Leaving seat while driving

Legally it is no different than in a car.
Buckle up.

In a accident or even a quick stop or
emergency lane change can be disaster for
anyone standing or trying to walk.

Wow! Thanks for all the great replies, everyone!

Yeah, I should have thought out the heading a little better before I posted it. PASSENGER leaving seat while driving is what I meant, but I appreciate the sense of humour some of you had about it! :)

Having heard from two such different viewpoints, I just wanted to hear what the majority of the experienced RVers had to say about it.

Again, thank you so much.

RedJeep wrote:
I am the process of purchasing a 2008 class A gas. I was a bit surprised to find that the driver and passenger seats only had lap belts and not shoulder belts.

Your Truck is "passenger rated" so is the bluebird a page or two back so is any coach conversion.
The rest are (99%) matchwood in any serious collision,I wouldn't bother with a seat belt in a typical motorhome,its not going to matter.

One thing that should be done if somebody is going to be walking around the MH. you should have a "SAFE WORD", no, not that kind of a safe word, but something like screaming "FLOOR" if the passenger should immediately take a dive to the floor .
bumpy

I am the process of purchasing a 2008 class A gas. I was a bit surprised to find that the driver and passenger seats only had lap belts and not shoulder belts.

We get up and make sandwiches, get drinks or go to the bathroom all the time. There are plenty of handholds. In heavy traffic, like Atlanta etc we stay seated.
When I get up I just put the coach on cruise.

The gets up to make a snack or get me a drink, use the restroom, or attend to the dogs! When not doing that were buckled up. A coach that has a engine up front (diesel or gas) would have more protection in a accident IMHO. When I bought my coach new the shop foreman at the dealership that I was at told me not to buy a Alfa See Ya (I was looking at one) and he showed me why. Not structural sound up front.

Wow, 40 replies! A lot of things to say about this.

I did not worry to much about being buckled when I was not in the front two seats. Never got into a accident, so I guess I was OK.

I guess if I where driving in snow or heavy rain, I would require all to be buckled.

Some have said they want to use a crock pot to cook while driving. The risk is hot food splattering on everyone inside if there is a sudden stop. I would not do it. I would not use the stove or oven while driving, the risk if something happens is to great.

Yet I will run the refrigerator on gas while driving, and normally I remember to shut it off while buying fuel!

My fuel filler is about 15 feet from the refrigerator. I have seen some motorhomes with dual fillers on the drivers side, and the refrigerator between them! Also the water heater next to that.

A big rig has to have 1/2" thick steel frame to keep the frame from twisting due to the 1400 pound engine mounted on it, that has 500 HP to twist the frame if it was not so strong! Most class A motorhomes do not need such a strong frame, and are subject to falling apart when they hit things. The box part will fall to pieces! They do not do great during a rollover event, but much better than RV's of the 70's. At least most now have a steel frame with walls that are somewhat strong.

Good luck, and have fun camping!

Fred.

Crash test a Peterbuilt

Crash test a bus

Problem is, generally speaking no one crash tests a RV. We each have to make our own choices but I'd rather be restrained in a moving vehicle.

smlranger wrote:
DW gets up to use the toilet or get a snack/drinks for us while underway but, otherwise, stays seated.

Same here...