Community Forums

chewyjackson · 03-18-2005, 05:29 PM

I have a 24ft Coachman that has seatbelts in the dinette. I can get the carseats for my 2 children as snug as I they should be, but...

My question is... is this the safest spot for them? I started thinking about side impacts. There is literally no metal around them, just the side of the motorhome. The belts bolt way down into the floorboard, but it goes through the box that makes the dinette seat.

Would they be better off in the pasenger side front seat (no air bag) and the single seat that is bolted to the frame directly behind the passenger seat?

Any thoughts would be great. This is the first year that we will be doing a lot of travel. And I want to be as safe as possible

chewyjackson · 03-18-2005, 05:29 PM

I have a 24ft Coachman that has seatbelts in the dinette. I can get the carseats for my 2 children as snug as I they should be, but...

My question is... is this the safest spot for them? I started thinking about side impacts. There is literally no metal around them, just the side of the motorhome. The belts bolt way down into the floorboard, but it goes through the box that makes the dinette seat.

Would they be better off in the pasenger side front seat (no air bag) and the single seat that is bolted to the frame directly behind the passenger seat?

Any thoughts would be great. This is the first year that we will be doing a lot of travel. And I want to be as safe as possible

"007" · 03-19-2005, 01:14 AM

ChewyJ,

When our twins were babies, 8 months, they would travel side by side in car seats on dinette faceing forward. I had to buy longer seat belts to use with car seats. They had the use of the table

an could talk an hold hands as we traveled down the road, they thought that was great fun. As they got older they sat in same spot having fun an talking, you know how girls are.

If they were in separate seats I think they would have been constantly looking for one another

and you would know what kind of ride that would be

If you have two that don't get along with one another

you could put a large pillow between them. You could also use large pillows if your concerned about side impacts. The twins are now 17 an they still travel in the same spot, when there with us.

---"007"

Robert & Kiki · 03-19-2005, 12:30 PM

I've been putting my 2 1/2 yr old in the carseat at the dinette but would sure like to hear more on seating spots. Be a lot nicer in the front seat but have never heard/discussed any safety issues with this setup...

Allegro Happy · 03-19-2005, 02:42 PM

I think everyone has them on the dinette. Because of the fact they are facing front and won't get car sick. Our foster boys liked to sit on the sofa (which has belts) but they were 10 & 11. I NEVER feel safe when kids are riding in MH. IMHO

Retired and Happy · 03-20-2005, 02:11 PM

With three adoptees and two fosters, we put one in the front passenger seat, one in the seat behind that and three on the sofa...all in car seats, all facing the center aisle, and all special needs. No problems in 10 years. That leaves the dinette for my wife, but she usually uses the bed too.