RVMAA moves to tighten registration process

Rogue non-members blamed for unroadworthy caravans

Senator plans campaign to reform industry

By Dennis Amor
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AUSTRALIA'S peak body for caravan manufacturers has blamed non-members for sullying the industry.

The Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Association of Australia told Caravanning News: "The area for concern is with non-members who often get their 'vans through the registration process in various states even if their 'vans are non-compliant."

The association was commenting on reports in a South Australian newspaper alleging that potentially lethal and unroadworthy caravans were being manufactured, sold and driven in the state.

It was claimed some builders had little regard to safety standards which can lead to road accidents and even deaths.

Meanwhile, a couple in their 70s say they are stranded at a SA caravan park after their brand new $95,000 caravan was deemed unroadworthy and a death trap by a safety inspector.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon now plans to launch a campaign to reform the industry, saying he is shocked that caravans are able to be registered even though they breach the Australian Design Rules.

"How is it that you need a builder's licence to build a home but no qualifications to build a caravan?" he asked.

RVMAA executive officer Colin Young told Caravanning News that compliance with all safety-related rules and regulations was the biggest single focus of his association.

"We audit our members twice a year and have done almost 500 compliance audits since we began our audits in 2005 and then increased them to twice yearly in 2008," he said.

"We are involved in some very encouraging discussions at political and senior bureaucratic level to tighten up the registration process, although this has to be done state by state.

"We therefore welcome Senator Xenophon’s interest, as we need a voice at national level to support uniform national standards and processes for compliance and registration, and we will be talking with the senator about the issue."

Mr Young added: "The RVMAA remains the only organisation devoted unequivocally to 100 percent compliance by its members and pursuing this through regular audits so we can say with certainty to consumers that the best assurance of compliance is the RVMAA Badge affixed to each of our members’ caravans and RVs.

"That badge confirms that the manufacturer is audited twice a year for compliance with all the rules and regulations applicable to the safety of that caravan or RV."

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