Open container?

[Cornholio]

This is probably a dumb question. I would never drink and drive, but could we get in trouble for having an open bottle of wine in the frig or bottle of booze with the seal broken? I guess technically it is an open container, but...?

I appreciate your help.

Randy

[MartySQ]

United States open container laws - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It usually does not apply to the living quarters of Motor Homes.

[slickest1]

I think if it is away in a cupboard or fridge you will be ok. I always have partial bottles in my bar cabinet but have never been stopped or checked other than at the US/Can border, and never has been a problem. It is considered your home as far as I know.
If you have an open container in the cockpit it then may be an issue.

[FlyingDiver]

I think the rule is "accessible from the passenger compartment", which is why open bottles in the trunk of a car are OK. For an RV, I think as long as it's not reachable from the cockpit you're fine. We certainly have open bottles in our kitchen, and don't worry about it at all.

[OrngTrillium]

I'll take the experienced word that it's probably fine if it's not reachable (particularly if you can blow well under the legal limit).

Just a thought for those who want added assurance, inverter/genny plug and wine cellar/cooler in the basement. Probably overkill though.

[Sailorbuoy]

"If the driver has not consumed any alcohol, an open container of a malt beverage (beer, malt liquor, ale, hard lemonade) or unfortified wine (table wine, champagne) is not prohibited:
• In the passenger area of a motor vehicle designed, manufactured and used primarily for transportation of persons for compensation (buses, taxi-cabs, etc.);
• In the living quarters of a motor home or home car;
• In a house trailer."

[homeless]

If the open container is empty, isn't it trash?

[wildmandmc]

as long as its out of reach, an not immediately accessably its legal. as you would have to stop the coach, get out of seat, walk to frig, ect.... but if parked, take keys out of ignition.

[dons2346]

Why do people worry about things like this?

How many of you have ever been stopped for anything and then have your rv searched?

[chief02]

The OP simply had a curious question. I appreciate him asking and the resulting conversation. The only dumb question is the one not asked.

[CampDaven]

I like to eliminate all worries, all questions, all risks. I have a cooler in an outside bay. It doesnt take but a moment to retrieve it.

Also, if you have a passenger, they CAN get to the hooch FOR you, from anywhere in the coach.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by dons2346

Why do people worry about things like this? How many of you have ever been stopped for anything and then have your rv searched?

At the Canada border, either direction, random selection.

[Superslif]

Well, kind of along the same lines....In the PA. State Parks, as you check in, they ask " Do you have any alcoholic beverages in your RV"? I kind of remember them asking this the last 3 seasons. Been to about 5-6 PA. parks in that time. So I kind of keep my beer I drink hidden and in a bottle cozy while sitting at the camp fire. But I do see other RVers openingly having wine at dinner on the picnic tables.

Now, the Ohio State Parks I believe the rule is "Open display of alcohol". There I'll see people walking around with beer and wine coolers, but most of the time they have them in a cozy. In Ohio (state parks) I will see a lot more open consumption of beverages and empty cans laying on the ground, especially by the campfire ring.

[scenic route]

Originally Posted by CampDaven

At the Canada border, either direction, random selection.

Yep, we entered Canada at Bonner's Ferry, ID and were selected for a full hour 'random' search by 4 of Canada's finest. We had beer in the fridge and opened booze containers in the cabinet...nothing was said. Glad we didn't have any thing illegal, THAT was some search.