Most states prohibit passengers from driving in a towed RV trailer, whether it`s a passenger trailer or a fifth wheel towbar. They also include RVs in their laws, so be sure to check every state you pass through, even if you have one. Travel trailers, for example, can be mounted in the back of standard cars. Motorhomes, on the other hand, are what you`ll see in the back of a van. In addition, many States discourage drivers from towing boats at the back of trailers for safety reasons. Arkansas is one of the few states where drivers can tow more than one recreational vehicle, says AAA. Some states also don`t allow you to tow trailers home beyond a certain distance without permission. Most travel trailers do not have safety glass, so it is important not to mount them until you can replace them. Safety glass windows (tempered or laminated) have a layer of material between two pieces of glass stuck to them. This layer helps hold the glass together when it breaks, in the same way that car windshields are made.
If you have an accident, if a stone pops up or if the widow is broken for some reason, safety glass helps ensure that passengers are not showered with a glass packet. It seems obvious: of course, you know what you`re driving. But if that state highway patrol stops you, a “campervan” isn`t enough. Every driver needs to know exactly how their withdrawal is classified. Riding in a fifth wheel while riding is allowed, but only in 19 states. In general, the same rules used to ride in a travel trailer also apply to driving in a 5th wheel. Many people I`ve spoken to believe that driving a 5th wheel is legal and that it`s common knowledge. But some states allow it, others don`t.
So be sure to check the regulations of your state (or states you`ll be traveling to). It is dangerous to drive without a loop in a tour trailer, semi-trailer or RV, regardless of its construction or state law. Yes, it is legal to drive in the back seat of an RV. And most of the above safety guidelines also apply to driving in the back seat of an RV. This is one of the great advantages of a motorhome over a trailer. Check out our Class C vs Travel Trailer article, where we look at this and other questions to help you decide which type of RV is best for you. I always recommend renting an RV before buying one so you can try it out first. Outdoorsy is a great place to rent all types of RVs. Also, you usually don`t have seat belts or other safety features in an RV trailer.
What happens if you have an accident? It is perfectly legal to drive in the back seat of an RV. But is it legal to get into a trailer while it`s being towed? The laws are different in each state. States such as Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and North Carolina allow passengers to ride in the back of a tour trailer. However, some states require that safety glass be installed in the trailer to legally transport passengers. The rules here vary from state to state. In some places, age limits apply to passengers travelling in pulling motorhomes. In Hawaii, for example, passengers under the age of 13 are not allowed to climb in the back when the RV is in motion. In Kansas, the age limit is 14. I totally agree with that! Driving in a trailer or leaving your pet in the trailer while driving is a terrible idea! And while the person towing the trailer may be a careful driver, you can`t predict the behavior of other motorists. Another driver could hit the trailer from behind or side.
On the other hand, California and other states allow people of all ages to ride in fifth wheel hitches or motorhomes only if they can communicate clearly with the driver. Mobile phones can lose their cellular service, which includes devices such as radios. Surprisingly, many states allow you to ride in a tour trailer while it`s being towed. Some, like Georgia and Idaho, allow drivers to do so without restrictions, the AAA reports. But in California, you can only ride in a towed trailer with a door that opens from the inside. Even if the driver avoids a collision, unsafe driving practices can also endanger the passengers in a trailer. For example, the driver may have to swerve unexpectedly to avoid an obstacle. This could result in unsecured objects colliding in the trailer with passengers. Being pushed into the walls of the trailer can also hurt. Even if it`s legal, give it a try, and then tell us how bad it went.
Be sure to access it from both sides of the trailer! Make sure the doors are unlocked if you are travelling with passengers.