One of the best aspects of owning a RV is that you can take your second home on the road. It is a place to relax and a way to enjoy new destinations and open roads. Because of this, you or your loved ones may wonder if they can ride in the back of an RV trailer.
Can you ride in the back of an RV trailer or Fifth-Wheel.
The answer is No you cant Because the RV Trailer or 5th Wheel motor home does not have safety belts.But Here is a list of states that allows it.
Here are some guidelines to Can you ride in the back of an RV trailer
This is a tricky situation because every country is different and the rules even change depending on the type of RV you have. Many countries have different rules for touring RV trailers and fifth-wheels. Then the question arises whether it is safe. Even if something is legal, that doesn’t mean it’s safe or smart.
Most RV Trailers do not have seat belts, which means that if there is an accident with the passengers, they can be seriously injured or even killed.
I would recommend never driving a RV trailer or fifth-wheels if it is not equipped with the proper seat belts, and even so I would be reluctant due to the lack of airbags and other safety features.
One person can drive and the other family members can relax in a RV trailer or fifth-wheels with more space and access to a kitchen or bathroom.
This is a tempting idea. While I don’t recommend it, I would like to say that it is allowed in some countries.
Only some states require these safety precautions, but we feel it would be good to follow them in any instance. We want to make sure that you’re always prepared for what may come and keep you and your passengers safe.
The best way to stay safe is not to ride in a towed vehicle, but if you plan to do so, check out the following.
Safety Glass
Most travel trailers don’t come with safety glass windows, so it is important to remember not to ride in it until you can get them switched out. Safety glass (tempered or laminated) windows have a layer of material in between two pieces of glass that are bonded to them.
This layer helps hold the glass together if it breaks, which is the same way that car windshields are made. If you get into an accident, a rock kicks up, or the widow is shattered for whatever reason, safety glass helps make sure the passengers aren’t showered with a bunch of glass.
Access
Ensure you can gain access from either side of the travel trailer! Make sure the doors are unlocked if traveling with passengers.
If you were to get in an accident with the doors locked, emergency responders would be delayed in getting into the camper trailer to administer medical treatment. You want to ensure that the door can be opened from the inside as well. This would allow passengers to escape a dangerous situation before emergency workers even arrive.
Children
This may seem like a no brainer, but don’t allow young children to ride in the travel trailer without adult supervision. You will want someone in the trailer to ensure they stay seated the entire time and aren’t up and running around.
As you may remember from riding the school bus in your younger years, you never want to walk around a moving vehicle. Not only is this not safe, but a wobbly trailer makes it harder on the driver of the towing vehicle.
Communication
It is crucial that there is a way to communicate from towed vehicle to driving vehicle. This could be cell phones or 2-way radios. We suggest the 2-way radios because you will not always have cell phone service.
With 2-way radios, if anything happens in either vehicle, the information can be relayed immediately. If an injury occurs in the travel trailer, you want to be able to tell the driver to stop or seek medical treatment right away. If something is going on out on the road, the driver should be able to tell the passengers in the RV to brace themselves or hold on if things are going to get bumpy.
Pets
We, very strongly, suggest NOT leaving your pets in the travel trailer while it is in motion. They have no idea what is going on and why you left them there.
They may panic and get destructive while the trailer is moving, and you have no way to help calm them down or protect them if an accident was to occur. Even if you crate your pet, we strongly suggest you do not travel with your pet alone in the back of a travel trailer.
For some additional information check out our article called Is it Safe To Leave a Pet in an RV? where we discuss tips for traveling with pets in an RV and leaving a pet in an RV while you are away.
What States Can You Ride in a RV Travel Trailer or Fifth-Wheel
According to the AAA, many states allow passengers to ride in a RV trailer or fifth-wheels while driving. I will list the States below.
However, double check the laws of your country. These laws are subject to change and that means they are no longer legal. Also, remember that when crossing state lines, you must now comply with the laws of that state.
States That Allow Riding in a Travel Trailer or Fifth-Wheel
The following states do allow you to ride in a travel trailer or Fifth-Wheel . However, each one has a different description of what kind of RV qualifies, so check your local laws.
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana (fifth-wheel only)
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania (fifth-wheel only)
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin (fifth-wheel only)
It is important to note that most countries with fifth wheels laws only allow use if there is a two-way communication device between the driver and passenger in the fifth wheel. Also, always check the laws in your area or in the areas you will be visiting and passing through. As I said above, laws can change and what was legal then doesn’t always mean its legal now.
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