CARAVAN CROOKS STRIKE ON GOLD COAST

CARAVAN crooks have struck on Queensland's Gold Coast. This time their target was a 19ft 6in dual-axle Leader. It was stolen between 10pm and 6am this morning (Sunday). Reports say the caravan, bearing Queensland rego number 156 ULR, was last seen just before 10am near Nerang. It was being towed by a dark grey coloured dual cab on McLaren Road. Have your say

'May result in injury or death'

Recall after fears Nissan towbars could be defective

NISSAN R52 Pathfinder towbars fitted between 2017 and 2020 could be defective, it was announced today. An ACCC Product Safety notice warns that there may be weld separation on the right hand side of the towbar attachment bracket. "As a result, the towbar cross member and bracket could separate and the towbar could detach from the vehicle," it said. "If the towbar detaches while towing, this will cause a loss of control of the trailer and increase the risk of an accident that may result in injury or death of vehicle occupants and/or other road users." Replacement parts will be available in the middle of next month and owners will be advised to contact their Nissan dealer. For further information, consumers can contact the Nissan Customer Service Centre on 1800 035 035. Have your say

  'Increase in complaints'

Council moves to ban illegal campers
after claims of nudity and fornication

NSW's Ballina Shire Council's Local Traffic Committee will today discuss ways of putting an end to illegal camping at Pat Morton Lookout on Lennox Head's Coastal Road. One method would be reducing the size of vehicles allowed to park to 6m and in a 90-degree front-of-vehicle-to-kerb position. A report to be considered by councillors claims there has been an increase in complaints of illegal campers "asleep, fornicating and lying naked in their vehicles". The campers have also copped a caning for leaving their property on the walking track, thus creating a hazard.

'The news nobody wanted to hear'

Appeal for funds to help cancer dad take kids on memory-making RV trip

By Dennis Amor

A GOFUNDME appeal to help a Queensland terminal cancer sufferer take his family on a caravanning trip has reached nearly $3000 of its $5000 target. Father of four Richard Duncan, aged 39, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 terminal Colon cancer with metastatic liver cancer. "It was the news that nobody wants to hear," his mother and appeal organiser Suzy Campbell, of Winfield, said. "We have been saving what we can and have the GoFundMe appeal," she told Caravanning News. "We appreciate all the donations we have." She said Richard (or Rj as he is affectionately known) was fighting to spend as much time as possible with his four children ... Anton (12), Destanee (11), Tyrel (9) and Zander (5) and wife Denise. "Rj wants to take his family on a trip in an RV so he can make some wonderful memories for his children and himself while he still has time," Suzy ‒ who also organises Trivia Nights to raise funds ‒ said. For more information, go to the GoFundMe site here. Have your say

  More than 700 RVs affected

Recall after fears water tanks could fall off and cause fatal accident

MORE than 700 motorhomes have been recalled after fears water tanks could fall off and cause a fatal accident. An ACCC notice said underbody water tank mounting rods on 711 vehicles could crack, causing tanks to dislodge and fall off. "It may increase the risk of an accident causing injury or death to road users," it warned. Affected models are Talvor's Euro Deluxe (Iveco Daily), Euro Star (Iveco Daily) and Hayman Slide-Out, Winnebago's Airlie, Burleigh, Coogee, Iluka, Jervis, Kirra and Whitehaven, and Windsor's Simpson and Flinders. All were manufactured between February 2012 and December 2020. Dealers who sold the vehicles include Apollo QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, TAS; Paddo's RV Centre; Sydney RV Centre; Kratzmanns Caravans; George Day Caravans; Albury Wodonga RV World; Camperagent RV Centre; All Boats & Caravans; Australian Motorhomes and Jefferson RV World. For more information, owners can contact AMH Products on 1800 497 017 or email info@amhproducts.com.au Have your say

Incident could have been much worse'

Alleged sleeping driver whose 4WD hit caravan prompts police warning on rests

POLICE have reminded drivers to take regular rest breaks after an alleged sleeping traveller caused an accident in which a caravan flipped on a Queensland highway. The driver's LandCruiser clipped the RV which was travelling in the opposite direction on Queensland's Fitzroy Developmental Road. "This incident could have been much worse with this potentially being a head-on collision," Senior Constable Andrew Perrett said. "We all want to get to our destinations as quickly and safely as we can, however it is important to stop, breathe, realign ourselves on long drives and remember those things that are truly important." Have your say

 'Wish all campers thought like this'

Big pat on the back for caravanning mums after message hits social media

MORE than a thousand people have given caravanning mums a pat on the back. It comes after an unsigned Easter message was taped to a wall of the amenities block at a Victorian caravan park admiring the "strength, patience and pure determination" of some mothers. A copy of the anonymous author's 62-word letter was posted on Facebook's Mum Central and swiftly attracted more than 1200 reactions and was shared 118 times. "I wish all campers thought like this," wrote Fran Brown. "Taking children camping is sometimes difficult." And Catriona Burden commented: "I think we would have appreciated this note that time we camped at Shoal Bay." Have your say

Additional 500 camping spots

Bumper bookings at iconic national parks and forests

QUEENSLAND'S iconic national parks and forests were at 70.9 percent capacity for the Easter long weekend. An additional 500 camping spots were made available at Inskip Point in the Cooloola Recreation Area just in time for the Easter long weekend. Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Meaghan Scanlon said many more popular camping areas like Teewah Beach and Bribie Island were booked out for Easter. "But there are still many other national parks and forests with camping sites still available," she said.

Uneven distribution could bring disaster

Plea from police to load your caravan with safety in mind

POLICE in South Australia have urged caravanners to load their vehicles with safety in mind. In a Facebook posting they say that when preparing for their trip travellers should make sure to pack their caravan properly. "If the weight is distributed unevenly it can reduce your ability to steer and brake properly, which can lead to serious or fatal road crashes," they said. "All caravans are different and need to be packed accordingly, but for a basic rule of thumb watch the video," they added. To view, click here.   Have your say

'They have reached end of working life'

Larger sites and dog-friendly areas planned for Fraser parks

LARGER sites and dog-friendly spaces are among the key features of a $17m plan to redevelop the four beachfront caravan parks operated by Queensland's Fraser Coast Regional Council. At its March meeting, it adopted master plans for the Burrum Heads and Scarness Beachfront Tourist parks. "The infrastructure and services in the parks were designed for a different era and have reached the end of their working life,” Cr Jade Wellings said. "The master plans were developed in consultation with holidaymakers so we could understand their needs and aspirations."

Elderly campers rescued by boat

Bravery award for cops who saved couple from floods

TWO police officers who rescued marooned caravanners from a flooded campground have received bravery awards. Sergeant Brad Smith and Senior Constable Trent Moffat were said to have worked tirelessly to save the elderly campers when the Stroud showground in NSW was inundated after torrential rains in April, 2015. Torrents of water and wind gusts of over 100kph had swept the helpless travellers from their caravan. They managed to cling onto a brick amenities block near the showground’s grandstand. Meanwhile, the officers used a small boat to bravely battle the dreadful conditions and pluck the terrified couple to safety. Sergeant Smith and Senior Constable Moffat of the NSW Police Force were awarded Australian Bravery Decorations by the Governor-General. Have your say

'Not-to-be-missed event'

Vic's COVID-safe supershow returns with gvt's approval

VICTORIA'S premier and largest industry caravan and camping exhibtion is back ... with the State Government's approval. And the organisers the supershow ‒ Caravan Industry Victoria ‒ described it has being a 'not-to-be-missed' event which would offer a one-stop-shop for all caravanning and camping needs. Chief executive Rob Lucas has given an assurance that the show will be conducted in line with COVID-safe requirements. "Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow will have some changes to ensure that all consumers are kept safe," he said.

Bid to reduce number of accidents

Cops invite 'vanners to have their rigs checked for safety

CARAVANNERS have been invited to have their rigs checked for safety. The Cairns Road Policing unit will be conducting public caravan weighing over the next few few weeks in a bid to reduce the number of accidents involving recreational vehicles. "This is an opportunity for travellers and locals to weigh their caravan and discuss safe towing with officers from the Road Policing Unit," a spokesperson said. "This educational initiative is aimed at reducing road trauma in far north Queensland. For a full list of venues and timings click here. Have your say

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