recreationalvehicle

Recreational Vehicles and Child Passengers

If you are planning on renting, purchasing, or traveling in a private recreational vehicle (RV) with children be aware:

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, 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?

RV's 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 RV's 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 hold 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.
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.

Best Practice Recommended Alternatives

1. Best Alternative (Recommended)

Drive the child in a passenger vehicle so they can be properly restrained and follow the RV (Class A, B or C's).

2. Second Best Alternative

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 that:

The driver must be experienced and familiar with towing a trailer behind their vehicle.
These are high-profile vehicles, meaning it is restricted during high wind conditions and can be difficult in making sharp turns and backing; and
For those traveling with infants and toddlers, remember to childproof the RV. See "Additional Travel Safety Tips for Traveling with Children (infants & toddlers) in RV's".

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:

There is still a risk of cabinets and kitchen equipment anchored onto wooden joists can break apart and injure passengers
Storage items can become projectiles and injure passengers

Remember this is the least safe for any rear passenger and not ideal nor recommended for child passengers.

Questions Call 323-491-6197

Classes of Recreational Vehicles

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 van conversion that weight between 6,000-8,000 pounds. These are required to meet Federal seat belt standards for front occupants. But not for rear occupants. Each manufacture has different standards and some that do test. Best to contact each manufacturer regarding seat belt standards and testing.

Class 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.

Recreational Vehicle Seat Belt Concerns

Many classes of RV's have lap belt only or lap-shoulder belts in the dinette and side seating. However, these often can give a false sense of security. Depending on the manufacturer, most rear (cabin) seating have seat belts that are bolted onto steel mounts or directly to the floor (as shown in these photos). A safety concern however to adult and child passengers is that 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. There are two companies that voluntarily conduct occupant testing of their RV's, 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 (see crash test video's below).

Recreational Vehicle Crash Tests by Manufacturer

Roadtrek Class B Crash Test
Roadtreck Motorhomes, Inc. a company in the United States conducts its 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.

Bailey RV Crash Test (U.K.)
Bailey motor homes, a company in the United Kingdom, does its 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 were thrown from their restraint system causing serious injury. What can be seen in the videos below, 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 its 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).

See Resources for CPSTs (Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians)