The new boy - seat bely help required please

[Hurricane J]

Good evening all, i hope this finds you well. Many thanks for approving my registration.



We have hired a motorhome a couple of times and now feel it's time to take the plunge.



Have been looking at a couple of "Swift Bolero 712SB" 2013 and 2015 models and have a query regarding the number of seat belts legally required.



The layout of this model appears to suit what we are looking for and prefer the 2 side facing double seats, behind the driver/passenger seats so we can make up the dining table easier.



Our understanding is this layout "does not" allow for any seat belts on the passengers seats, and they cannot be retro fitted. Our reading of the legalities are this layout is a 4 berth but can only legally carry 2 people when moving?



In principle we are fine with this as it will most likely only be my wife and i who are using it, however i am afraid that it may be less attractive to a family when we go to sell it. Could it also be that if legislation changes in the future it won't comply?



Any feedback on the legislation, proposed change of legislation, saleability etc would be appreciated.



Given we are just dipping our toe in the water we are slight reluctant to spend more that c. £35,000 - £40,000 initially.



In addition, the "front facing" passenger seats don't really suit us.



PS..i am 6'4" so the easier the layout the better



Kind regards

Alistair

 

[M-J]

You are correct, our Bessacarr is the same and there is a good demand for this layout so no need to let it worry you.

 

[Hurricane J]

Thanks for that M-J, any concerns about the seat belts? Just wondered how we stood if carrying passengers w/o seatbelts in the event of an accident

 

[tonka]

Sounds like you have done your homework. Correct on all points ref the seatbelts.
You might be shocked by how many buy a van and then come on here asking how to fit extra seat belts.

 

[Wabs]

Good evening all, i hope this finds you well. Many thanks for approving my registration.



We have hired a motorhome a couple of times and now feel it's time to take the plunge.



Have been looking at a couple of "Swift Bolero 712SB" 2013 and 2015 models and have a query regarding the number of seat belts legally required.



The layout of this model appears to suit what we are looking for and prefer the 2 side facing double seats, behind the driver/passenger seats so we can make up the dining table easier.



Our understanding is this layout "does not" allow for any seat belts on the passengers seats, and they cannot be retro fitted. Our reading of the legalities are this layout is a 4 berth but can only legally carry 2 people when moving?



In principle we are fine with this as it will most likely only be my wife and i who are using it, however i am afraid that it may be less attractive to a family when we go to sell it. Could it also be that if legislation changes in the future it won't comply?



Any feedback on the legislation, proposed change of legislation, saleability etc would be appreciated.



Given we are just dipping our toe in the water we are slight reluctant to spend more that c. £35,000 - £40,000 initially.



In addition, the "front facing" passenger seats don't really suit us.



PS..i am 6'4" so the easier the layout the better



Kind regards

Alistair

I think you’ll find there is a huge market for couples only MHs, they are classified as four berth to give adaptability,and more room,I wouldn’t worry too much about resale value,,just do your homework and decide what suits you not the other way round,,happy hunting.

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[Vipar]

Greetings peeps welcome from West Kent

 

[Just smiffy]

Thanks for that M-J, any concerns about the seat belts? Just wondered how we stood if carrying passengers w/o seatbelts in the event of an accident

Would you drive your car along a motorway at 70Mph with your kids in the back not wearing seatbelts....?

a motorhome is no different..... they’ll still come flying pass you when you hit the car/lorry in front of you...

I’m not being personal but it gets me that I’ve read many times on here that because the vehicle they are driving feels like their front room There’s no need for seatbelts... in fact the results would be Far worse then in a car....

 

[Hurricane J]

Hi Just Smiffy, thanks for your feedback..my thoughts entirely, hence my post. Maybe im missing something but its the fact they can be sold with only 2 seat belts, but can sleep/carry 3-6. It doesnt make sense.

 

[M-J]

Hi Just Smiffy, thanks for your feedback..my thoughts entirely, hence my post. Maybe im missing something but its the fact they can be sold with only 2 seat belts, but can sleep/carry 3-6. It doesnt make sense.

They assume you may have visitors that could stay over, also some couples may want the option for a double bed each.

 

[Just smiffy]

Hi Just Smiffy, thanks for your feedback..my thoughts entirely, hence my post. Maybe im missing something but its the fact they can be sold with only 2 seat belts, but can sleep/carry 3-6. It doesnt make sense.

I know mate .., mines the other way round 4 belts and sleeps two.. well 3 really but you wouldn’t want a third..

but as others have said it’s a good combination your thinking of buying and if you have someone stay with you then they drive there own vehicle to meet you, trust me it’ll probably be better that way..

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[Hurricane J]

Cheers JS, yip i can understand all of that. I guess thats why you buy a motorhome..to get away from everyone and meet new friends! Thanks again, much appreciated.

 

[Just smiffy]

Cheers JS, yip i can understand all of that. I guess thats why you buy a motorhome..to get away from everyone and meet new friends! Thanks again, much appreciated.

Have you looked at the classified section on here...? There’s some good vans on there.... plus you know where they’ve come From.. Good luck

 

[gus-lopez]

Thanks for that M-J, any concerns about the seat belts? Just wondered how we stood if carrying passengers w/o seatbelts in the event of an accident

You can't it is illegal post 2007.& your van is .

but can sleep/carry 3-6. It doesnt make sense.

It can sleep as many as you want but it cannot carry more than there is belts for post 2007.

 

[TheBig1]

The law is a bit slack still about carrying unbelted passengers, but it does state that they should use designated seats fitted with restraints and not inward facing benches

The layout you like is popular but not practical for more than 2 people. If you look at the usage figures, most motorhomes are owned and used by older couples, so 2 seatbelts is fine. If the grandkids want to come along drive them separately in a car

 

[Steve and Denise]

Ha ha like us 6 berth with belts only ever used 2 that was 1 driver and 1 passenger, on the whole most folk who buy this type of van are retired couples with only the odd exception to the norm, no offence ment tonka

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[Hurricane J]

Quick thank you to all for your very helpful feedback, much appreciated. I think i know where im going now. Just wanted to try and futrure proof a bit, given its our first purchase. Thanks again, might even catch up one day

 

[Reallyretired]

Most motorhomes are only used by couples or solos. Ours has four seatbelts but the rear two are only used to secure the dogs harnesses.

 

[sedge]

Ours has 4 forward facing belted seats. Oh plus one rear facing with a lap belt. The fwd ones have been used precisely once and the 3rd, never! But we've only had it 7 years .....

 

[Minxy]

Check the payload - that's a long and very wide MH so you need to know for sure what is already 'on' each axle so you can tell if it has enough capacity left to take your chattels.

 

[TerryL]

We have the earlier model (680FB) of the van you're looking at. We went for the twin facing benches after hiring a Chauson with dinette type seats which we found claustrophobic, as our plan always was to have plenty of personal space when we did our intended longer trips.

As such our "extra" two berths have never been used, which was always our intention anyway. It was simply a feature of the van that suited us best - and we're still more than happy about it 11 years later!

Do check your payload though - we easily went over the MAUW without being silly about what we carried so upgraded it to 3850kg. I believe that's a manufacturers option on the latest models.

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[the1andonly]

Our rapido has side facing seats for the table and due to clever design converts to 2 front facing belted seats. some eldis models have a simular design with forward facing chairs stored in the side facing benches.

Edit
Cant help with your bely problem, a bit bold i know but have you tried a diet.

 

[scotzsue]

Hi Just Smiffy, thanks for your feedback..my thoughts entirely, hence my post. Maybe im missing something but its the fact they can be sold with only 2 seat belts, but can sleep/carry 3-6. It doesnt make sense.

You are right it doesn't make sense but stems fro before seatbelts in the back were a legal requirement. Manufacturers and dealers are now marketing as sleeps x no seatbelts x no much better for those looking to buy. your type of layout is more sociable than a front dinette but we need the extra seatbelts for when we take the grandchildren. miss our 6 berth with 6 seatbelts rear lounge and dinette, but not as much as I would miss our garage.

 

[tonka]

Ha ha like us 6 berth with belts only ever used 2 that was 1 driver and 1 passenger, on the whole most folk who buy this type of van are retired couples with only the odd exception to the norm, no offence ment tonka

Oi. !! Just a reminder that I am now the owner of a shiny gold Burstner. The watertrail went over a year ago

 

[Steve and Denise]

Oi. !! Just a reminder that I am now the owner of a shiny gold Burstner. The watertrail went over a year ago

Oh have you changed your van then

 

[Odd-no-more]

Our old PVC had 3 belted seats plus a bench. We did use the bench to carry passengers, because of the registration date we were allowed, but only for very short local journeys. Never at speed, and never out of town. We nearly bought a 4 berth MoHo but pulled out when we found only 2 belted seats

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[Hurricane J]

Our rapido has side facing seats for the table and due to clever design converts to 2 front facing belted seats. some eldis models have a simular design with forward facing chairs stored in the side facing benches.

Edit
Cant help with your bely problem, a bit bold i know but have you tried a diet.

LOL - i have to say i have trid to edit that title .. without success though.

 

[SuperMike]

Ours has eight seat belts. Four forward facing, two rearward facing and two sideways facing. As, now, it only has to sleep the two of us six of them have been taken out, leaving only the driver and suicide seat. When it goes for it's MOT, the tester never asks where the belts are because he does not recognise them as travel seats, and he's right.