Community Forums

Greggnsally · 06-09-2017, 09:41 AM

I have a 2005 envoy 38DS03 motorhome, there is only two seatbelts in this coach. Does anyone know if it is possible toto add seatbelts to the futon style couch that's in the slide out? I would like to add two Seatbelts so two additional passengers could ride safely. What type of modifications are needed for me to be able to do this? It looks like I could add an aftermarket seat belt with pan head bolts through the bottom of the slide out so that the clearance is not affected when The slide out out is in motion. Thanks for your input. Gregg

BFlinn181 · 06-09-2017, 10:00 AM

You can add seat belts anywhere you'd like. Problem is, they won't be considered legitimate by Federal authorities. If you anchor them as securely as possible, they may hold a person in the event of an accident, but they won't be 'official.'

A shop, ruled by insurance and liability issues, wouldn't install seat belts in a new location, but you are free to do it yourself. Utilize the strongest bolts and anchor points you can, but they won't be 'official.'

LoggedOff · 06-09-2017, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

A shop, ruled by insurance and liability issues, wouldn't install seat belts in a new location, but you are free to do it yourself. Utilize the strongest bolts and anchor points you can, but they won't be 'official.'

Correct... I can attest that neither Lazy Days or North Trail in Florida would touch the job when I asked them about installing in mine. We travel with a 2 & 4 year old that need to go in car seats. Basically after looking at how the couches are secured in these rigs, I determined that in an accident a human body and seat belt would pretty much act in holding the couch down as well.

Greggnsally · 06-09-2017, 05:13 PM

Thanks I was looking at how the couch was anchored and it certainly would need to be anchored better along with new seatbelts I had not considered the liability issues and the insurance issues with the ad on belts. I will have to keep that in mind. Thanks for your responses.

sailor_lou · 06-09-2017, 06:04 PM

My Envoy was supplied with three seatbelts installed on the driver's side couch. Whether or not they were installed to approved DOT standards I don't know (but I doubt it). In any case they are attached to a steel plate welded to the slide out sub frame and are based on working in the in a nuclear power plant my entire career (where everyone thing need to survive a seismic even), I would say they are more secure than the driver's seat. From a legal sense, who knows, but from a safety view point, they could be safer that the driver's/passenger's seat.