We just purchased a 2015 Winnebago ERA 170C and discovered there is only one seat belt installed for the sofa (side facing and located on the slide out). When we looked at the 2016 it had two seat belts, so we assumed the 2015 would as well. I asked the service manager at the dealer about it and he read on the door post label the vehicle is rated for 3 belted passengers. He said DOT would not allow him to install a fourth belt.
Is this true? Is there any way around this and provide safe seating for four people in this RV?
Thanks!
Lucky Mike said
02:40 AM Apr 18, 2016
well I havnt researched your vehicle but. if your coach is designed for 3 passengers you will find it difficult to get anyone to add another safety belt for any reason due to liability...............
geds said
04:22 PM Apr 18, 2016
I contacted Winnebago and haven't gotten an answer yet from them whether they would do it if I brought the RV to them. The 2016 model has two sets of belts (they are just lap belts) on the sofa. I don't know why it would be so difficult on the 2015.
Lucky Mike said
03:41 PM Apr 19, 2016
Research done.......the 2015 model was submitted as a 2 passenger model , that would be the reason that there is only one belt in the rear compartment....that belt was placed so the passenger could ride either upfront or in the back........the Vehicles VIN reflects this.......
geds said
05:58 PM Apr 19, 2016
I was able to speak with Winnebago's Customer Service today who informed me that even if I brought the vehicle to their factory, they would not install another seat belt. He said there were structural enhancements made in the 2016 to allow them to change.
I asked if they could weld/bolt a piece of steel to the undercarriage to strengthen it - would they then be able to install the seat belt. He said they would not do so for liability reasons. But, he said I might could find someone else willing to do so and what I proposed was essentially what Winnebago did for the 2016 model. I asked whether installing a belt myself would affect the warranty and he said it would not - just the new belt would not be covered.
I wonder if anyone on the forum has undertaken the task?
We just purchased a 2015 Winnebago ERA 170C and discovered there is only one seat belt installed for the sofa (side facing and located on the slide out). When we looked at the 2016 it had two seat belts, so we assumed the 2015 would as well. I asked the service manager at the dealer about it and he read on the door post label the vehicle is rated for 3 belted passengers. He said DOT would not allow him to install a fourth belt.
Is this true? Is there any way around this and provide safe seating for four people in this RV?
Thanks!
I asked if they could weld/bolt a piece of steel to the undercarriage to strengthen it - would they then be able to install the seat belt. He said they would not do so for liability reasons. But, he said I might could find someone else willing to do so and what I proposed was essentially what Winnebago did for the 2016 model. I asked whether installing a belt myself would affect the warranty and he said it would not - just the new belt would not be covered.
I wonder if anyone on the forum has undertaken the task?
Thanks for your help Mike!