One of the questions we hear quite regularly from first-time hirers is, “Do motorhomes have enough seat belts for everyone?”
It’s an understandable question because the inside of a motorhome can be a little confusing at first. Once you’re parked, the lounge feels like a living room, the table becomes somewhere to eat, and some of the seating even turns into beds. So it’s easy to assume that every seat can be used while you’re travelling.
That isn’t always the case.
Modern motorhomes do have seat belts, but only on their designated travelling seats. Before booking, it is worth checking that the vehicle has enough belted seats for everyone in your group, particularly if you’re travelling with children.
Sleeping spaces and travelling seats are different things
One of the biggest misconceptions is that if a motorhome sleeps four people, four people can automatically travel in it.
Sometimes that’s true.
Sometimes it isn’t.
The number of berths tells you how many people can sleep in the motorhome overnight. The number of designated travelling seats tells you how many passengers can travel safely while the vehicle is moving.
That distinction matters more than many first-time hirers realise.
For example, a lounge seat might convert into a comfortable bed in the evening, but that doesn’t automatically make it somewhere someone should sit while you’re driving.
When you’re comparing different motorhomes, always check both the sleeping capacity and the number of belted travelling seats.
Where are the seat belts?
Every motorhome is slightly different, but you’ll usually find seat belts in:
- the driver’s seat
- the front passenger seat
- designated travelling seats in the lounge or dinette area
Depending on the layout, those rear seats may face forwards or backwards and may use different types of seat belts.
When you collect the motorhome, the hire company should show you exactly where passengers should sit before you leave. It’s one of the most useful parts of the handover because it removes any guesswork before you set off.
Can someone sit anywhere once you’re driving?
No.
Once the motorhome is moving, everyone should remain in one of the designated travelling seats with their seat belt fastened.
It can be tempting, particularly on longer journeys, for someone to stretch out on a rear sofa or move to the dining table for more space. However comfortable it looks, that area is designed for when you’re parked, not while you’re travelling.
The same applies to beds.
They are for sleeping once you’ve arrived, not somewhere for passengers to relax during the journey.
Travelling with children
This is usually where people have the most questions.
Children need exactly the same consideration in a motorhome as they do in a car. Depending on their age and size, they may need a child seat or booster seat that works with the type of seat belt fitted in the motorhome.
Not every rear travelling seat is identical, so it’s always worth asking before you book if you’re bringing young children.
Before confirming your hire, check:
- how many designated travelling seats the motorhome has
- what type of seat belts are fitted in the rear
- whether your child seat is compatible
- whether everyone in your group has a suitable travelling seat
Sorting this out before your holiday makes collection day much easier.
What about dogs?
If you’re taking your dog away, remember they need to travel safely too.
Rather than letting them move freely around the motorhome, it’s much safer to use a suitable travel harness or secure crate that suits both your dog and the vehicle.
Once you’re parked, they’ll have far more freedom to relax, but while you’re on the road it’s worth thinking about their safety just as much as everyone else’s.
A few things to check before setting off
Before every journey, it’s worth taking a minute to make sure everything is ready.
Check that:
- everyone is sitting in their designated travelling seat
- seat belts are fastened correctly
- child seats are secure
- loose items have been packed away
- cupboards and doors are closed properly
- the dining table is secured if required
It only takes a couple of minutes, but it helps make the drive much more comfortable and avoids things moving around unexpectedly once you’re on the road.
Choosing the right motorhome for your group
One of the easiest ways to avoid problems is to think about travelling seats before you choose your motorhome, rather than after you’ve booked it.
If you’re travelling as a couple, this is rarely something you’ll need to think about. For families or groups, though, it’s worth checking that everyone has a designated travelling seat with a seat belt, particularly if you’ll be bringing child seats or booster seats.
When you book with Driveaway Holiday, we’ll talk through your plans before recommending a motorhome. That means looking at more than just how many people it sleeps. We’ll also make sure the layout works for your group, explain where everyone should travel during the handover, and answer any questions before you set off.
That way, you can begin your holiday knowing everyone has a comfortable and appropriate place to travel from the very first mile.
A little planning makes the journey easier
The best motorhome holidays are the ones where the practical details have already been sorted.
Knowing everyone has a proper travelling seat, checking child seats fit correctly and understanding how the layout works means you can concentrate on the enjoyable part of the trip instead.
After the first few miles, it all becomes second nature. Most first-time hirers quickly realise that travelling in a motorhome is much simpler than they expected, especially when they’ve chosen a vehicle that’s the right fit for the people coming along.