Community Forums

dumb_rv_er · 09-02-2011, 10:50 AM

I am very new to RVs and we of course crazily jumped into a bus to convert right away, instead of a beginning model, money reasons mostly. But anyway, I was wondering if there is a law for there to be a co-pilot seat in a rec vehicle? I am trying to fit everything I want but would love to exclude it. Is that possible?
Thanks and blessings for your kind help,
CJ

FlyingDiver · 09-02-2011, 12:01 PM

Are you asking if you must have a front passenger seat? If so, I really don't think so.

joe

Steve N Sal · 09-02-2011, 12:06 PM

I can't see any reason why you couldn't eliminate that seat if you wanted too.

dumb_rv_er · 09-02-2011, 12:12 PM

Yea kind of, I figure if it is legal not to have one in an RV than our bus conversion doesn't have to have one? Every plan and photo shows a seat on the passengers side to look out front that is like a seat for a car/RV with a seat-belt. But I am disabled, which makes me it very painful to sit for more than an hour or so, it is a waste on me. I would like to skip it if I can legally. During the drive I want to lay down and maybe be able to see out from the couch? I guess maybe because the seatbelt laws now in our "FREE" country?
Thank you for responding,
CJ

EDALLSAILS · 09-02-2011, 12:12 PM

Well if you don't have a co-pilot seat, there won't be any reason to have a co-pilot. Hummm, interesting thought. Quiyer ride? But, Who is going to fetch the beer? (JUST KIDDING)

dsbike · 09-02-2011, 02:56 PM

The best way to find out would be to contact the DMV for the state your bus is registered in, or the states you plan on traviling in.

Francesca · 09-02-2011, 03:13 PM

I'm not sure there's even a law requiring a pilot's (driver's) seat...
Seems to me that since there is no co-pilot in automotive applications, there wouldn't be any rules at all regarding that person.

Francesca

okmunky · 09-02-2011, 03:26 PM

Are seat belts even required for RVs? My dinette came equiped with lapbelts, but I promptly pushed them down under seat decking. Nothing more buns pinching than a seatbelt buckle.

I too, have considered ditching the co-pilot seat. I can think of many better uses for that space and I travel alone. Has anyone replaced it in a class C?

Francesca · 09-02-2011, 03:31 PM

My understanding is that seat belts are required in vehicles wherever they were originally installed by the manufacturer.

Francesca

2912N · 09-02-2011, 03:42 PM

Here is a quote from the California Vehicle Code. Section 27315

"(g) This section does not apply to a passenger or operator with a physically disabling condition or medical condition that would prevent appropriate restraint in a safety belt, if the condition is duly certified by a licensed physician and surgeon or by a licensed chiropractor who shall state the nature of the condition, as well as the reason the restraint is inappropriate. This section also does not apply to a public employee, when in an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 165, or to a passenger in a seat behind the front seat of an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 165 operated by the public employee, unless required by the agency employing the public employee."

Your question is not totally clear. You probably can remove the front passenger seat. But what will you do? Standing in a moving motor home is probably not an option for a long period. Are you going to put some other type of seat or bench in? If so why NOT have a restraint?

powerboatr · 09-02-2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDALLSAILS

Well if you don't have a co-pilot seat, there won't be any reason to have a co-pilot. Hummm, interesting thought. Quiyer ride? But, Who is going to fetch the beer? (JUST KIDDING)

or get you a samich

just couldn't resist

but....if you have no one that needs to sit in the co pilot side...then why would you need a seat?
some vans used to come with only a driver seat back in the 70-80's even charged extra for a passenger seating device

Triker56 · 09-02-2011, 04:18 PM

I had a P30 33' MH that when I went to full time. I needed a place to put a big 2 drawer file cabinet. So the co-pilot seat came out. It was that way when I traded it 3 years later.

File cabinet was moved to new 34' one in a different area.

Dealer didn't even notice the seat was missing until after all the papers were signed. And after I had transferred the cabinet during POI

gbstewart · 09-02-2011, 04:34 PM

Im a bit confused, are you converting a Bus? school,? hwy?, or have a mh and just want to take out the front seat?

gbstewart

blackf3504dr · 09-03-2011, 05:19 AM

I don't know if this answers your question in any way but I have driven a couple tractor trailers that didn't have passenger seats, the companies saw no need to have them in the trucks because they didn't allow passengers....