Last updated on December 18th, 2023 at 09:45 am
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Traveling with the whole family can make for a vacation of a lifetime. Bringing along the kids on a camping adventure can be a wonderful experience, but what do you do when your kids still need car seats?
Many RVs have enough space for a family of five, but does this include adequate and safe seats for your infants and toddlers? You may be feeling nervous about renting or purchasing an RV with your youngest family members in mind.
Thankfully, there are Class C RVs with car seats and young passengers as priorities- we’ve compiled a list of some of the best options on the market today. We’ve created a video of our favorites or you can keep reading:
What To Look For In A Class C RV For Car Seats?
If you’re searching for a Class C RV for car seats, there might not be a clear picture painted for you of where to even begin. However, that’s why I’m here to tell you some of the main things worth considering before making a final purchase. Let’s get started!
Seat Style
There are many rules for car seat safety for children in moving vehicles. The type of RV you purchase should be in line with these safety rules. While you may not know what to consider right away, your car seat style should influence the types of seats you look for in an RV. Having the ability to securely latch your child in their car seat can be more difficult than you think in a Class C RV.
While the front two seats are always well-equipped for two adults, the chairs may not be a great choice as they are technically the “front” seats of the moving vehicle. So, finding an RV with proper backseat options for your car seat or booster seat is easier said than done. You may be dissatisfied with many RV bench seating options or may find yourself struggling to find proper safety belts throughout.
You can always have your child in the passenger seat in the main, upfront cab. These seats often have the most safety features involved and can be swiveled or moved and locked into whatever position you need. However, make sure the Class C rig you’re considering has the ability to hold a rear-facing car seat (should your child be at that age), or even a booster seat if that’s the safest seat in the RV.
Seatbelt Style
Speaking of various seat styles onboard a Class C rig, you should keep an eye out for various seatbelt styles onboard an RV as well. Some may just be lap belts; others may be incapable of adjusting for your child’s car seat.
If an RV features bench seating while the rig is in motion, you may feel like there’s no secure option for your infant. On the other hand, some RVs may offer a solid and stable individual seat for your car seat or booster (or even your dog crate).
No matter what, there’s no doubt in my mind there’s an RV out there for car seats and infants. After all, many families RV with the entire family involved, not just their bigger children! Finding an option that works for you may take time, but it’s possible.
How Many Seats Available
Not only should you consider what seat works for your booster seat or car seat, but you also need to ensure there are enough seats for everyone else. Generally, two seats are present in Class Cs; two captain chairs in the cab. But what other options are there?
There are always more seats in a Class C (but more seats than in any Class B RV), but you should ensure there are seatbelts available for these seats and for every non-infant person onboard your RV. Class C RVs are not the biggest rigs available on the market, so you may find some seats lacking. Plus, some may only be positioned in slide-outs, potentially leading to questions about the overall safety and stability of the seats.
However, most states don’t require everyone to have a seatbelt in a Class C RV, making the idea of “seats” up for debate. But on the other hand, RVers traveling with many small children may want each of them to have a proper seat and seatbelt. This is important to keep in mind.
Other Safety Features
If you’re concerned for your child’s safety while your RV is in motion, you may be wondering what other safety features are possible in a Class C RV. Whether you plan on boondocking and going off-road, or simply want to take it easy, there are some things to keep in mind.
Are you looking for an RV with a backup cam or a security system? Maybe you are hoping to have locking cabinets to keep your kids out of certain areas. Some of these things can be installed after you have purchased your RV, while others can be added by the RV manufacturer.
A huge safety feature to consider before making your final purchase is whether or not you can turn off the passenger seat airbag. If you plan on installing your infant’s car seat in the front cab passenger seat, having an airbag on is a huge no-no.
However, some Class Cs will have the option to adjust the airbags as needed, especially the passenger side one. Thinking ahead and considering what’s safe for the whole family takes more time than you may have thought!
Layout And Room For Everyone
While a Class C may not be the largest RV on the market today, choosing a roomy and spacious option is easier than you may expect. Finding an RV with room for the whole family is possible- it may just take some time.
Class C RVs have many versatile layouts and floor plans, and some RV manufacturers pride themselves on their countless design choices. Finding an RV with a spacious master suite or perhaps even a luxurious bathroom is possible.
Always remember the above cab bunk area is designed for sleeping- this should help when you’re considering how many beds are likely to be needed. These cab bunks are perfect for a child or teen, and many have privacy screens so they can have their own little sleeping area.
Some Class Cs will even have bunk beds, or master bedrooms with the ability to close the door. This can be useful if you plan on traveling with an infant or toddler- keeping the door closed while you sleep may help your other guests from being disturbed should your baby cry.
Good Brands Of Class C RVs For Car Seats
If you’re shopping for an RV for the first time, especially a Class C RV for car seats, you may be curious about what some good brands may be. While shopping, remember to think about whether you’re looking for a gas or diesel RV- this will greatly affect your decision and brand choice.
Let’s take a look at some of my top picks (all of which have families and safety in mind)!
Jayco
Jayco has been talked about among RVers for some time, especially RVers bringing the entire family along. This brand seems to often focus on durability, advertising specialist sturdy RV frames. They use a lot of custom woodworking, and make Class C RVs to last a lifetime!
Coachmen
Coachmen is another classic RV brand with a focus on family-friendly layouts. They use their space wisely more often than not and are a well-known brand. Their overall interior design may be simple, but it’s durable enough for kiddos of any age.
Winnebago
You’ve heard of Winnebago by now, right? Known for their affordability and overall customer service, Winnebago keeps wowing RVers with their innovations, usually for a good price. They know the importance of bringing the whole family along for the ride, including infants!
Forest River
Forest River is well regarded in the RV world and has been for decades. They make a great variety of rigs, from fifth wheels to Class C’s, so definitely keep them on your shortlist! They have many layouts, and countless RV brands under their iconic brand.
Thor
You may not have heard of Thor brand motorhomes yet, but they are getting popular! Known for being budget-friendly like Winnebago, Thor is proving to be another reliable brand in the RV world. They make many family-friendly rigs, including those with car seats in mind.
7 Best Class C RVs For Car Seats
Now you know some of the nitty-gritty when it comes to shopping for a Class C perfect for your family, it’s time to take a look at some of the best Class C RVs for car seats on the market today.
Keep in mind some of these rigs may need to be toured in order to ensure you have the proper safety features for your child’s car seat. I highly recommend contacting the RV’s manufacturer or taking the time to do a 360-degree online video tour of the rig, if possible.
Best Overall: Coachmen Freelander
The Coachmen Freelander is a very popular RV for families, including those with car seat needs. With seven floorplans to choose from, I like having a wide range of choices and exploring multiple layout options to see what suits me best. The Freelander mantra is to provide more factory-installed features than anyone else, unparalleled value, and reliable design and quality at an affordable price. This Class C RV has won me over with its blend of beauty, function, and value matched with impressive quality too.
In terms of the interior, this rig has U-shape and J-lounge dinettes which offer roomier seating and larger converted bed areas. Each of the floorplans offers true residential-size queen or king beds in the master suite, which means my partner and I don’t have to sacrifice comfort when we take to the road with friends! I like to think of myself as a bit of an RV chef – it’s hard to get out of the kitchen when I’m in the mood to cook up a storm! Therefore, I love the floorplans with a large residential-sized fridge and pantry as I can make goodies and store them away effortlessly.
There are even more perks to this rig, including larger fresh water tank capacities of around 50 gallons, optional tank heaters, and LED strip lighting both inside and outside along the awning. This brings such warmth to the outside of the rig and helps with the overall camper aesthetic. The multiple large access storage compartments are super handy too, as it means an average of 70 square feet of storage is gained, across many floorplans!
While the interior design doesn’t particularly catch my eye, having a reliable and well-built rig is more important for me, as it means the bones of the rig are strong and durable. As for car seat opportunities in this Class C RV, it really depends on the floorplan, but the Freelander 31MB has a standard single child tether at the dinette which can help solve the problem for some!
Most Spacious: Thor Four Winds
The Thor Four Winds is a special Class C RV, with an astonishing twelve floor plans to choose from. This is a budget-friendly Class C, capable of fitting a family of five and then some- these are just some of the reasons why the Four Winds model takes the cake! I see this rig everywhere, and it’s not hard to see why.
Twelve different floor plans mean any RVer can find an ideal layout. The overall length of the Four Winds ranges from 24′ 1″ to 32′ 4″, making this rig great for new RVers wanting smaller rigs and pros able to handle over 30 feet over RV! I find this Class C easy to drive and effortless to love, with impressive living amenities, and some floorplans even including washer and dryer prep!
This is a game-changer for full-timers and since there are bunk beds and various seating options available, it’s not hard for the whole family to get comfortable. The 31WV is the biggest floorplan of the Four Winds, and with a seat belt capacity of seven and a general range of seating opportunities, it can handle a big family or travel group.
Every model has residential easy-to-clean vinyl flooring, great for traveling with small kids and pets. I love that Thor Motorcoach has even thought about rainy days in this RV, as there’s an entertainment system to provide smiles when the skies are gray outside. Every Four Winds model has a cab-over bunk sleeping area, and some floor plans come with bunk beds, so it’s easy for the whole family to take an afternoon nap if need be!
Four Winds living arrangements vary from jack-knife sofas to Murphy bed sofa conversions and theater seating. Each layout has a TV and a wireless phone charger with a USB plug at the dinette tabletop which I think is super convenient as it means I can work and stay connected from the table. The whole family can gather around the Dream Dinette, laugh and tell stories about the best part of the day’s adventure, and convert the dinette into a bed when everyone’s ready to hit the hay!
All in all, Thor has taken what families want and need out of an RV and boiled it down into an affordable and durable rig for years to come. There are safety features you need for a car seat and enough space for everyone to boot!
Most Safety Features: Jayco Melbourne
I think it’s near impossible to go wrong with the purchase of a sturdy and reliable Jayco RV, which is why the Jayco Melbourne remains popular year after year. While it’s on the more compact side for Class C RVs, this rig is still great for small families or travel groups alike. Having a reliable diesel engine isn’t where the perks stop. From two twin beds to walk-around master suites, this compact Jayco will have a floor plan to suit a wide range of RVers.
There are dinettes and different bathroom options, including ones with a separate shower and toilet which I find is a huge bonus when multiple individuals come along for RV adventures! The interior is also nothing to scoff at; stylish and elegant, it’s an RV that makes it easy to forget I’m camping. Jayco installs stress-tested seatbelts in every designated seating location which I love, as it shows safety is a high priority for the company, and they understand the needs for child safety too.
Jayco has designed their overhead bunks to hold 750 lbs which is 250 lbs more than any other RV. In a Jayco overhead bunk, two adults can comfortably rest and relax, or I can jump up and read my niece a book before she goes to sleep knowing I won’t come flying through onto the floor!
Jayco is a fantastic brand for many reasons: warranty, resale, and advanced handling technologies. JRide, which offers a powerful blend of precise handling and renowned stability, is Jayco’s special chassis addition not found on any other Class C. These important additions make me feel confident that every RV trip will be comfortable, without the need for expensive aftermarket upgrades.
Jayco’s warranty is the best in the RV business. The two-year limited warranty is twice as long as the industry standard, keeping me covered for two full camping seasons. Jayco recognizes the importance of having a rig that remains in your family as children grow.
Best For The Adventurous Family: Winnebago Ekko
The Winnebago Ekko is far more than meets the eye and is a Class B/Class C hybrid, for lack of a better term. They’ve reinvented the RV wheel yet again, and this Class C can take me anywhere- even including a car seat! Combining the efficiency of a camper van and the capacity of a Class C coach, the Ekko is bursting with features from the massive heated pass-through garage to the large living, sleeping, and cooking space, the Ekko is sure to become a favorite family adventure vehicle.
The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 delivers 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, while the 31-gallon fuel tank greatly extends the Ekko’s range, so I can chow down plenty of miles between destinations. Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping system, pre-collision braking, driver alert, and more, plus the Winnebago-added blind spot monitoring system which is great for heightened road safety.
I love that this EKKO lets me camp pretty much anywhere, with three solar panels bringing 455 watts to the table, along with a second alternator for charging batteries while I’m driving, I know power isn’t an issue anymore! The standard lithium-ion batteries provide further energy independence and the reliability I need when I’m camping off the grid.
The 50-gallon freshwater tank plus proportionate waste tanks make extended stays possible, and mean I don’t need to stress too much about heading to the campground to dump waste – it’ll take days to fill up! A full galley equipped with energy-efficient appliances and a dry/wet bath with a pivoting wall separating the shower area, makes families feel right at home anywhere.
And thanks to the dinette seating with three-point seat belts and child seat tether anchors, finding a safe place to sit while the rig is in motion is easy. There’s even added sleeping capacity and penthouse views with the optional pop-top which I think I’d go for to increase space just a little bit more.
Most Homely: Tiffin Wayfarer
While Tiffin may not have made our top brands list for Class C RVs, they have one fantastic Class C: the Tiffin Wayfarer. This stylish and well-built rig is perfect for an adventurous couple with an infant, especially if those hoping to travel with all the comforts of home.
Designed inside and out with every need in mind, this diesel Class C features a spacious interior, industry-standard safety features, and high-performance handling with its Mercedes-Benz chassis. I’ve owned quite a few Mercedes in the past and time after time they prove themselves to be a trustworthy and reliable brand.
RVing for me is all about spending as much time connecting with nature as I can, and that’s what the Wayfarer is all about. It’s been ingeniously engineered with ample storage to bring gear along for any journey. There are four stylish floor plans found on this 25-foot rig, from twin beds to Murphy beds. Similarly, there are four elegant interior design options to choose from too, giving the interior a sleek, fresh, and personal touch. You can take a look at one of the floorplans in the detailed tour video below:
I always worry about moisture in my rig and try to keep mold and mildew at bay as much as possible, but luckily I don’t have to worry too much about issues like these with the Tiffin, as the interior is safe behind Tiffin’s one-piece, moisture resistant molded fiberglass roof cap.
Not only is this rig safe for the whole family- it’s luxurious too. It has an instant hot water heater, two large house batteries, ducted heat and cooling, heated holding tanks, and a shower with a skylight. Handcrafted cabinetry is an upgrade which is a little frustrating as many other rigs have this as standard! But I think it’s worth a little extra cash for those who will be spending considerable time inside the Tiffin as it ignites the homeliness and warmth of this RV.
Tiffin offers the most warranties out of any of these brands for its Wayfarer, including an exclusive owner’s club. The warranties cover the overall rig, paint delamination for three years, two separate chassis warranties, and one year of reliable roadside assistance. The Tiffin is a rig I can feel safe in with my partner and my dog on board too.
Best Class C RV With Latch System: Thor Quantum
The Thor Motorcoach Four Winds has already taken a place in our list of best Class C RVs for traveling with car seats, but there’s another Thor that’s also a fantastic option. The Thor Quantum is a bit of an initial investment, but with lengths starting at just 24′ 1″, it’s a great all-rounder, with seat belt capacity of either 6 or 7 depending on the floorplan, and a tether or latch system for a child seat too.
Impressively, there are nine floorplan options with the Thor Quantum, each one being spacious and airy with the WS31 being the largest and most expensive layout. It’s a mighty 32′ 4″ in length, 11′ 2″ in height, and has a GVWR of 14,500 lbs, making it a beast to drive on the open road! These figures may be a bit too intimidating at first, but I always say practice makes perfect, and after a few trips of driving a new vehicle, my confidence usually skyrockets!
I like my RV to be ready to handle year-round climates and a range of terrains as I want the freedom of camping wherever my wheels can take me! The premium one-piece cross-flex exterior roofing provides extra support and protection, and the deadbolt lock on the entry door enhances the overall security of the Quantum.
There are a few additional features that really stand out to me with the Quantum such as the power awning with LED lighting, slide-out room topper awning, roof ladder, and exterior grab handle, as together they all transform this RV into a convenient, robust, vehicle, ideal for full-time living or short vacations. The kitchen also catches my eye as it has all the essentials as well as a 2V ceiling vent in the kitchen to prevent cooking smells in the RV every day, and a pantry cabinet perfect to stock all of my baking equipment and ingredients!
Along with a single child latch in the dinette, there are also multiple passenger seatbelts throughout this rig. This allows families to be safe when moving from location to location, and I can rest easy upfront with cruise control on, knowing everyone on board is safe and secure.
Safest RV For Car Seat: Entegra Coach Odyssey
With such a variety of RVs available today, it can be hard to sort through them all and find the best option for the whole family. The Entegra Coach Odyssey is an epic Class C RV, with enhanced safety, and kid-friendly floorplan options, all on a reliable Ford E-450 chassis boosted by a 7.3L V8, 325 horsepower engine with 450 ft-lb of torque.
With a fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide, and smoke alarms, along with 2-point seatbelts in all designated seating areas in the RV, Entegra don’t mess around with safety! This is a classy-looking rig, with a modern interior fit for the entire family to have some fun. There are seven floorplan options with the rig, and each one features an awning, exterior TV, functional bathroom area, well-equipped kitchen, and plenty of empty floor space so everyone can move around freely without bumping into each other!
There are several features with the Entegra that really get my attention, but some are only available as optional extras, meaning the overall cost is bumped up significantly! However, I do think the automatic hydraulic leveling jacks, 200W solar panel setup, AC, and folding windshield are all worthwhile investments, especially for full-time travel.
I travel through all four seasons, and this means being ready to face scorching heat in summer and soggy, cold days when winter hits. Therefore, it’s essential for me to take winterization seriously, and get my rig in the best shape to tackle colder temperatures. This is made easier with the Entegra as there’s a specific winterization drain system, ideal for making my life far more convenient!
These rigs have a hefty price tag, but for such a luxury coach, it’s hard to disagree with the pricing! Little ones can stay safe and secure, I can sleep happily in a queen or king bed, and there’s a great warranty for peace of mind too. Entegra Coach offers a 2-year limited warranty with a 3-year structural warranty for the roof, walls, and floors, so I feel supported no matter where I am on the road.
Final Thoughts
Finding a Class C RV with infants and toddlers in mind may seem like a daunting task at first. However, with some research and important answers to questions, you’ll no doubt find a Class C RV to work perfectly for you and your family!