Seatbelts in 5th Wheel?

[Dkevdog]

I was wondering (becuase of the legal ability to allow passengers in a 5th wheel with two way communication) if seatbelts could be installed, say in the couch or something for safety. I know that coaches have them. Is this something that is possible for (god forbid) the unexpected??



Kev

 

[Champane Flight]

Yeap

I just came back from a RV show and they had seatbelts on a couch in a motorhome. I would think if you could get a hard mounting spot on the floor of the rig you could put them anyplace.

 

[Eric_77]

Originally posted by Dkevdog

I was wondering (becuase of the legal ability to allow passengers in a 5th wheel with two way communication) if seatbelts could be installed, say in the couch or something for safety. I know that coaches have them. Is this something that is possible for (god forbid) the unexpected??



Kev

Where did you hear that people were alloed in 5th wheels? I had checked on this before deciding against a 5'ver because a RV site listed all the rules and such for trailers and without exception all states prohibted passengers in any trailer regardless of configuration, communication, etc.

 

[SLVRBLT]

Dkevdog-



Check this site: http://www.rvsafety.com/state.htm



This gives each states laws, or lack of, concerning passengers in RV's.



Dave

 

[CRuD]

I think it is a bad idea to put people in the trailer when you tow.

Cattle, pigs, sheep etc etc can't get them selves into trouble like people can. Just a thought.

See Ya

Chris

 

[klenger]

I'd be concerned about passengers in the 5er passing out from fumes, falling, getting hit on the head, etc. If they are conscious, they can't call for help, even with a radio. A few minutes is all it would take. I don't even like the idea of putting our cat back there.

 

[Dkevdog]

Klenger- I think you mean "unconscious"..... but we knew what you meant. Ok... Maybe I should rephrase my question. I do not condone travel in any many whereby it may be considered unsafe. That is actually the reasoning behind my question.



Eric- I checked the site that was posted about RV laws and found nothing. I have been told this by more than one dealer in California, and my neighbor, a police office, said he didn't think it was a good idea. However he said that in California (to his knowledge) it is legal. I do know it is legal to travel in the back of a pickup that has a shell on it without seatbelts. Pretty stupid yes... ..... But I didn't make the laws. My question being still- how can this be allowed without seatbelts??? And if it is legal, allbeit dangerous, why do they not but them in the coach?? And just remember that things not stowed away well, or even if they are, could become airborne in a sudden stop even in a motorhome with seatbelts. As far as the fumes go... ... ... I donno.



Just thinking (dangerous my wife tells me!!!!!). .



Kev

 

[Dkevdog]

Found the Laws....

Sorry, It's amazing what will happen when you spend some time searching a site. I'll save you all the trouble. In a nutshell, it varies by state, and yes, is is legal in CA. (Not in Texas though, Eric)



Here is the linkLaws Regarding Passengers in Trailers



Kev

 

[Champane Flight]

One

I for one think it is dangerous and should only be done in case of emergency(The transport of many people from or to a site,which we did in the service). But,we don't need laws against it. We need a little common sense.

 

[wrk2mtch]

What about riding in a slide-in camper? They don't have seatbelts, but lots of people ride in them. I personally wouldn't be comfortable with people riding in a trailer, but would be ok with them in a camper.

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by Terry H

What about riding in a slide-in camper? They don't have seatbelts, but lots of people ride in them. I personally wouldn't be comfortable with people riding in a trailer, but would be ok with them in a camper.

No offense Terry, but I fail to see the difference. Anything, anywhere (be it in your truck, your slide in camper, Tow trailer or 5er) is gonna become airborne when you plow into the idiot who cut you off or slam the brakes to avoid him. Bottom line is without a seatbelt, it doesn't matter where you sit, you're gonna get hurt in an accident.



That, once again, is the reason for even bringing it up. I have a 3 & 7 year old, and they aren't riding anwhere but in the back seat of that truck (sure wish it had a couple extra doors though... . )



IF and thats a great big IF there could be a way to safely restrain a passenger in a 5er, ONLY then would I even consider it. And certainly not the kids.



Kev

 

[SOLER]

Don't you guys remember the TV show "Knight Rider?" David Hasslehoff would drive up the ramp of the 18-wheeler, and there would be that chick and the ole fart in there, and they would all be walking around without seatbelts or anything! Just a thought.

 

[DRR-24V]

Re: Re: Seatbelts in 5th Wheel?

Eric,

Unless we have a new law since I retired it is legal to have passengers in a 5th wheel in CA. as long as they can communicate with the Driver via radio, etc. I don't think it wise but it is legal. !

 

[SteveH]

Unless many states have changed in the last year, I couldn't find a single state that banned riding in a 5th wheel. I have never personally heard of anyone being in a 5th wheel when it crashed, can't even say I know anyone who has crashed one. i can't even find where the two way communication is required. State laws are readily available on the net for anyone willing to check out subjects like this one if they are really concerned. BUT: I did find out years later, that my kids were mooning people as we passed them while were riding in the 5th wheel. Oh well!

 

[SteveH]

Unless many states have changed in the last year, I couldn't find a single state that banned riding in a 5th wheel. I have never personally heard of anyone being in a 5th wheel when it crashed, can't even say I know anyone who has crashed one. i can't even find where the two way communication is required. State laws are readily available on the net for anyone willing to check out subjects like this one if they are really concerned. BUT: I did find out years later, that my kids were mooning people as we passed them while were riding in the 5th wheel. Oh well!

 

[Dkevdog]

Steve- either the laws have changed or you weren't aware. Only 7 states (California and Montana being two of them) that have laws allowing passengers. Most states it is not legal, or they have no laws specifying.



Kev

 

[SteveH]

Originally posted by Dkevdog

Steve- either the laws have changed or you weren't aware. Only 7 states (California and Montana being two of them) that have laws allowing passengers. Most states it is not legal, or they have no laws specifying.



Kev

Kev,

Did you look in the actual criminal codes or annotated codes or just take information from a website like the one highlighted earlier? I will not believe one word from a website like the one referenced above because we do not know how they did their research, if it is current, or anything else about it. When I checked it out several years ago, we actually went to the states actual motor vehicle laws and read whether it was illegal or not. I called some of the states Highway Patrol Departments. None I actually looked up or talked to said it was illegal to ride in a 5th wheel. I am an ex-cop from Tex. I stay with my old Sgt. for 3 weeks down there every year. They could not find in Tex law where it was illegal to ride in the 5th wheel. If you are talking about conventional box pull trailers, then I would agree that most states outlaw riding in the back. Many cops have seen my wife and kids looking out the windows when cops pass up in over a dozen states. Not one has ever said a word. If a state has no law dealing with being in the 5th wheel, it simply is not against the law in that state. It would be interesting to do this research again and see what all has changed in the last several years. You may very well be right.

 

[RustyJC]

As someone who has pulled 5th wheels for more than a few years, just my humble 2 cents worth.



Seatbelts or no, legal or no, I would never consider allowing anyone (even our Shelties) to ride in a 5th wheel I'm towing. I've unfortunately seen rollovers and other traffic accidents involving 5th wheels and TT's (none involving us so far, thank God!) In every case I can recall, the truck/towing vehicle came out looking much better than the RV. I don't care who built the 5ver or TT - these things look like they disintegrate in a collision! In many cases, it looks like only the frame and floor is left intact - everything else is scattered all over the place. Based on my experience and observations, it's just not worth the risk to me.



As I said, this is just my opinion - each individual will have to weigh the options and make his/her own decision on this matter.



Rusty

 

[Dkevdog]

Good Point

Good point Steve- I know for a fact it is legal in California- the only stipulation being there must be a means of direct two communication between the trailer and the cab. I know this because my neighbor is a current Highway Patrol Lt. He warned me that he personally felt it unsafe. He also suggested checking ahead on a state by state basis with their law enforcement to check for sure. He also said that quizing a few of his officers at random, only two of 7 new if it was or wasn't legal. Guess that means most cops don't even know .



Kev