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MarcoMatt · 02-04-2021, 09:31 PM

We’re back on the hunt for an RV. This time we’re looking at a bigger class c. We will be traveling with 2 kids in child seats.

Is there anywhere to find a list of either models/manufacturers that have had Latch or belts that are installed to the frame (not just the bench)?

RVThere · 02-05-2021, 02:03 AM

I'm not sure about a list, but look at the new Winnebago Ekko. My daughter-in-law has officially approved their rear seating for my grandkids. Seems they have more automotive type seats with tethers.

Unfortunately, in today's hot RV market, they're getting top dollar and delivery is going to be months away!

I know the Winnebago View J-model has one seat with a tether.

Trapper2022 · 02-05-2021, 08:00 AM

Attached to the frame probably none. I can’t think of any cars that are attached to the Frame since cars are now built on unibody construction. My cars are attached to the floorboards like most. My Jeep is not attached to the frame and it does have a frame. Good luck

Enjoy the journey

DirtRider · 02-05-2021, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trapper2020

Attached to the frame probably none. I can’t think of any cars that are attached to the Frame since cars are now built on unibody construction. My cars are attached to the floorboards like most. My Jeep is not attached to the frame and it does have a frame. Good luck

Enjoy the journey

I agree with this. I think most would be just bolted to the plywood floor.

OP, I bet you could get some larger tether points and install them with larger bolts to the floor.

I wouldn't attempt to over-engineer it, though. Even assuming a massive wreck of, say, 20G's--there won't be that much force on the tethers. And the rest of the MH will be disintegrating around it. Sorry to be so dark.

Tombsy · 02-05-2021, 12:29 PM

On my Forester the seatbelts on the jackknife sofa are anchored to the floor.

Healeyman · 02-05-2021, 02:15 PM

HERE is what we did with our Grandtwins 20 years ago.

I welded up a couple of SUBSTANTIAL sub-frames for the car seats.

HERE is what they look like nearly 20 years later when graduating from college.

Tim

SeeTheUSA · 02-05-2021, 03:26 PM

I think it’s also important to be sure the little ones are facing to the rear, not forward. At least up until a certain age (of which I don’t know).

Must admit, however, back when our two sons were little, a flimsy plastic strap with a common snap was all they had to keep them from popping out of the seat that had the rear part stuck between the car seat bottom and back. Other than the occasional Burger King crowns, of course.

rv2come · 02-05-2021, 08:30 PM

FWIW, we’ve found no class C with two tethers in the dinette area. The only option is to have one of the kids up front in the passenger seat, which isn’t great either. I believe Winnebago says they tether to the frame, but I don’t know how with the slides. And even those only have one tether. Many of the other class C’s we’ve looked at have tethers and I was told even the ones that just look like they’re in the dinette are actually in the frame, though again, with slides I do t know how that works.

There are some 4 point harness seats you might be able to use if your kids are a bit older. I’ve also read about shops that do handicap conversion vans being able to install them.

In general, it’s just not nearly as safe as a car. Just the volume of potential projectiles makes it far more dangerous. We’re looking into adding a tether but It’s probably one of those things that just makes us feel safer. After all, school buses don’t have seatbelts!

Eta that if you find a good solution please let us know!

VanDiemen23 · 02-05-2021, 09:30 PM

There needs to be a stickey for this topic. It's come up a ton in the past year.

JJ Holiday · 02-06-2021, 01:08 AM

Winnebago View/Navion with the booth dinette has one tether and a great spot to tether a second seat to the steel base of the drivers seat.

MarcoMatt · 02-06-2021, 08:06 PM

I’ll be looking into the Winnebago options thank you for those pointers.

Cruise America RVs have 2 points for car seats in the dinette but I understand they have custom build RVs.

We want to be out in it for a while so would prefer not to rent.

frank1018 · 02-07-2021, 12:07 AM

We have grandkids. Its mental for us to have them in seats. The 5 year old is her her car seat still that has over the should strap. We had to lap belt the seat but the belts were floor bolted. The 7 year old we purchased a booster with over the shoulder built in at target and lap belted with the seat belt bolted to floor. We had only one rear floor tether in out motorhome at the dinette. Probably could have added a second tether. Never checked into it. The dinette would rear face, but tether was facing forward. Sofa sideways, so forward facing was not too feasible.