The recliner in my 1998 U270 is not bolted to the floor and has no seat belt. If I want a recliner that is bolted to the coach and has a seat belt do I need to buy a new one or can the old one be secured to the coach and a seat belt added?
Retrofittig a seatbelt is pretty much a DIYS operation and I would assume not too much of a hassle, however I am NO mechanic. Getting it professionally done is prohibitively expensive because of the liability issues. I know, I tried it once in an auto.(way back when seatbelts were an option, anybody remember that far back).
As far as securing a recliner, my first two Foretravels had a bungee affair affixed to the chair with a cleat on the floor or securing the recliner when underway. (or was it visa-versa?) FOT may still stock these.
Yep, that is how my recliner is "secured" forward facing to stop the swivel with a rubber "bungee" catch. Other wise it is bolted to the floor and swivels. But no seat belts. The only seat belts I have in rear are with the couch.
You want seatbelts, you probably are going to have to do it yourself. Today, you can not even replace the captains drivers seats without finding the exact certified seats/seats belts. I'd check with some of the RV surplus houses and find a used one already set up with holes for seat belts.
In our search for replacement cock pit seats I spoke to a manufacturer who told me that they could not put a different brand of belted seat into our coach without first having to pay for a NHTSA test that costs about $25,000. I pass this along for what it is worth, but I don't think you will find too many companies that want the liability of putting a belted recliner into your coach.
Go to a junk yard and pick up a set used seat belts. We did that and they work quite well for us.
Only you can install them.
If you want your chair bolted to the floor, be sure that is what you want and drill holes through floor where fasteners can be accessed from bay ceiling.
Maybe you can choose a removable fastener that will allow you to temporarily unfasten chair if desired.