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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Oh crap holiday motorhome disaster- what do I do?

168 replies

IHeartKingThistle · 23/08/2017 15:48

I'm such an idiot but I didn't check. We're supposed to be going away on Friday in a hired motorhome. It's all paid for. It's a 4 berth. I assumed this meant 4 seat belts as it has when we've hired motorhomes from other places. But I didn't check. It has 3. And a side seat with no belt.

Is this normal? I understand that new vans have to have belts but older ones aren't under the same laws. But it's not safe, surely? We've been told an adult has to sit in the side seat. So I have to travel unsecured, sideways (which will make me feel awful) and not next to my husband on our family holiday?

There's no way to get the money back at this stage. Campsites and activities are all booked for the week.

I'm actually in tears. Tell me it'll be fine.

OP posts:
Original poster
IHeartKingThistle · 24/08/2017 10:44

Interesting.... they do have a bigger one. Worth thinking about!

OP posts:
IHateUncleJamie · 24/08/2017 10:47

I would, rather than losing all that money! 😳

BeepBeepMOVE · 24/08/2017 10:57

Hire lady hasn't done anything wrong. She's not renting you an illegal van. Its quite common for motorhomes to not have as many belts as berths. I understand why you're upset but I don't think she owes you a refund you should have read everything before booking.

3 forward facing seats with full 3 point seatbelts, and a side seat. is quite clear.

TickedOff · 24/08/2017 11:13

Hope you get sorted, OP, what a nightmare!

You would assume 4 berth = 4 seat belts and the hire company should have made sure their literature clearly stated this wasn't the case.

If they have a bigger motor home hopefully you can hire this.

TickedOff · 24/08/2017 11:14

But as the law in vehicles is seat belts for the amount of passengers you would assume that the side facing seat would have some kind of safety restraint.

Whinesalot · 24/08/2017 11:35

Can you give a bad review?

VeniVidiWeeWee · 24/08/2017 11:35

Tickedoff
What law states this about seats/seatbelts please?

bunningsbunny · 24/08/2017 11:44

I would check this out on the moneysavingexpert website and see if they could look into the issue. I reckon it's the sort of thing that they could do as an interesting piece.

If you had booked a 4 bed hotel roon you would expect to get there and find 4 full size beds in some combination of doubles and singles. If there were 3 and a tiny toddler bed, they wouldn't be able to get away with saying well other families have been very happy and it's yoyr own fault for not checking in the small print for the actual sizes of the beds. And with a motor home it's. Like that but even moreso. Just because they know that the number of berths doesn't equal the number of seatbelts, it's not reasonable to expect everybody to know this. Also there will be a significant group of people hiring motorhomes who are new to it or are trying out a new size of mh and so will definitely not be expected to know much about them so the company should know t

AprilLady4 · 24/08/2017 15:38

Shock Flowers

mando12345 · 24/08/2017 16:19

Hi OP, I'm so pleased you've got your holiday sorted and also that your husband is happy that you have done so.
It would have been no sort of holiday with one driver stuck at the back with no seat belt.
Good luck with trying to move the booking or getting your money back, but please don't worry about it while you're away, just have a wonderful holiday!

IfYouGoDownToTheWoodsToday · 24/08/2017 18:17

I'm so glad you've booked another van. Risking it is just not worth it.

Hope you have s fab holiday!

Lindsxxx · 24/08/2017 18:19

I think that if they didn't make it explicitly clear that there were four safety belt that you surely have some sort of comeback on this, any normal person would expect a motorhome to have as many safety belts as it is able to sleep.
(We had a 25 year old van that was 6 berth and only safely seated 2!! There were 4 rear belts but all were lap belts and two of those sideways facing ones which are completely illegal now as I understand)

Shell4429 · 24/08/2017 18:26

I wouldn't have a problem sitting on a seat with no seatbelt so long as it's legal, which it is. I went on loads of journeys as a kid with no seatbelt. My dad even drove my two brothers and I up to the Lakes in the back of a Bedford van.

tworonnies1957 · 24/08/2017 18:47

cant you buy a seat belt to use some think like a wheelchair lap belt

sharklovers · 24/08/2017 18:48

I think you need to get a grip really and just take it for what it is. I own a car that has precisely zero seat belts. I'm killed every single time I drive it.

Lovingit81 · 24/08/2017 19:30

I totally thought it was illegal to not have a seatbelt. I think anyone who drives without one is a moron so you've made the right decision.

sharklovers · 24/08/2017 20:02

I think anyone who drives without one is a moron

I totally agree, where there is a belt available but that's not always possible!

Cordeliana · 24/08/2017 20:13

I'm glad you've found a resolution OP, even if it's not ideal, but I too am someone who grew up in conditions which would no longer be considered safe, I.e. before seatbelts. There were four of us along the back seat, and once my brother actually fell out of the moving car, with nothing more than cuts and bruises. There were no child seats, baby transport was in a carry cot on the back seat. Im just making the point that what is "safe" is not an absolute, it changes and is relative. Just a query for all those feeling faint at the idea though: I guess none of you use public transport, or let your dcs on the school bus?

adelicious · 24/08/2017 20:41

Have you checked their website to see if they're members of any consumer organisation you could complain to? Or ABTA may be able to give you some advice. I think you may struggle in a small claims court I'm afraid. I'm not sure what they said amounts to an actionable misrepresentation, but you could always threaten it. You'd probably be better off with some sort of ombudsman complaint but I think it depends on their memberships.

SherbrookeFosterer · 24/08/2017 20:46

I wouldn't worry too much.

We all travel on a bus with no seat belt, don't we?

DaveGrohlsMrs · 24/08/2017 21:21

My family went away in a motor home most weekends when my brother and I were young (teenagers). I don't think any but the front seats had seat belts, I don't ever remember wearing one. We went all the way to Switzerland once. I wouldn't worry too much, just make sure that the kids are seated at all times.

IfYouGoDownToTheWoodsToday · 24/08/2017 21:44

There are some very stupid people in this thread Hmm

I'm glad you've come to a sensible and safe solution OP.

Frazzled2207 · 24/08/2017 21:48

Pleased you have sorted something.
I know nothing about motorhomes but it would never have occurred to me that a four bed motorhome would not be safe for four people to travel in!

ProlificLurker · 24/08/2017 21:50

I'm sorry to add another point of concern but we have a motorhome and our table is not safe to be in place during travel. It was found to be extremely dangerous during crash testing and has to be stored in the wardrobe whilst on the move (pain in the arse but safety comes first). This is in the manufacturers manual for ours.

I know not all motorhomes are the same as ours but it is definitely worth asking the hire company if the table is safe to be in place during travel.

Like I say, sorry to add another worry but it is something you might not have thought to ask. Hope you manage to get sorted and have a fabulous holiday.

Sparklyglitter · 24/08/2017 22:07

Oh no! How awful! :0(