Hi folks! I haven't posted here in a long time but this forum helped me make the decision on which fifth wheel and tow vehicle to buy many years ago and we've had lots of great times since then. The tow vehicle is getting old and I won't be buying another big truck so it's time for a change.We're planning to buy an older class c motorhome and we're in the process of sealing the deal on one right now. It's a 2000 fourwinds.I'll have tons of questions I'm sure but for now I'm just curious on how strict everyone is with seat belt usage? For example: would you make your teenage kids stay belted to the couch while traveling or would you let them get up and make a snack or use the bathroom? Anyone in the cab will wear their belts but what about in the house?Just curious what the class c pros have to say on thisThanksJay

I'm not a Class C pro but think it is totally irresponsible for a parent to allow their children, or anybody else, sit un-belted in a RV. In Ohio I worked at a location on "crash corner" seemed like a magnet for car crashes and frequently some victim would come in to use the phone, etc. My comment was that they should sue the seat belt manufacturer if they got hurt. by the looks on their faces it was obvious they hadn't had them fastened.I don't care if adults don't fasten theirs, as that is part of Darwin's theory, but to subject their kids to that is criminal.that is one of the reasons I got turned off by one Travato model, only two seatbelts.bumpy

We always used the couch and also the dinette seat belts in our RV s. If someone needs the bathroom, I will allow it if I am on a secondary road, but on a highway, we always stop for a break. Same with snacks.Once when driving, they went to grab a soda, and a casserole came flying out of the refrigerator!The beagle had a field day with that lasagna!!Also, aunt Patty once hit the can, and later, bumped her head, with a false sense of security, not realizing how much motion was in the coach.So now, it's always safety first!!

JCV220 wrote:For example: would you make your teenage kids stay belted to the couch while traveling or would you let them get up and make a snack or use the bathroom? Just like the airlines: If you are sitting down the belt must be buckled. And you should be sitting most of the time.In addition to their own safety, 150 pound objects flying forward and hitting the people in the cab can do them serious damage in a crash and having their belts buckled won't help with that.Edit: I like Denny's answer better.

I'm sure you know the legal requirements in your state as they are basically the same as a car. Having said that, if seated and belts are available by all means use them. Getting up for a quick snack is fine with me. If someone needs to use the bathroom, pull over at a safe place. More than just safety dictates not to let teenage boys use the bathroom in a moving vehicle!

If one thinks a seat belt is uncomfortable ... one should try a stretcher.Let's see now..Rocketing down the highway inside a cocoon surrounded by many thousands of pounds of steel, plastic, glass and fuel? :hJust sayin'.

Seatbelt usage | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Nov 23, 2016
Greydennyhawk wrote:
If someone needs the bathroom, I will allow it if I am on a secondary road, but on a highway, we always stop for a break. false sense of security, not realizing how much motion was in the coach.
So now, it's always safety first!!

I am more in favor of yes if on a highway, right of two lanes, no traffic, than on secondary roads where you don't know what is coming up.
and as far as motion, try the "authentic" oriental potties on a train in Japan. :)
If allowing it in a moving RV, one should have worked out a "safe word" that the driver can scream indicating that the passenger should hit the deck immediately.
bumpy
buta4
Explorer
Nov 23, 2016
If one thinks a seat belt is uncomfortable ... one should try a stretcher.

Let's see now..

Rocketing down the highway inside a cocoon surrounded by many thousands of pounds of steel, plastic, glass and fuel? :h

Just sayin'.
wildtoad
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2016
I'm sure you know the legal requirements in your state as they are basically the same as a car. Having said that, if seated and belts are available by all means use them. Getting up for a quick snack is fine with me. If someone needs to use the bathroom, pull over at a safe place. More than just safety dictates not to let teenage boys use the bathroom in a moving vehicle!
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Nov 23, 2016
JCV220 wrote:
For example: would you make your teenage kids stay belted to the couch while traveling or would you let them get up and make a snack or use the bathroom?

Just like the airlines: If you are sitting down the belt must be buckled. And you should be sitting most of the time.

In addition to their own safety, 150 pound objects flying forward and hitting the people in the cab can do them serious damage in a crash and having their belts buckled won't help with that.

Edit: I like Denny's answer better.
Greydennyhawk
Explorer
Nov 23, 2016
We always used the couch and also the dinette seat belts in our RV s. If someone needs the bathroom, I will allow it if I am on a secondary road, but on a highway, we always stop for a break. Same with snacks.
Once when driving, they went to grab a soda, and a casserole came flying out of the refrigerator!
The beagle had a field day with that lasagna!!
Also, aunt Patty once hit the can, and later, bumped her head, with a false sense of security, not realizing how much motion was in the coach.
So now, it's always safety first!!
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Nov 23, 2016
I'm not a Class C pro but think it is totally irresponsible for a parent to allow their children, or anybody else, sit un-belted in a RV. In Ohio I worked at a location on "crash corner" seemed like a magnet for car crashes and frequently some victim would come in to use the phone, etc. My comment was that they should sue the seat belt manufacturer if they got hurt. by the looks on their faces it was obvious they hadn't had them fastened.
I don't care if adults don't fasten theirs, as that is part of Darwin's theory, but to subject their kids to that is criminal.
that is one of the reasons I got turned off by one Travato model, only two seatbelts.
bumpy

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Seatbelt usage

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