TV on while traveling

There is an overhead bed between the driver and the TV. The driver cannot see the TV. The kids will be seatbelted in. All safety steps will be taken. Just wanted to make the trip go by more quickly for the teens.

The coach comes equipped with an inverter.

If this isn't legal, I sure don't want to do it. We will find something else to occupy them.

If it gets to be too much of a hassle, buying one of the little portable DVD players or using a laptop work well also. A 12v adapter is available for most so you can keep the battery charged.

Great use for an old laptop.

There is always someone who says "No such law" and then ends up proving there is (The expensive way) when he pays his fine.

I, on the other hand, have the Michigan Vehicle Code on my hard drive. (Much less expensive. (As in free).

Suggestion to the original poster.. This is about as easy as it gets.

In my Class A there is a "Euro Recliner" which is not to be sat in while in motion (no seat belt) Great place to "plop" a portable TV, well behind the driver, Below the window line so ye-old-underpaid and overworked can't see it and directly across from a pair of seat belts which is where I'd be parking the young ones.

I added a 12 volt outlet (There is 120 volt inverter provided nearby) and a TV outlet in the galley cabnet wall beside it. A common packing strap can secure a portable TV in said seat quite nicely,. Kids happy, Driver happy, Cop underpaid and overworked. All is good.

PLUS.... you can use the same TV on the pignic table (That's picnic table where folks make pigs of themselves) should you wish. (just add a splitter in the line to the TV outlet I mentioned (I DID) and a 2nd connection in the basemenbt (I did)

My portable fits in the basement in fact.. Used it there many times but now it's playing "Picture in Picture" with my other new "main" computer. (This is the primary, it was orignially my main one) My old bedroom TV/Monitor had "picture in picture" (Could watch TV while computing) The new one (The old one died, as did the old computer, at different times) has not that feature. So I put the portable beside it cause when I'm using that computer it is mostly mindless stuff and there is danger of my falling asleep if I don;t have the TV feature.

On mine only one of the double socket is wired to be off when the ignition is on. Try the TV plug in the other socket.

I think only a Giraffe would possibly be able to watch TV while driving a Jayco Greyhawk? :B

I suspect that I could actually find a similar TV viewing law in every State. However, I don't care to do so and I don't care whether you do or do not.
We all make choices about right or wrong (just like choosing to travel at speeds above the posted limits) and I am not here to pass judgement. There is an ignition TV interlock on your RV for a reason and I assure you that it's not an idea that the RV manufacturers came up with.

I am still wayne_tw wrote:
This would be a state specific law, not a Federal law. I doubt you can cite even one state law that says no TV while driving.

Here's one in Michigan for starters!
"257.708b Operating motor vehicle with television or similar electronic device viewable by operator prohibited; exceptions; location of permitted visual device; special permit for research vehicle; violation as civil infraction.
Sec. 708b.

(1) A person shall not operate a motor vehicle that is to be used upon the highways of this state with a television or other similar electronic device that displays a video image that can be viewed by the operator while the motor vehicle is in motion.

Cost a friend on mine over $100 a few years ago!

That wording looks like it would ban Sat-Navs too! HMMMM:E

The outlet the TV plugs into has a relay that cuts power when motor is started, I cut the 12V wire feeding the relay so grandkids can play video games while traveling. Or just run an extension cord.I have a class C cannot see Tv while driving any way.

Bill.Winegard wrote:
Just be aware that if the driver can see the TV while the RV is in-motion it is illegal to have the TV turned on.

This would be a state specific law, not a Federal law. I doubt you can cite even one state law that says no TV while driving.

Perhaps some state laws say no distracted driving, no electronic devices, etc. but I suspect that they are recent laws to address texting and cell phone use while driving.

If the OP's motorhome is like most, he cannot see it from the driver's seat. He may be able to hear it from the driver's seat, but he can hear the radio, too!

And remember,, There you are sitting in the driver's seat of your many many thousands of dollars rolling palace.

And that cop Bill mentioned feels he is over worked and underpaid thanks to "People like you" who have a lot of money (Never mind, I live in a motor home and I know just how much money I have).. So he's strongly motivated to "Bring you down" a few dollars.

By the way. I'm a retired police dispatcher, The cop has more money than I do.

And I did have to relay the section and subsection of law to a trooper writing such a ticket at least once.