Traveling in an RV?

ZooMommie

We are planning on taking our 10 month old DS with us camping in a few weeks using our parents' 40 foot RV.  I'm wondering if anyone else has done this and has any suggestions about where to put the carseat?

As far as I know, and I'm going to check today, the only seatbelts are on the driver and passenger seats.  We have one of those 3 in 1 carseats that grow with your child - so its pretty bulky and it doesn't sit up on its own. I do know the passenger seat can be turned around so that the person sitting in it can talk to those in the rest of the RV when its stationary, not sure if it can ride like that (if it locks facing that way or not).  If it did and we put the seat there in the "rear facing" position he would then technically be facing forward but he would have the back of the passenger seat between him and the windshield.  But if we put it in the passenger seat (while it is backwards) facing outwards he is facing the back of the RV but he is a lot less secure.

 See what I mean?  Its a 6 hour drive to the site, so he's going to be there a while.

Thanks.

ande0821

Most carseat manuf don't allow installation in vehicle seats that do not face forward.
The safest way to travel is for you to follow behind in your car with LO buckled in the backseat.

SurpriseAt39

Our family is planning an RV trip this summer as well. LO will be 8.5 months.  The RV does have seatbelts at the table, both forward facing and rear facing. There is also a sofa with side facing. 

The table option would have to "stow" the table (push it half way down) in order to put the child's seat there.  It wouldn't be safe in that position. 

I will be following DH in my car with LO for a couple reasons. 1-car seat safety, 2-I tend to get carsick in large vehicles, 3-once we park at the campsite, we will have the car to see sights and shop.

Good luck with your trip.  

ZooMommie

Thanks everyone.

We did find additional seatbelts and were able to get an ok fit at the dinette. Its not the greatest but due to the distance there was just no way I could drive that.  However we took the first opportunity to rent a car and get the seat switched over once we got here so phew!

I wish we could be 100% perfect and always be 100% safe but sometimes we just have to accept a little imperfection and do our best.  We had no choice but for all of us to come.  Thankfully the next time we plan to travel won't be for a while and highly unlikely we will take the RV again anytime in the next few years. It is do able but with an active 10 month old its been an exhausting experience.