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flatouf · 09-24-2014, 10:44 PM

I'm getting ready to install three point seat belts.
Has anyone done this installation to their moho?

I see the structural support adjacent to my driver/pass. windows
I've heard the support is only 1/8" thick , so I will need to reinforce the support rib. I plan on installing a steel plate, w/ 4 bolts into the structural rib for the shoulder support point.

Any thoughts?

Appreciate any input.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 09-24-2014, 11:52 PM

Hi, this may or may not help, but I spent years trying to figure out how to install shoulder harness belts in my 1959 Ford Galaxie. The floor mounts were easy; Just holes in the floor with huge washers under the floor. the hard part was figuring out how to mount the "D" ring. I finally decided to drill a hole all the way through my "B" pillar post and I used a lug nut stud going all the way though the pillar post. This was the easiest and strongest way that I could come up with.

Protagonist · 09-25-2014, 05:27 AM

Just to make sure, you do know that three-point belts are not required, don't you? Motor vehicles, including motor homes, are only required to meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) that were in effect at the time the vehicle was built. So if it originally didn't have shoulder harnesses, it doesn't legally need them now, either.

I don't fault you for wanting to do it— safer is always better. I just wanted to point out that you don't have to do it.

ponderosaTX · 11-22-2016, 12:43 PM

My wife and I have signed a contract to purchase a used 2010 Airstream Interstate built on a Freightliner chassis. We will pick up the vehicle from the dealer (about 250 miles away) in early December. It appears that some 2010 models (2010.5?) are built on the newer Mercedes chassis equipped with the second generation 3.0L V6. The vehicle that we are buying differs in at least two important respects from the newer 2010 model. First, it has a first generation 3.0L V6 engine rated at 154 hp (which we plan to increase using a Green Diesel Engineering Eco Tune). Second, it only has lap belts in the second row captain's chairs which we want to upgrade to three point belts. As a result, I am gathering information from as many sources as possible and would like to hear about others' experiences regarding the installation of three point belts in older Interstate RVs.

There is an extensive discussion (over 1000 posts) regarding Green Diesel Engineering Eco Tunes at sprinter-source forums web site. For a condensed version see http://sprinter-source.com/forum/sea...archid=2725559.

Isuzusweet · 11-22-2016, 07:44 PM

IMHO you'd be better off installing a late model truck seat with the shoulder belt integrated into the side of the seat. You could even run power to power the seat and get a nicer seat to boot for long distant driving. Safety wise I think this would be the way to go.

Yes, you would have to have a metal fabricator fab up some mounts for the seat, but it could be done.

http://www.newseatcover.com/newusedseats.html

Cheers
Tony

streamquest · 12-11-2016, 09:08 PM

Used truck seats might be the only option, with a well thought out and seriously fabricated mounting system. No one wants to be launched through the windshield while firmly belted into their seat!!

I looked into aftermarket and used RV seats with integrated 3 point belts. Vendors will not sell them to you without serious documentation that proves that the seat will be going into a vehicle that was factory engineered to use it. Good old C.Y.A. at work. The fear of legal liability runs the world these days.

Countryboy59 · 12-12-2016, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, this may or may not help, but I spent years trying to figure out how to install shoulder harness belts in my 1959 Ford Galaxie. The floor mounts were easy; Just holes in the floor with huge washers under the floor. the hard part was figuring out how to mount the "D" ring. I finally decided to drill a hole all the way through my "B" pillar post and I used a lug nut stud going all the way though the pillar post. This was the easiest and strongest way that I could come up with.

Be careful about installing shoulder belts in a vehicle that was not engineered for them, like an older motor home or vintage car.

PeterH-350LE · 12-12-2016, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Be careful about installing shoulder belts in a vehicle that was not engineered for them, like an older motor home or vintage car.

Can you please elaborate on your statement? Thanks !

bkahler · 12-12-2016, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

Be careful about installing shoulder belts in a vehicle that was not engineered for them, like an older motor home or vintage car.

I'd like to hear the reasoning as well.

slowmover · 12-12-2016, 01:32 PM

Reinforced point of attachment.

And the design such that the lower belt stays below the hip bones and the upper doesn't break your neck.

Meaning belt and seat design must work together for three point.

"Submarining" out of the belt in a rollover kills/injures many.

Etc.

More to it than this.

german6563 · 12-13-2016, 11:42 AM

Here in Germany the motorhome comes with these seats, well fixed to the ground and has three safety points

bkahler · 12-13-2016, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowmover

Reinforced point of attachment.

And the design such that the lower belt stays below the hip bones and the upper doesn't break your neck.

Meaning belt and seat design must work together for three point.

"Submarining" out of the belt in a rollover kills/injures many.

Etc.

More to it than this.

The reinforced points of attachment should be standard for the lower attachment point, the difficult but not impossible one for the older Airstream motorhomes is the upper attachment point for the shoulder harness.

Submarining has nothing to do with the shoulder harness which is what the subject was about.

You definitely don't want the shoulder attachment point to be lower than the shoulder blades or you can suffer compression of the spine in an accident.

slowmover · 12-13-2016, 03:24 PM

Submarining is certainly part of it.

And the lack of approved design attaching points (standard factory item for year of manufacture) plus three point and seat designed to work together is what makes liability concerns high.

martin300662 · 12-13-2016, 03:44 PM

Trying to put an element of reality into the discussion, we are talking about adding a safety device to a vehicle that has the structural integrity of a cookie tin, and any collisions that impacts anything other than the chassis is going to be pretty disastrous.

slowmover · 12-13-2016, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martin300662

Trying to put an element of reality into the discussion, we are talking about adding a safety device to a vehicle that has the structural integrity of a cookie tin, and any collisions that impacts anything other than the chassis is going to be pretty disastrous.

I agree. A lap belt with a seat that is of OEM dimensions is as good as it's going to get.

Countryboy59 · 12-13-2016, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

Can you please elaborate on your statement? Thanks !

Attachment points for shoulder belts are engineered into the structure of the vehicle. If the vehicle didn't have them originally installed they may not hold up in an accident. People still do it...if it makes you feel safer, go ahead. I know a guy who put lap belts in his Model T, attached to the frame...

Countryboy59 · 12-13-2016, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, this may or may not help, but I spent years trying to figure out how to install shoulder harness belts in my 1959 Ford Galaxie. The floor mounts were easy; Just holes in the floor with huge washers under the floor. the hard part was figuring out how to mount the "D" ring. I finally decided to drill a hole all the way through my "B" pillar post and I used a lug nut stud going all the way though the pillar post. This was the easiest and strongest way that I could come up with.

I have a '59 Galaxie also, with lap belts in the floor mounted by a previous owner, with the large washers. Unfortunately the seat is only held to the floor by 4 bolts and the steering column is not collapsible. It cured any tendency I might've had to tailgate or run a red light

. Love the car though; mine has the T bird special engine option.

Boom Sounds · 12-15-2016, 04:06 PM

We had coach seats retrofitted by a professional coach builder. You can get seats with integral three point harnesses which are only bolted through the floor. Our coach builder fitted substantial metal plates under each leg attachment to accommodate the loading.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Vycan · 12-16-2016, 06:44 PM

I believe the 3-point is a nice to have, and is on my priority list, albeit at the bottom. Keeping family safe is good, driving defensively, having enough rest, and not driving distracted are better preventative measures than the 3-point harness.

PeterH-350LE · 12-16-2016, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vycan

I believe the 3-point is a nice to have, and is on my priority list, albeit at the bottom. Keeping family safe is good, driving defensively, having enough rest, and not driving distracted are better preventative measures than the 3-point harness.

Agreed, unfortunately we are living in a different time with fast, aggressive and distracted drivers. For me it is more about protecting myself from the idiot coming at me. I almost took the Motorhome instead of the trailer when this happened:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f311...ml#post1883017