Robthebrit said:
Is it legal to drive in the back of these campers? The wife has slept in the back while I drive but I have no idea if its legal, it has seat belts. Is the pass through what makes it legal? Would it be legal to ride in the back without a pass though? Whats the difference between a passthough and a class C RV.
Rob
It is legal. I can't cite the statutes, though. Maybe someone else can. I was told years ago that it was legal to ride inside a 5th-wheel pull-behind camper, but not other pull-behind campers, because the 5th-wheel hitch is much safer than the bumper or goose-neck hitch, but I have never confirmed that. I believe it is also legal to ride inside a slide-in (demountable) camper. So I don't think the pass-through has anything to do with it.
Seat belt laws vary from state to state, but to the best of my knowledge most states only require seat belts in the front positions. I think rear seat belts are a marketing item more than anything. This position can be supported by the fact that I've seen some seatbelts that were poorly anchored, giving me the impression that they were for looks only, and not to pass any DOT regulation.
With regard to RV class, for the most part all American motor homes have the pass-through. The only vehicles I've seen without are the expedition-class RVs which, as you know, are rare here, and a few older pickup truck-based Class C motorhomes.
Class A:
Chassis and engine are either supplied by a truck/bus maker, or are custom made by the RV builder. The entire body is made by RV builder. The most obvious way to recognize a Class A is that there is no distinction between the cab area and the cabin area.
Class B:
Van converted to RV, using entire van body.
Class C:
chassis and cab are supplied by auto maker, camper body added by RV builder. A lot of Class Cs use a cut-off van body for the cab, but the fact that they only use the cab and not the entire body distinguishes them from the Class B. Some say that the over-the-cab bed is a distinguishing feature of Class Cs.
There is a lot of confusion about the definitions. For instance, an over-the-road bus (greyhound) converted to an RV is considered a Class A, even though it typically uses the bus body with little alteration, more like a Class B. I think the reason is that anyone who spends over $100K on an RV doesn't want people to think that they are anything less than 'class A.'
Then you might also see the 'Class B+' designation used for Class Bs that have the roof raised and an over-the-cab bed.
Worse yet, some people (mostly advertising/sales folks) define an RVs 'class' by its amenities. I was checking into renting a Class B one time, and the guy told me it was a "full Class A" because it had toilet/shower, kitchen, holding tanks, etc. The 'Class B+' designation also seems to come from the marketing department.
UPDATE: according to
this site in most states it's legal to ride in a truck camper, in some states it's legal to ride in a 5th wheel, and in a few states it's legal to ride in a bumper pull.
'NOTHER UPDATE: I can't find anything comprehensive, but I have found several State info sites that state that the occupants of a motor home, other than the driver and front passenger, are exempt from seatbelt laws.
JUST TO FURTHER THE HIJACK: At least one State, PA, requires children to be in car seats or booster seats (as appropriate) even if they are in trucks, antique or classic cars, the back of a motor home, or in a 'cargo area.' Guess I'll have to get a ton of car seats next time I haul that truck full of babies.
Here's the facts.
