There has been several requests for information regarding purchase of caravans and RV's lately on Grey Nomads.   This is a new notice from Caravan Council of Australia which outlines the coming changes to Legislation and how it may affect purchasers.  

Potential buyers of caravans need to be extremely careful to ensure that their proposed caravan is in fact fully-compliant with Australias vehicle safety Regulations, as stated in the national Australian Design Rules.

The Federal governments Vehicle Safety Standards branch has recognised the problems in the caravan industry, and is introducing a new Road Vehicle Standards Act in July this year.  This replaces the Motor Vehicle Standards Act, which has been in force since 1989.

Caravan industry veterans have warned potential buyers to be well aware that there are currently many non-compliant caravans on our roads, and that the new regulations will not guarantee that all future caravans will be fully-compliant.  

The new safety and quality regulations will not apply to all manufacturers and importers. This is of serious concern as some companies - that produce caravans in small numbers - will be exempt from having to meet the requirements of the new laws.  These companies that will not be subject to the same level of government scrutiny of the new laws, are usually new-comers to the market, and often lack the necessary resources and experience that are essential to manufacture safe and high-quality caravans.  They also lack the expected professional after-sales service and repair facilities across the country.    

Industry insiders have long been worried that there are too many new manufacturers and importers competing in a very limited, and highly-competitive, market.  

Vehicle Safety Standards will allow larger caravan companies a lengthy phase-in period to get up to speed with the new requirements, so it may well be that the intended benefits of the new laws will not become apparent for up to one year after their introduction.  

Unfortunately for the many owners of defective non-compliant caravans, there are no retrospective provisions in the new Act, hence they are being forced to continue to pursue rectification action against the Dealers who sold them their vehicles.  Despite the good intentions of the Australian Consumer Law to protect customers who bought unsatisfactory  or even unsafe  products, it is well known that getting the Dealers to honour their responsibilities, is often very difficult. 

With Self-Certification permitted combined with the lack of acceptable Regulatory auditing of businesses, and auditing of vehicles  it is not possible for prospective buyers to have sufficient confidence in the Design / Manufacturing / Compliance / Safety / Quality of all new caravans. 

It is vital that potential-buyers "do their home-work" thoroughly, before deciding on a particular Make and Model - rather than being "persuaded" by a sales-person to buy a better (higher priced) caravan, which may, or may not, live up to the promises made. 

They must decide beforehand, precisely what type of caravan they really need that will suit their intended travel plans, and what they can afford.  

There are free detailed independent Check-Lists available for potential-buyers of caravans, where: 

(a) An Evaluation can be determined of what they need / want / prefer in a new van, and 

(b) A Comparison can be made of what Makes and Models come the closest to matching the required and preferred criteria. 

This will be a major investment, and as such, the purchase must be made on a practical basis... and not on an emotional basis.  

Sales-personnel are professionally trained to sell.  Caravan buyers are not trained to buy, and as a result, they will very often suffer severe buyer remorse, when they realise that what they have purchased is not up to their expectations.  

Sadly, there are currently too many serious Non-compliance, Safety and Quality problems with subsequent complaints and litigation.  

When someone buys a new car or truck, there is no need for them to know all about the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and other regulatory requirements, because Vehicle Safety Standards (VSS) would have approved the Manufacturers Compliance submission and Quality program. 

However, because of the permitted Self-Certification, caravan buyers are not afforded any where near the same degree of assurance.   

Obviously, caravan buyers are certainly not expected to be experts on all applicable Regulatory requirements, hence a very high level of confidence in the Manufacturer and Dealer is required.   

There are freely-available Buyer-Assist Check-Lists that include important Questions that potential-buyers need to ask the Dealer.  It is most prudent to obtain the answers in writing.  

All too often, caravanners who have purchased a new van, some time later conduct a fine-tooth inspection of their new pride-and-joy, and pedantically note every minor blemish.  These annoying imperfections should clearly have been detected during the Pre-Delivery Inspection and advised to the Dealer.  

Webpage; www.caravancouncil.com.au    Email; caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au