If you are planning on renting, purchasing, or traveling in a private recreational vehicle (RV) with children be aware:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) generally does not crash test RV's. While passenger vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg) are required to meet seat belt standards, because RV's weigh over this amount any seats in the rear cabin of the RV are not required to meet seat belt standards. This includes class A and C, C+ RV's. For class B, RV 's, these can require lap belt only seat belts in the back seating, but only when those carry a chassis-mount campers (over the cab as in a Class-C) that weight between 8,500 lbs (3,833 kg) and 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg).
- The safety of rear passengers (including children) is uncertain due to variations in meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety seat belt requirements and lack of crash testing
- During a collision, wooden benches and cabinets can break apart, and equipment and storage materials can become projectiles causing injury to passengers (see video's below)
- Child safety restraint systems (car seats and booster seats) are NEVER be used in rear-facing or side-facing bench seating in any RV
- Any type of RV (Class A, B, C, C+, or non-motorized tow-able RV's) are high-profile vehicles, so they are restricted during high wind conditions and carry significant risks when making sharp turns and backing
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) generally does not crash test RV's. While passenger vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg) are required to meet seat belt standards, because RV's weigh over this amount any seats in the rear cabin of the RV are not required to meet seat belt standards. This includes class A and C, C+ RV's. For class B, RV 's, these can require lap belt only seat belts in the back seating, but only when those carry a chassis-mount campers (over the cab as in a Class-C) that weight between 8,500 lbs (3,833 kg) and 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg).
What are the risks?
- RVs are not required to have rear occupant crash testing or need to meet Federal seat belt standards for seating located in the back of the RV (depending on the weight of the RV).
- Some RVs that have lap-shoulder belts in the back seating (bench or dinette) are not required to meet Federal seat belt standard 208 (depending on RV Class). For RV's that have seat belts (lap belt or lap/shoulder belts) in the rear bench or dinette seating, be aware that while these are usually bolted into the floor of the vehicle or onto a steel frame that is then bolted into the floor of the vehicle, that during a crash, the wooden frame which holds the seats could break apart. In this case, a child restraint system and occupants in lap/shoulder belts could collapse due to the force of a crash causing injury to passengers. There are standards, procedures, and guidelines adopted by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). However, while these are necessary to meet specific building and safety for the living quarters, there are no safety standards for crash testing that would regulate the strength of locking cabinets, etc. for crashes.
- Kitchen equipment and wooden cabinets could also collapse or become a projectile during a crash. In addition, storage supplies can also become projectiles and injure passengers.
Guidelines for parents:
Alternatives to consider while traveling with a child in an RV
1. Best Alternative (recommended)
Consider a "non-motorized/tow-able RV" (fifth wheel, trailer, tent trailer, truck camper) so the child can ride properly restrained in a child restraint system in a passenger vehicle that tows the RV. Keep in mind that:
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2. Second Best Alternative
3. Least Best Alternative
For those who own an RV or for those considering in purchasing one, have custom seats built in that meet Federal seat belt standards. However, keep in mind that during a collision:
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Classes of Recreational Vehicles (RV's)
Class A
This class is the largest of RV's and are built on a bus chassis. However these are not required to meet bus safety standards. This class of RV weighs between 15,000-30,000 pounds so these are not required to comply with Federal seat belt standards for rear occupants. |
Class B
This class is generally a commercial or passenger van conversion that weighs between 6,000-8,000 pounds. These are required to meet Federal seat belt standards for front occupants. But not for rear occupants. Each manufacturer has different standards. It is best to contact each manufacturer regarding seat belt standards for rear-seating and if it has been crash tested. |
Class C & C+
This class is constructed on a van chassis and weighs between 10,000-12,000 pounds. These are required to meet Federal seat belt standards for front occupants. But not for rear occupants. |
RV Seat Belt and Cabinet/Appliance Concerns
Many classes of RV's have a lap belt only or lap-shoulder belts in the dinette and side seating, but these are not required to meet Federal seat belt standard 208. These seat belts can give a false sense of security for parents when installing a car seat, booster seat, or older child passengers. Depending on the manufacturer, most rear (cabin) seating has seat belts that are bolted onto steel mounts or directly to the floor (as shown in these photos). Because most RVs are not crash tested, a safety concern however to adult and child passengers is during a crash the wooden seat structure and cabinets can fail due to the force of a crash, increasing the risk of injury or death to passengers. Debris and appliances also become projectiles, putting passengers at risk.
Common Van Conversion (Class B) Rear Seating Child Passenger Crash Test
Class B van conversions have become more common that range from private to custom van builds. While front passengers must meet Federal U.S. 208 seat belt standards for Class B vans, even if custom rear seats do meet seat belt standards, without crash testing it is unclear how cabinets and passengers are affected by a vehicle crash. The following video of a European crash test with a Class B van build illustrates how vulnerable rear-seated passengers are at risk as a result of debris, and seats and cabinets collapsing.
RV Crash Testing by RV Manufacturer
There are two companies that voluntarily conduct occupant testing of their RVs, one in the United Kingdom and one in the United States (but only Class B). These tests show how cabinets and seating frames can collapse increasing the risk of injury to passengers. It is recommended to check with the RV manufacturer if they do crash tests and if their seat belts meet Federal seat belt standard 208 before transporting child passengers.
Bailey Motorhomes, a company in the United Kingdom, does it's own crash tests with adult and older-child crash test dummies. They used this testing to make improvements to ensure the safety of occupants. Their tests found that dinette benches collapsed and occupants where thrown from their restraint system causing serious injury. See crash test videos below.
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Roadtreck Motorhomes, Inc. a company in the United States conducts it's own crash tests on Class B RV's. However specifically for adult passengers for head protection, seat belt testing, and seating system testing. However not for child occupants or child restraint systems. Select the image above to view their tests.
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What can be seen in these videos is that during a collision all passengers in the rear of an RV can be at risk of injury or death. While a child restraint system (car seat or booster seat) does provide additional protection, when the wooden supports collapse and cabinets become projectiles there is still significant injury risk to children. If the manufacturer of the RV you are considering does not do it's own crash testing to make appropriate passenger safety modifications, follow the Guidelines for Parents: Alternatives to consider while traveling with a child in an RV (as shown above).
Recreational Vehicle (RV) Seat Belt Laws by State (U.S.)
The following resources provide seat belt laws by state for rear-seating passengers in recreational vehicles (RVs). While these provide the cost of fines by state, as a reminder these are base fines that do not include court and other fees that can increase the total amount significantly.