Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 16

Thread: Media release, Caravan council of Australia.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    brighton, brisbane
    Posts
    33,853
    Total Downloaded
    0

    Media release, Caravan council of Australia.

    From Westprint Friday five.

    November 2020
    The Statusof the Caravan Industry in Australia
    Part 1: Manufacturer & Dealer (Supplier) Issues

    As the end of an extremely difficult and strange – and hopefully never-to-be repeated – year nears, it is prudent to analyse all of the prime recreational vehicle (RV) issues – both good and bad – that have occurred, and been brought to the attention of the Caravan Council of Australia (CCA).

    Sadly, there are still numerous serious problems that are badly tarnishing the image and reputation of the industry, and causing much grief to many caravanners.
    Professional and ethical caravan and camper-trailer companies are being "tarred by the same brush" that the lesser-respected companies are using.
    The Corona virus pandemic has certainly caused many severe hardships, due to all of the imposed restrictions and the interruption of business operations, but the resumption of "normal" lifestyle activities provides an excellent opportunity for the industry to work together to achieve a very high level of professionalism and credibility, and create a clean and positive image for the RV industry. Needless to say, the pandemic has also caused much disappointment and frustration for RV owners.

    The CCA has been receiving the usual large number of calls and emails from caravan owners and potential-buyers. The vast majority of callers have experienced problems with their caravans, ranging from annoying minor faults to serious and dangerous defects. Most of the issues have been related to the usual “Top 5”, which are noted below.

    Complaints were split fairly evenly between:

    Manufacturer
    matters – Design and Quality – especially the long-time major problem regarding Ratings and Masses (refer Definitions) for both caravans and tow-vehicles and handling concerns on the road, and…


    Dealer
    (Supplier) matters – regarding the information provided to them by sales personnel when first discussing a possible purchase, the hassles of having minor faults acknowledged and rectified promptly, and the extremely stressful, lengthy and expensive process of having to take legal action when the Dealer refused to abide by the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

    Very pleasing was the exceptionally high number of enquiries from first-time buyers, requesting information on what to look for – and what to be aware of – when selecting a new caravan.
    The CCA never mentions any Brands or Companies, but has assisted many potential-buyers with their free “Buyer-Assist” package, which provides among other things, Checklists for “Evaluation” of what they really want, “Comparison” of what different caravans are available (as they inspect each Make & Model caravan), along with a detailed “Pre-Acceptance Inspection”.

    The not-to-be-proud-of “Top 5” – issues are:
    1: Too many new, under-resourced, manufacturers and importers competing in a very limited, and highly competitive, market:
    The number of problems and complaints against newer, and smaller, companies are significantly disproportionately high, in relation to the number of vehicles sold by them. The caravan industry needs to protect itself, by insisting that the Government urgently introduces mandatory, comprehensive and fully independent audits and assessments of all businesses involved with the manufacturing and marketing of caravans and camper-trailers in Australia.

    2:
    Too many serious Non-compliance, Safety and Quality problems with subsequent complaints and litigation.

    In a number of cases, there is an unfortunate culture of "get these things out the door quickly... and we will worry about (or ignore) problems with them later". Often there is no proper Quality-Assurance program in place.

    3:
    Marketing personnel not educated in major Technical and Legal issues regarding caravans.

    Many caravan owners - and potential buyers - have complained about the poor knowledge, and unprofessional conduct, by some sales personnel. Frequently, very little attention is given to the "intended use" of a proposed caravan, both the proposed travel plans of the potential buyer, and the suitability (Ratings, Mass, Power, etc.) of the proposed tow-vehicle.

    4:
    Major systemic industry problem: Vehicle Ratings and Masses frequently grossly misunderstood or simply ignored.

    It is of great concern that many people continue to believe, and use, the incorrect equation - that:
    Empty Ball Loading = ATM Rating minus GTM Rating
    or
    GTM Rating = ATM Rating minus Empty Ball-Loading
    This is completely wrong.
    The ATM & GTM are fixed "Ratings"… allocated by the manufacturer - using an engineering assessment - in relation to the maximum-permissible "All-Up" & "Axle(s)" limits.
    The Empty Ball-Loading is an "actual mass" - that must be measured - and is obviously applicable only for the empty (Tare Mass) condition.
    The correct formula is:
    Actual Ball Loading = "All-up Mass" minus "Axle(s)-Loading"

    5
    : Serious Consumer-Protection (ACL) - Non-Compliance issues with Dealers (Suppliers), especially regarding the rectification of Defects.

    Product issues include: Fit for purpose; Of acceptable quality; As advertised or promoted; Safe and (fully) compliant; and Free from defects.

    Stringent and prompt action needs to be taken by the relevant Government departments, when a consumer reports a serious non-compliance. Immediate remedial undertakings must be enforced - as is mandated for motor-vehicle faults - with substantial penalties imposed for ignoring or delaying the rectification.

    Hopefully effective immediate action will be taken to ensure that a new highly respected image for the Caravan Industry in Australia is created, for the benefit of everyone.
    Colin G Young [P.Eng.]
    Member: IEAust & SAE Caravan Council of Australia www.caravancouncil.com.au
    I’m pretty sure the dinosaurs died out when they stopped gathering food and started having meetings to discuss gathering food

    A bookshop is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still thinking

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Gabbadah WA
    Posts
    1,438
    Total Downloaded
    0
    I sometimes just cant comprehend the size of some of the vans behind totally inadequate vehicles on our roads , there just seems to be no control over who is aloud to tow what .

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    St Helena,Melbourne
    Posts
    16,051
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Fatso View Post
    I sometimes just cant comprehend the size of some of the vans behind totally inadequate vehicles on our roads , there just seems to be no control over who is aloud to tow what .
    Totally agree, you see these massive 3t plus vans almost as long as a B double being dragged all over the place.
    MY08 TDV6 SE D3- permagrin ooh yeah
    2004 Jayco Freedom tin tent
    1998 Triumph Daytona T595
    1974 VW Kombi bus
    1958 Holden FC special sedan

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Whyalla, SA
    Posts
    7,064
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Fatso View Post
    I sometimes just cant comprehend the size of some of the vans behind totally inadequate vehicles on our roads , there just seems to be no control over who is aloud to tow what .
    As a general rule a reputable manufacturer won’t hook a van to a non-compliant tug.

    What they cannot control is the individual that rocks up with a LC200 and then trades to a Colorado and continues to tow.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Gabbadah WA
    Posts
    1,438
    Total Downloaded
    0
    The trouble is what is a real compliant tug , i wouldn't tow a 3.5tonne van with anything less than a small truck of comparable weight , these 2 to 2.2 tonne 4x4 Utes that are listed to tow 3.5 tonnes is just so wrong imo .

    That is my say , will leave it alone as this topic is a real Popcorn topic , just saying what i would do , or would not do .

  6. #6
    Saitch's Avatar
    Saitch is offline OldBushie Silver Subscriber
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Armstrong Creek, Qld
    Posts
    7,955
    Total Downloaded
    0
    There's no way that I'd tow 3.5 with my D3!
    'sit bonum tempora volvunt'


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Tumbi Umbi, Central Coast, NSW
    Posts
    5,743
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Was there ever a time when there was a regulation or a rough rule of thumb that a van should not weigh more than the towing vehicle?

    Maybe I am just imagining that this was the case.

    1973 Series III LWB 1983 - 2006
    1998 300 Tdi Defender Trayback 2006 - often fitted with a Trayon slide-on camper.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    18,474
    Total Downloaded
    0
    I thought the old rule in NSW was that the weight of the "trailer" was to be less than the gross weight of the towing vehicle.

    Then in Aust, rules changed (around 2000?????) where it was up to the manufacturer to specify towing weights.
    REMLR 243

    2007 Range Rover Sport TDV6
    1977 FC 101
    1976 Jaguar XJ12C
    1973 Haflinger AP700
    1971 Jaguar V12 E-Type Series 3 Roadster
    1957 Series 1 88"
    1957 Series 1 88" Station Wagon

  9. #9
    Saitch's Avatar
    Saitch is offline OldBushie Silver Subscriber
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Armstrong Creek, Qld
    Posts
    7,955
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by 101RRS View Post
    I thought the old rule in NSW was that the weight of the "trailer" was to be less than the gross weight of the towing vehicle.

    Then in Aust, rules changed (around 2000?????) where it was up to the manufacturer to specify towing weights.
    brown-paper-bag.jpg
    'sit bonum tempora volvunt'


  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    507
    Total Downloaded
    0
    What do you expect from an industry that self-regulates?

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Search AULRO.com ONLY!
Search All the Web!