RV and Car Seats

[jdcamp]

I have a 1 year old and 2 1/2 year and we just purchased a Class A. I know I should have thought about this before, but for some reason I just assumed that putting their car seats on the couch with the seatbelts would be ok. But now I am reading that the car seats should not be installed side facing. We only have one captains chair, the front passenger chair. What are other people doing?
TIA

 

[nessz79]

We have the same sort of situation, except we have 2 swivel chairs instead of a couch. They are both side facing, at an angle, when locked into position. We put the kids there in their car seat/booster (5 year old, booster). It's an old RV so there are only lap belts, so I'm not sure what good the booster does for the 5 year old, but at least the 3 year old isn't complaining .

Our only other option is the dinette and I don't feel comfortable with the table there. Plus they can kick each other under the table. *sigh*

That's only what we do. Not sure if it's the best thing, but it was the best we could come up with.

 

[PrincessNana]

The only place in our RV that has a place to tether the car seat is at the dinette. And you have to put the dinette in the down position in order to put the carseat there. That didn't work for us, (no one else could sit there) so I put the car seat (only need one) on the sofa--with the lap belt--and one of the adults always sits next to it. Its not the best , but its all we could come up with. We're not even sure what rules apply to rv's as far as the police go. No one could give us an answer. We're doing the best we can, but I'm sure we're wide open for a ticket.

 

[jdcamp]

No one wants to give you a straight answer on this topic. I have read other areas where people say it is best to follow in a separate car. But, wow, there goes the idea of family vacations. I think installing the car seat on the sofa is going to be the best and safest option for us. I think this is going to be safer then when we had our fifth wheel trailer because, our 2 golden retirevers would be right there in the back of the trcuk with kids. I was alsways afraid of them hurting the kids in an accident, or if we had to brake quickly.

Thanks for all of your honest answers.

 

[kscsluvmickey]

I have a 1yo and a 5yo and I had the same questions so I did a google search and came up with this website (dont have enough posts for links, but I will PM you if you need it)
It is from 06 so laws may have changed but at least it will give you an idea of what to expect from all states on your journey.
Quick glance for FL RVers Living areas of RVs are exempt from car seat ticket laws, but for safety sake, we will be using car seats for both of our kids.

HTH!

 

[kscsluvmickey]

Bump to up my posts for links...LOL

 

[kscsluvmickey]

Sorry for all the posts, but I wanted to post this link for you guys!

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/occupant_restraints_chart-4-3-06.pdf

 

[jdcamp]

Thank you!! From everything I am reading I think putting their car seats on the sofa (using the seatbelts attached to the motorhome) will be the best option for us. THanks so much

 

[ChristusG]

I've done a lot of research on this topic because we considered getting a motorhome and we have two young children still in carseats. Honestly, there is no safe place in an RV to put a carseat. Side facing is definitely not safe because car seats at not designed to protect when side facing.

And in majority of motorhomes (actually, I havent been able to find any that are not like this) the only two seats that are actually connected to the steel chasis of the vehicle are the drivers seat and the front passenger seat. All of the other seats are just connected to the floor.

I was really bummed when I found all of this out, as I was seriously contemplating getting a Class A....or possibly a C. This has deterred me though. I'm a real stickler for car safety as there are many crazies out there on the road. I dont want to ride in a vehicle that is not safe for my children. I do understand that the larger the vehicle, the safer you are.....but still, it does not set my mind at ease.

The "safest" option would be if you have a forward facing captains chair that can be locked into position. Though, this is still not a very good option because you cannot usually use the tether on your childs carseat....and also, the chair is probably not connected to the RV's steel frame. Plus, the cushioning on the chair is a problem as well.

:::sigh::: I wish they would make a more "safe" motorhome for families. For couples it is fine as they can just sit in the front drivers and passengers chair while traveling.