Can Passengers Ride Inside a Camper Trailer?

Is it safe or even legal for passengers to ride inside your camper trailer while you’re driving?

What if your spouse wants to feed the kids and put them down for a nap in their beds while you’re on the road?

Today, we’ll talk about the legal and safety considerations for having passengers in your camper.

Let’s dive in!

Define Your RV Type

Every state allows passengers in a motorhome. That’s not an issue. However, the states have various opinions on allowing passengers in towable RVs and even truck campers.

So don’t assume it’s okay for your spouse to ride in your travel trailer if you see something saying it’s okay in fifth wheels. And don’t expect passengers in your truck camper to be legal in California if it’s legal in Arizona.

The Law

Most states prohibit passengers from riding inside any towed camper trailer, whether it’s a travel trailer or a fifth wheel. They also include truck campers in their laws, so be sure to check each state you’re driving through, even if you have one of those.

However, some states allow passengers to ride inside a camper trailer, fifth wheel, or truck camper.

Again, these are different vehicles, so you’ll need to check the laws for your specific RV. For example, Alabama only allows passengers to ride in truck campers. Kansas allows passengers in all three types as long as they’re over 14 years old.

In addition, other states require all the windows to be made of safety glass if passengers are traveling inside.

On the other hand, California and other states permit people of any age to ride in fifth wheels or truck campers only if they can communicate clearly with the driver. Mobile phones can lose cell service, so this would include devices such as two-way radios.

The California DMV also offers a Recreational Vehicles and Trailers Handbook that answers all your RV travel questions for the state.

Pro Tip: Instead of looking up each state’s laws, check out RV Trip Wizard’s list of state road laws. It’s an excellent tool for trip-planning too!

Is It Safe to Ride Inside a Camper Trailer?

Even for those states where riding inside a camper trailer or truck camper is legal, it may not be safe or comfortable to do so.

Have you ever seen a travel trailer with unbolted furniture, like a sofa, after a drive? The couch often ends up on the opposite side of the space! Imagine trying to move around or take a nap during all that shifting and bouncing. And forget trying to cook something or read a book.

It just can’t be comfortable.

In addition, you typically don’t have seatbelts or other safety features inside a camper trailer. What if you’re in an accident?

Do you have that safety glass only a few states require? What happens to your kids if the trailer rolls? Nightmares come to mind when you think about what could happen. So maybe it’s not a good idea whether it’s legal or not.

A truck camper, though, may be safer and more comfortable.

Pets Riding Inside a Camper Trailer

Even in a more comfortable ride such as a truck camper, your pets won’t know what’s happening. There’ll still be lots of sway and bounce, and no amount of sweet talk with prevent the panic attack that’s coming.

And, again, what if there’s an accident?

You might be able to put them in a carrier, but falling items or a serious accident could still hurt them. So it’s a good idea to keep your pets in your tow vehicle.

Riding Inside a Camper Trailer is Okay – Sometimes

Yes, you can legally ride inside your travel trailer, fifth wheel, or truck camper in some states. However, whether or not that ride is smooth and safe is another question.

Maybe shortening your drive time or taking longer breaks on the road would be better choices. Have you ever ridden inside a camper trailer?

How was your experience?

Pro Tip: We recommend following the RV 2/2/2 rule on travel day.

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