Fitting additional seatbelts

[LetsGo!]

We have a 2 berth MH, with the two seats being the driver and passenger.

Would like to add a seatbelt to the rear of the van so the Wife can sit in the back and work whilst I'm driving.

Is it possible / allowed to fit an additional seatbelt to a MH?!

 

[Figaro]

It's a question asked a lot and the usual answer is no.
Belts have to be secured to the chassis to a standard and getting that done retrospectively is almost impossible due to certification and the liability placed on the person doing the fitting.
I doubt anybody would touch it, but others may know different ?

 

[LetsGo!]

Thanks Figaro, can imagine this will be a bit of a grey area due to insurance etc. If anyone can shed more light, be much appreciated.

Also, have read that sitting on a side facing seat doesnt require a seat belt?!. Dont really understand how and why this would be different to a normal seat.

 

[DBK]

Thanks Figaro, can imagine this will be a bit of a grey area due to insurance etc. If anyone can shed more light, be much appreciated.

Also, have read that sitting on a side facing seat doesnt require a seat belt?!. Dont really understand how and why this would be different to a normal seat.

The side facing seat question is an easy one - in a head on accident they don't work, the passenger would either break their neck or, if the diagonal strap went the other way, their upper body would not be constrained at all.

There's nothing to stop you fitting a seat belt but you won't find anyone to do it professionally unless the mountings are already there. If you did fit one then you would probably need to remove it for an MoT. Of course, your home fitted seat belt will probably be useless in a crash. You need to find mountings which can take a load of over a tonne I think.

 

[Spriddler]

Motorhome Seatbelts - MotorhomeFun

A common question; I don’t have any seat belts in the back of my motorhome but can I still carry passengers back there.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

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[Terry]

Side seats don’t require seatbelts !
DBK has explained as I type
You can retro fit seats with belts - best to get a seat with belts attached to the seat, that way you’ll only need to use spreader plates when you bolt it through the flooring as the seat itself will have gone through all the safety checks

 

[Spriddler]

Apparently there's this firm who fit additional belts............

Camper Van Seat Belts

SeatbeltServices can install seat belts in your camper van , giving you the ability to travel safe with more passengers.

seatbeltservice.co.uk

 

[HKF]

I wonder if someone fitted a seatbelt in the rear, with all good intentions, and someone using it died in an accident because the belt didn't work or wasn't up to spec, could the fitter be charged with manslaughter? Maybe this is the reason most people / companies wouldn't retrofit them.

 

[CAB96]

You also need to consider a rear impact, what protection does the head and neck have?

 

[Minxy]

The seat base also needs to be strengthened with steel framing, just fitting them onto existing sofas etc which were never meant to be used when travelling isn't safe.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Bobby-gg]

A few years back we went to see a van for the in-laws that was described as 4 berth, for belted seats.
Upon inspection, there was a piece of rusty 2x2 braced into the timber under the seat and two lap belts fastened to it - I wouldn't have used it to strap in my shopping never mind my children!

 

[Neilfg]

We have been looking into a van conversion and adding forward facing bench seat with 2 seatbelts, it is possible. We spoke to a couple of firms who can supply and fit. Scot Seats were very helpful https://www.scotseats.co.uk/Bench-and-Toolbox-Seats. If they or one of their fitters fit it then you get a fitting certificate, which depending on how you approach Insurance and DVSA they may want to see.

I think it unlikely from the conversations I have had that you can fit seatbelts to existing non seat belted seating and expect to be safe, but I do not think it is illegal as such.

Once the seats are added how/if you approach the DVSA and Insurance is not so clear, for DVSA it can be a very easy tick box exercise and they amend the registration doc or it can involve complete check of your van build costing about 250 and a visit to a specialist DVSA test centre. Insurance is apparently hit and miss for some it is a definite No no, others are fine with it.