my caravan failed it's roadworthy???

valiant81 · Guru

my caravan failed it's roadworthy???

Possum3 · Guru

Basically the fact that manufacturer's self regulate (I.E. cross my heart, spit, and hope to die.) New vehicles do no need to be tested by ANY Authority. Advise Colin Young from the Caravan Council Of Australia, of the make model, and Dealer's name

CARAVAN COUNCIL OF
AUSTRALIA
3 Margaret Street

Parkdale VIC 3195
T: 0409 865 399
F: 03 9587 1828

caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au

See; www.caravancouncil.com.au/compliance for details and Caravan Check list for compliance.

PeterInSa · Guru

Hi V re (The other thing that also failed was the mounting of the safety chains, with mine these chains are welded to the underside of the draw bar and even if there is a small bit of steel square tube to stop the chains from rubbing on the ground.)

Could you clarify this for me. ie Do you mean that when your van is connected to the tug your chains rub on the ground?

Thanks

Peter

valiant81 · Guru

Hi all;

As for the safety chains, they are nor long enough to touch the ground when connected to the tug. the problem is that if the caravan was to disconnect from the tug the caravan 's draw bar could hit the ground. This is the main reason why there has to be some sort of plate welded over weld. It's the main reason why the chains should be welded to the side of the draw bar.

PeterD · Guru

PeterInSa wrote:
Could you clarify this for me. ie Do you mean that when your van is connected to the tug your chains rub on the ground?

From VSB-01

VSB-01safety chains.JPG

valiant81 · Guru

Hi all;

It seems that i may have confused a few members about the safety chains. Were the chains are attached to the draw bar the welded part of the chains may not come in contact with the ground if there is a disconnection of the caravan from the tug while towing. With mine it seems that maybe the small 1" square tubing that is welded to stop this sort of problem, may not be enough.

On the other hand i poured over the adr rules last night and found out that orange lighting is allowed IF side clearance lighting if fitted. Off to see the roadworthy guy again to today and show him what i have found in the adr rule book.

deverall11 · Guru

Find someone on the mainland whose address you can use and register it there until such time that laws are uniform.
Problem solved

hako · Guru

Looks like my Avan Cruiser would fail - both chain attachments are located under the drawbar and would skid on the road if the towball broke.

....probably half the vans on the road as well.

Regards

Treecrest14 · Senior Member

When I went to have my Jayco Expander inspected - the factory hadn't used Rated chains - so my inspection failed!

Also Jayco do not insert the circlip into the van's John Guest water pipe fittings. The blue pipe can come out over a period of time/travel.

Happy Travelling..

rockylizard · Guru

valiant81 wrote:
Hi all;
It seems that i may have confused a few members about the safety chains. Were the chains are attached to the draw bar the welded part of the chains may not come in contact with the ground if there is a disconnection of the caravan from the tug while towing. With mine it seems that maybe the small 1" square tubing that is welded to stop this sort of problem, may not be enough.

Gday...

I was puzzled with the OP from the begining and this explanation/clarification/elaboration has me more confused.

It is the purpose of the CHAINS is to stop the drawbar of the van hitting the ground if there is disconnection from the towball. The point where, and how, the chains are connected/welded to the A-frame should NEVER come in contact with the ground - UNLESS the chains are not of the correct length to 'cradle' the A-frame and keep the A-frame off the ground.

This is how the chains are attached on my van ... either I am missing something in your description of the problem, or the RW bloke has his knickers in a twist. hmm

Van 001.JPG Van 002.JPG

Cheers - John

patrol03 · Senior Member

Quite right RockyL, My paramount is fitted up the same as yours, with plenty of chain to shorten up too.Some manufacturers seem to get away with a lot of second rate design and fittings.

rockylizard · Guru

patrol03 wrote:
Quite right RockyL, My paramount is fitted up the same as yours, with plenty of chain to shorten up too. Some manufacturers seem to get away with a lot of second rate design and fittings.

Gday...

So Ian, is it therefore that chain fixtures such as the one shown in my pics are illegal, unroadworthy etc?

The chains attached to the A-frame and to the tow-hitch with shackles most definitely do not touch the ground and are of sufficient length to ensure they will cradle the A-frame in the event of broken/lost towball. cry

Surely it would be rare and unusual for the A-frame to sit on the ground should the jockey wheel not be there - therefore allowing the A-frame to "hit the ground" and cause damage, wear or destruction of the weld/fixture the holds the chain to the A-frame?

Cheers - John

-- Edited by rockylizard on Wednesday 22nd of November 2017 02:37:36 PM

Treecrest14 · Senior Member

It is my understanding that the chain either welded or attached to the drawbar must be positioned so that if the van detaches from the car then the welded chain link will not be damaged because the draw bar has hit the ground/bitumen. ie it is not a requirement that the chain be short enough to stop the draw bar hitting the ground!

mr glassies · Guru

. how many road worthies ar false because the inspector dosnt know .

dibs

-- Edited by mr glassies on Thursday 23rd of November 2017 06:52:15 PM

-- Edited by mr glassies on Thursday 23rd of November 2017 06:56:01 PM

rockylizard · Guru

Treecrest14 wrote:
It is my understanding that the chain either welded or attached to the drawbar must be positioned so that if the van detaches from the car then the welded chain link will not be damaged because the draw bar has hit the ground/bitumen. ie it is not a requirement that the chain be short enough to stop the draw bar hitting the ground!

Gday...

I must be missing something in all this. confuse

You say your interpretation is, "ie it is not a requirement that the chain be short enough to stop the draw bar hitting the ground". That flies in the face of 'industry advice' for some considerable decades. The only reason for the chains is so that the A-frame (and therefore the "welded chain link" on the A-frame) does NOT hit the ground/bitumen and that the caravan is 'controlled' should the towball break or come loose and leave the towbar.

Does this help explain the 'rules' -

http://www.towingguide.com/towing-parts/

- from that website -

Chains 01.JPG

VSB1 -

https://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb1/vsb_01_b.aspx

- from that website -

Chains 02.JPG

I can only assume (dangerous of me) that the 'caution' above is meant to indicate that, IF THE TRAILER/CARAVAN becomes detached from the tow vehicle the safety chains are to ensure the chain attachments, and drawbar inclusive of welded chain links, do not to come in contact with the road surface.

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 62/00 ?Mechanical Connections Between Vehicles) 2006 states -

Chains 03.JPG

Like so many things with the caravan industry ... self-regulation is a complete, perhaps dangerous, mess and is placing, has placed, the owners of probably most caravans liable to being in charge/control of a faulty, non-compliant vehicle.

Cheers - now I got a headache ... I'm going to bed hmm - John

swamp · Senior Member

Hi
The reflector issue sound like how many LEDS tail lights are directional and should only be mounted as instructed for ADR COMPLIANCE .
Poorly mounted light is hard to see from the adjacent lane .

Many many domestic trailers/vans and Heavy vehicles pass road worthy`s like this .

Try a led at night vertically then horizontal ,there should be a difference . Max spread is the goal eg to warn the drivers in the lane next to u .

valiant81 · Guru

Hi all;

Many thanks to one and all for the responce to my problem with my caravan not passing it's roadworthy, after E-mailing the manufacture about the problems that i was having. i was armed with all of the correct adr rules and also the manufactures input was prepared to take the failure to the next level. Any way this time and with out any further work the caravan pass and with now the roadworthy paperwork was able to proceed to change over the reg to Tasmanian reg. So thank you one and all.

Now next year i will have to go and change over our other two cars to tas reg. Lets hope there there are no other problems.

goldcoaster · Senior Member

Treecrest14 wrote:
When I went to have my Jayco Expander inspected - the factory hadn't used Rated chains - so my inspection failed!

Also Jayco do not insert the circlip into the van's John Guest water pipe fittings. The blue pipe can come out over a period of time/travel.

Happy Travelling..

When I bought some John Guest fittings recently from a shop who specialises in Hose Supplies , I asked where's the circlip , I was told the new fittings don't need them. True or False who know's , haven't failed yet but I do keep spares.