Legal question

[bezzabsa]

just wondered what the legalality of seating is in a camper conversion.
We have 3 kids 14,13 and 6 and if we did a conversion would we need seat belts in the rear seating? - this is if children are allowed to travel in the rear while moving.

[dingdangdo]

forward facing seats NEED to have seat belts fitted, but side facing bench seats do not, mainly as it would be dangerous to have them, we have our kids in the back and we have side bench seats, they soon learn to hang on , the speeds you can go around corners with a full loaded camper wouldn't make anyone fall off the side facing seats, more chance of things falling out the cupboards

[bezzabsa]

thanks for the reply, our main concern was our 6 year old as he has Autism, Aspergers and AD/HD.
Did have a quick look through the haynes camper book, but couldnt see a lot to do with the law in it!

[dingdangdo]

it is a massive gray area

[pippin]

Lots of info on http://www.motorhomefacts.co.uk - do a search on the forum there.

The selfbuild motorhome site would be another good source of info.

Despite the experience of the other poster, being unbelted anywhere in a vehicle is dangerous.

Side-facing seats are really a no-no for that reason alone.

Set aside any legalities - safety counts for more.

[sc_BK]

You can get seats with built in belts pretty cheap, all you do is bolt them in with spreader plates underneath, this is how the van conversion companies do it

[vault]

I have a similar conundrum which I have touched on in another section on this site. Apart from the insurance question, which mine will only insure on a total of 5 seats but not 6 (triple seat in back with belts ), and the required certificate of conformity, etc, etc. Is it better to fit these seats rear facing behind bulkhead or forward facing like a proper cab-in-van?

[bezzabsa]

You can get seats with built in belts pretty cheap, all you do is bolt them in with spreader plates underneath, this is how the van conversion companies do it

Thats what we have fitted - but im concerened about the side facing seats/beds that campers have fitted, not mini-bus type seats.

[day]

the law seems a little unclear. the department of transport website states that children can never travel in a vehicle without a seatbelt. passengers (adult ones i guess) can travel in rear facing seats if they are sitting behind the front seats and the front seats are equiped with airbags. seat belts must never be fitted to side facing seats, have no idea if they can carry passengers, i think they can but the law is currently under review. but obviously law is clear when it comes to kids.

[SCANIAMAN]

only my point of view,but i would'nt want anyone in the rear without belts,life is to short to start with,without losing it through no belts at all,better safe than sorry