What makes an ambulance an RV? - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

Blythewoodjoe · 09-05-2009, 23:54

So here's the deal. My M886 has had everything removed from the back by some department when they used it for a command post. I have no plans to restore the inside. I also don't really plan to add much to it. This is the official "box van" for my friends and family. However, it only has two seats. I would like to at least be able to transport my wife and child if I chose to. SO....... what are the basic laws regarding RV's? I assume (we all know what the first 3 letters spell) that RV's can transport people that are not belted in. At least all the ones I have been in usually don't have over two seats with belts. The rest are beds and tables part time.

So IF you can legally (this included insurance) transport people in the back of an RV that does not have seat belts, what then constitutes an RV? I really have no idea what I am talking about here so I expect an education. I am not looking for a way to squeeze around the law or my insurance company, I am just looking for ways to comply (I learned all about complying from the IRS this week

) with the powers that be and I do want to be safe. Right now I have a couple of old school bus seats in the back but they are just for rides around the house. I also do plan to make this my go everywhere vehicle from now on out and I plan to add some comforts like, a potty, so I am just trying to find out what I can before I do anything. I know some of you guys have converted some larger vehicle to comfortable living quarters so please set me strait.

Thanks,
Joe

papabear · 09-06-2009, 01:21

OK...I'm no expert...trust me. But the first test I would run is..can you register it as an RV in SC? I see no reason why ya couldn't.

Past that...I would only worry about the safety of the family / passengers and whatever level of comfort I wanted to afford them.

At a minimum...I think i would want some sort of seating arrangement with seat belts (especially for children) because sudden stops etc in an MV can be er...hazzardous as everything is hard metal with little to no padding!

papercu · 09-06-2009, 01:47

For South Carolina it seem the number of person you can carry is the reasons for seat belts. Please comfirm any information at the DMV.
Vehicles exempt from seat belts: School, church, and daycare buses, public transit, vehicles for > 10 passengers and parade vehicles.
Different states, different laws. Georgia has a good one, if you are going in reverse, seatbelts are not required. Wayne

papabear · 09-06-2009, 01:54

Thanks Wayne...I think I will recommend we drive backwards from now on in our parades!!!

There are some silly laws out there aren't there...LOL

There is another good ole GA Law still on the books I'm told....No more than two people shall drink from the same bottle on any public street without a permit to gather.
(I was actually told this by an attorney) It was never recinded etc.

papercu · 09-06-2009, 02:25

You got that right.
In Columbus "It is illegal to carry a chicken by it's feet, down Broadway on Sunday.
And you have to wonder how they knew to pass this law in Roswell.
"The flooring of adult bookstores and video stores must be nonabsorbent and smooth textured." Wayne
http://savannahnow.com/node/106240

papabear · 09-06-2009, 02:49

Holy smokes Wayne...gonna pass up the research on that last one!!

Back to the RV thing...Blythewoodjoe...I read a post on a thread here today where a feller was getting a ration of chit about a school bus he had in a residential area...said it was a commercial vehicle....so he pulled out the seats and took it down for inspection as a "recreational vehicle in progress" and was left alone as that was noncommercial.

In your case I would just say register the MV as an RV and problem solved...bet no one ever bothers to even check, but if they do...you're still legal IMO.

Ruppster · 09-06-2009, 03:37

The best bet is to call DMV and ask what is needed in a vehicle to have it reclassed as an RV. I'm in the process of having a 1974 semi truck reclassed as an RV up here in Alaska. When I called the local DMV I was told it would have to have at least 4 of the following items:

1.) Toilet
2.) Running water/sink
3.) Either heat or A/C that is separate from the engine
4.) 120 volt AC power outlet
5.) Cooking Facilities

I found an old style sleeper that is about 2 feet deeper then the one on the truck now and it's the walk in type. This will give me room for a sink in one corner (below it will be 2 military style 5 gallon water cans, one for fresh water and the other for the waste water) and in the other corner will be a shelf with a 12 volt RV microwave). Under the bed I plan on mounting a power inverter and 2 Optima RV batteries (no acid vapors to worry about).

So you can get a vehicle reclassed, you just need to check with your state to see what it considers to be an RV.

Ruppster
www.dodge-semis.com

tamangel · 09-06-2009, 04:04

check this link, last page: they had to go to the dictionary?

http://www.sctax.org/NR/rdonlyres/26...00/0/RR089.pdf

here's the whole enchilada..have fun..

Title 56, S.C. Code of laws - www.scstatehouse.net - LPITS

many word describe what you have per various vehicle codes:

RV, Recreational vehicle, Camper, House Car, Motor home, van camper conversion, etc..

a quick search didn't yield too much info..

a cite from the CA VC just for info:
"Van Camper and Conversion—van camper is equipped with most of the amenities found in motor homes, but bed size and space to maneuver are limited. Vehicles usually have a raised roof for additional headroom. A van conversion normally has a bed, dinette, sink, and a small water supply but is not as fully equipped for camping as a van camper."

your vehicle may come under other codes (health and safety, housing, etc..) re: some required equipment..

maybe a local RV store/dealer can provide sources..

like to see some pic's after/during conversion..

Mike

Bill W · 09-06-2009, 09:25

Before I changed it to a cargo body
I got my water purification body registered as a RV in Florida, According to Fla regulation my truck had to be wired for 120v "OR" have water supply ( plumbing) it did not specify if it had to be single or three phase so I was all set. It was that simple....for Florida.

Bob H · 09-06-2009, 10:06

Well Michigan is easy, to be a motor home it has to have a bed & an attached stove, (currently my stove is out for repairs

).