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Sit/sleep in over cab while driving?

Fla904
Explorer
Explorer
Is it safe to relax in the over cab area of a class c while driving? Aside from the obvious (laws, fly out the front in a wreck, fall down etc) is there any danger? Such as the roof collapsing or something like that? Do you ride in the over cab? If no, why not?
20 REPLIES 20

4x4van
Explorer III
Explorer III
Yup, grew up riding up in the overhead of my dad's TC; best view in the house for traveling!

My kids have ridden in the overhead of my Class C a few times when they were younger, but it is usually loaded with "stuff" while driving (the bags from their significant others, pillows, sleeping bags, etc) now, and they are older and don't care so much about the "cool" factor.

Many class Cs now have heavy entertainment systems and storage there instead of a bed, so the weight (static vs dynamic) is likely a moot point. It would be extremely rare for road debris heavy enough to go through the window to be high enough to do so. And realistically, nowhere in an RV other than the driver/passenger seat is likely very "safe" in a major accident.

BTW, bukhrn, on the road that I grew up on, the County would spray oil, then spread gravel on top, and allow the vehicle traffic to work it into the existing pavement. THAT was how they repaved the road every couple of years!
We don't stop playing because we grow old...We grow old because we stop playing!

2004 Itasca Sunrise M-30W
Carson enclosed ATV Trailer
-'85 ATC250R, '12 Husky TE310, '20 CanAm X3 X rs Turbo RR
Zieman Jetski Trailer
-'96 GTi, '96 Waveblaster II

Steeljag
Explorer
Explorer
bukhrn wrote:
Steeljag wrote:
Jim Shoe wrote:
I'm a solo RVer. When I'm in the cab over, I can't reach the gas pedal or the steering wheel. ๐Ÿ™‚


Lol!

Worked then...should be good now ? Back in the "sixties" people were also working with lead based products , breathing asbestos, sucking down coal dust, dumping oil into creeks, etc....LOL......
:E We NEVER did that, we sprayed the old motor oil on the dirt road by the house to keep the dust down. :B


LOL !
2018 Forester 3011DS
2010 Flagstaff 26RLS (Sold)
2012 Ford F-150 Screw Ecoboost H/D 3.73
1930 CCC
Going where the weather suits my clothes !

toedtoes
Explorer III
Explorer III
As kids, we spent most of our travel time in the cabover of our parents' TC. It was the ONLY way to travel and all the kids wanted to ride with us (rather than in the other cars). Nothing like looking out the front window while making a hairpin turn.

Never had anything hit the front window. We all laid front to back, so at most we rolled side to side. Never had any movement where we moved backwards toward the back of the RV.

Other than in a rollover, I personally think the cabover is safer than the dinette. Sitting with a solid table top at gut/heart level (depending on size of person) and having to stop suddenly just seems to be textbook for internal damage.

I do believe it is illegal for small kids to ride up there now - they have to be in a carseat/booster seat, no exceptions. Older kids and adults would likely not be comfortable up there "front to back" and if they lay side to side, they risk rolling off the cabover with a sudden stop.

My childhood in the cabover is the main reason why I bought a class C - even though I can't drive and ride up there, sleeping nights up there bring back good memories.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)

Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Explorer II
Long story here, but take it as you will.
When I was younger (a lot younger) I worked at a place that sold RVs. Later at both Thetford and Chrysler. I was long convinced that I wanted either a C or a TC so children (yes, they were always part of the plan) could ride up there and see out the front window. Then, for a short time, I did some data analysis for NHSTA. I got dragged into the RVs while there. So, I looked. There were a goodly number of cases where both Cs and TCs rolled over and that cab over area was crushed flat. I did a very quick look at the compiled data. If there were occupants in the overhead, then there were a preponderance of fatals in the data. I changed that plan as much as I did remember the picture of little smiling faces looking forward.

Matt
Matt & Mary Colie
A sailor, his bride and their black dogs (one dear dog is waiting for us at the bridge) going to see some dry places that have Geocaches in a coach made the year we married.

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Explorer
Well, there use to be a day when grade school kids could hold hands and walk around the playground.... not any more! There was a day when high school kids could not touch each other in school either, now they make-out in the hall right in front of the principal's office!


Times have changed. Yes, you can, and probably get away with it. But in the event of the big "if".... could you live with yourself knowing serious damage may have occurred to your loved one, or even yourself?

wanderingbob
Explorer II
Explorer II
We have rode up there for many thousands of miles , of course we wore football helmets and were wrapped in bubble wrap , will that satisfy the naysayers ?

goreds2
Explorer
Explorer
See Picture In My Profile
I have a 1989 Dodge XPLORER RV Class B - Purchased 10/15/10 IN CASH
Fiance' purchased a Class C 2002 Dynamax Carri-go on 5/1/15 IN CASH
We've got the best of both worlds

Golfcart
Explorer
Explorer
When i was a kid my folks had a 70s something Winnebago, I used to climb up on that huge dash and nap while my dad was driving down the road lol
2009 Sun Valley Road Runner 16ft
2010 Chevy Silverado 1500

bukhrn
Explorer III
Explorer III
Steeljag wrote:
Jim Shoe wrote:
I'm a solo RVer. When I'm in the cab over, I can't reach the gas pedal or the steering wheel. ๐Ÿ™‚


Lol!

Worked then...should be good now ? Back in the "sixties" people were also working with lead based products , breathing asbestos, sucking down coal dust, dumping oil into creeks, etc....LOL......
:E We NEVER did that, we sprayed the old motor oil on the dirt road by the house to keep the dust down. :B
2007 Forester 2941DS
2014 Ford Focus
Zamboni, Long Haired Mini Dachshund

Steeljag
Explorer
Explorer
Jim Shoe wrote:
I'm a solo RVer. When I'm in the cab over, I can't reach the gas pedal or the steering wheel. ๐Ÿ™‚


Lol!

Worked then...should be good now ? Back in the "sixties" people were also working with lead based products , breathing asbestos, sucking down coal dust, dumping oil into creeks, etc....LOL......
2018 Forester 3011DS
2010 Flagstaff 26RLS (Sold)
2012 Ford F-150 Screw Ecoboost H/D 3.73
1930 CCC
Going where the weather suits my clothes !

MNGeeks61
Explorer
Explorer
It's kind of strange...

you'd think that anywhere there are belts it's safe to ride. not usually true, as they say front facing is the best/safest way to ride. Obviously any lap belts in the dinette are going to be of limited help.

However Minnesota, as an example, allows you to ride in a trailer, truck camper, or fifth wheel. Knowing that no RV's have shoulder belts unless you're in the cab of a class A, B, or C... it's surprising.

I spent a lot of my youth riding in the cabover area of Dad's Minnie Winnie with my sister. Dad was usually not in a hurry, never really went over 55. And we rode that way in the early/late 70's both up and back down the Alcan (whatever it's called now) highway when it was dirt and potholes.

Guess it depends on what you would think is safe. I don't know that I'd put my grandkids up there now.

Crowe
Explorer
Explorer
Simple rule of thumb-no proper seat and seat belt, don't ride there.

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be

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RJCorazza
Explorer
Explorer
The cab over area is not a safe riding position. Roll the dice if you wish.

rockhillmanor
Explorer
Explorer
That is where my four dogs ride! :C

Secured in fastened down crates for their safety.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.