitute for both a booster car seat and a forward-facing seat. You must anchor the seat belt system accurately. It has a tether and neck pillow and is certified for use in U.S. automobiles. Don't forget the laws of physics - if the vehicle is moving 50mph, everything is moving at the same speed. In other words, if tyou can loop the EATAL around a sturdy place (e.g., a metal bar thats also bolted to metal so it is structurally sound, perhaps on the bottom of the front captains chair), then you can create your own anchor point. Personal RV Safety Rules To feel more comfortable and confident, we also formed a few rules for ourselves regarding safely RVing with car seats: Never drive over 65 miles per hour. Avoid driving at night as much as possible. If the belts are anchored to wood, they may not be structurally sound and may not bear load in the event of a crash. Penalties for Violating Car Seat Regulations in Virginia. Also, you can find a crib suitable for the RV's interior, or the cabin, in most cases, will be enough to accommodate your infant or toddler inside. Well, the big deal comes if you don't follow the rules and don't restrain your child correctly in the child seat, so they don't fulfill the same safety standards as you in the vehicle. However, this wasnt absolutely essential and sometimes there are tradeoffs based on the vehicle configuration/number of children. Remember that in California kids under two years have to sit backwards. Rear-facing seats and side seats will not work. Never place any heavy items in top cabinets, which could come open during movement. Still, know that this is not something that has been specifically crash tested. Also, if you ride in the RV, don't place the seats on the rear-facing bench in the RV.
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