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We are in the process of searching for our new home on wheels. Today we looked at Diesel 1999 National RV Tradewinds. I really like the floor plan but the owner told us that there were no seat belts under the sofas. My husband thinks that if they weren't put in at the time then we don't legally need them. Is that true? I would really worry if we had children riding in the motorhome. I also wonder if they can be added with the original sofa and loveseat. Kathy & Jim
That's kind of strange there is none. Maybe someone took them out? I have (3)three sets under each of the (2)two couches ("J" Sofa and Fold-Out). That's in a '99 Fleetwood American Dream.
Yes mine has a "J" Sofa and across from it it has a fold-out-to-bed couch. The seat belts are there in mine. They were in behind laying on the floor. I just bring them up as I need them. Usually just one for the Grand Daughter.
-- Edited by TRAILERKING on Wednesday 23rd of April 2014 11:56:33 AM
In 1999, the sofa seatbelts weren't required by anybody. Some manufacturers were putting them in, but it wasn't until after 2000 that RVIA started requiring a seatbelt for every person that it was advertised the RV could sleep. That was just to have the RV certified for sale by RVIA. There still was no federal requirement at that time. That came later.
So, that RV may have had seatbelts or it may not have had them.
Legally, I don't know. There may be some type of grandfathered exemption for a coach that old, but I don't know if it's worth spending the time to figure that out. From a safety standpoint, it's better to have the seatbelts than not.
Now, if you put seatbelts in, there's a good chance you may have to install them yourself. Not many places will install seatbelts in RVs aftermarket. There is too much risk of liability should someone get injured.
I certainly wouldn't make this issue a deal breaker unless maybe the County Clerk where you register the RV would require installation of the seatbelts before you could get it registered. I doubt that, but I suppose it's possible.
From a safety standpoint, it's better to have the seatbelts than not. 
