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RVMAA Newsletter
April 2012
Greetings!

It's shaping up to be a big year for RVMAA in 2012, with end-of-year
production figures up again, our new CEO David Duncan on board and the
show season in full swing.

David Duncan picDavid Duncan met many members at our first general meeting for the year at the SA Caravan & Camping and Outdoor Adventure Show in Adelaide, and has had a busy first month in the job as he addresses the many issues facing our industry. His early priorities include reviewing strategic direction, governance and organisation arrangements, enhancing our recognition as the national voice for RV manufacturing in Australia, in everything from local legislation to international trade. He will be working with State Associations and CRVA to develop jointly-funded initiatives and will develop sponsorships and tap into government funding to secure our financial future.

David has extensive chief executive officer experience gained from a diverse range of organisations within the commercial, public and professional/industry association sectors at state, national and international levels. He is a qualified urban and regional planner who holds an MBA. David is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

On other fronts, we were kept busy with a rush of audits for Members
in need of certification and engineering documentation as a result of CIA-VIC's new compliance requirements for exhibitors at the Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow in Melbourne.

After a big first quarter, the rest of the year promises to continue with
major developments in the structure and function of our Association, and
the industry in general.

 

IN THIS ISSUE
PROMOTION TITLE
JACKS
ARTICLE TITLE
CODES OF PRACTICE & COMPLIANCE
WHAT IS LPG?
TURN-SIGNAL LAMPS
AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW
NEXT DBI & RVMAA WORKSHOP
CRVA CONFERENCE ROUNDUP
GENERAL MEETING - 23 April 2012 in Sydney
23April
By now members have received a notice of the next General Meeting to be held this coming Monday, during the NSW Supeshow.

Date: Monday, 23 April 2012
Time: 7.30 am for an 8.00 am start
Location: Rydges at Parramatta in Rosehill

Please note that this meeting will be in lieu of the usual AGM, which will be postponed until mid-year to facilitate organisational restructuring.
JACKS
Caravan jacks - and prescribed jacking engagement fittings on caravans and camper/ tent-trailers - are under scrutiny.

Jacks and fittings must comply with AS/NZS 2693:2007 which can be purchased from SAI Global.
jack
It is "reasonably foreseeable" that caravans and camper/tent-trailers will have tyre punctures and will need to be replaced during travels.  It behoves "merchants" to provide means to facilitate the replacement otherwise they may well be liable for all costs incurred by the driver in having the replacement carried out.

Our "Code of Practice & Compliance Standards" requires Members to provide, with every vehicle produced, a suitable spare wheel/tyre, a suitable wheel-nut brace, and a suitable approved jack.  There have been some cases where a suitable - in terms of load-rating and lifting-range - jack has not been available for heavy 'vans.

We have been advised that a suitable jack, with a load-rating of 1,500 kg, has now been approved, and is now available. 

Any universal jack that is supplied with a caravan, legally becomes a "Caravan Jack" and must abide with all legal requirements, and the caravan must have prescribed "engagement points".

Members are reminded that the Code requirements for jacks are mandatory requirements.

Important information on jacks is provided at Product Safety Australia's website.

 

NEW MEMBERS


RVMAA membership continues to grow.

Welcome to our new members:
  • Austral Canvas
  • Cameron Canvas
  • Chief Caravans 
  • Eagle Trailers
  • On the Move Caravans
  • Safari Caravans
  • Van Hallen Caravans
  • Vista RV   

If you'd like information about joining RVMAA, email Gabrielle O'Brien. 

CODE OF PRACTICE & COMPLIANCE STANDARDS
Thanks to all Members who supplied comments - even simple OKs - on the draft of the "Code of Practice & Compliance Standards" for 5th-Wheelers.  

The initial draft of the the same document for slide-ons is attached for comment.  Suggestions for improvements are most welcome.


WHAT IS LPG?
What is LPG? LPG is a fascinating fuel and an excellent fuel, but it has its some "strange" properties.    

Attached is the technical article we supplied for the attendees of the caravan fire training and investigation day.


 

FOCUS ON COMPLIANCE: TURN-SIGNAL LAMPS
Turn-signal lamps are required to alert motorists following behind that the driver will be turning, thus alerting motorists that the combination will require a large turning radius.

lightinglayoutAll turn-signal lamps must be approved.  This is either by having a valid "E-Mark" embossed in them, or having an authentic CRN (Component Registration Number, as issued by Vehicle Safety Standards).  To obtain a CRN, a position lamp must have a unique permanent identification marking, so that its approval status can be confirmed. To confirm authenticity, visit RVCS certification search website and insert "CRN" in the "category".

Click here to enlarge and print off drawing.

The legislation prescribes where turn-signal lamps are to be located on the rear of caravans and camper-trailers:
  • Two rear turn-signal lamps must be fitted to all caravans/trailers.
  • The turn-signal lamps must be at least 350 mm above the ground.
  • All turn-signal lamps must be no more than 1,500 mm above the ground. This may be increased to 2,100 mm if the "construction of the vehicle does not permit the lower figure to be achieved".  This is aimed at boat-trailers and timber-jinkers, and is not an excuse to place reflectors above the 1,500 mm limit "because they look better there".
  • Turn-signal lamps must be at least 600 mm apart; this can be reduced to 400 mm if the overall width of the trailer is less than 1,300 mm.
  • The flashing rate must be between 60 and 120 flashes per minute.

Manufacturers need to ensure that purchase orders for turn-signal lamps states that they must comply with ADR 06 (which allows European R6 approvals), and that credible proof-of-compliance is provided.  

AUSTRALIAN CONSUMER LAW
Requirements for warranties against defects
The voluntary warranties regularly offered by suppliers  or manufacturers, which are sometimes referred to as  manufacturers'  warranties, are called "warranties against defects" under the ACL. From 1 January 2012, a business must not offer a warranty  against defects unless it:  
  1. concisely states: (1) what the person giving the warranty  must do so to honour the warranty; and (2) what  the consumer must do to be entitled to claim;
  2. includes the following  statement: "Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the  ACL. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and  for compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to  be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure";
  3. prominently states, in relation to the person giving the  warranty, the person's name, business address, telephone number and email  address (if any);
  4. states the period or periods within which a defect  in the goods or services to which the warranty relates must appear if the  consumer is to be entitled to claim the warranty;
  5. sets out the  procedure for claiming under the warranty including the address to which the  claim may be sent;
  6. states who will bear the expense of claiming the  warranty and if the expense is to be borne by the person who gives the  warranty, how the consumer can claim expenses incurred in making the claim;  and
  7. states that the benefits to the consumer given by the warranty  are in addition to other rights and remedies of the consumer under a law  in relation to goods or services to which the warranty relates.
It is  important to note that 'warranties against defects' are provided in addition  to consumer guarantees and do not displace them. This applies to extended warranties that are offered, such as 5 years on chassis, 2 years on suspension, etc.
Further  information on warranties against defects can be found on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) web-site.

 

NEXT DBI & RVMAA WORKSHOP
                                                             DBI
Plans are underway for our second Victorian Department of Business & Innovation Workshop, again to be held at RMIT University, on a date to be confirmed shortly. Proposed topics for discussion include:
  • Australian Consumer Law:  More on obligations of manufacturers/merchants
  • Lean Manufacturing:  More on efficient plant lay-out, EOP-EOQ
  • Light-weight Materials:  What are they?  How do you machine and work with them?
  • Quality Assurance
  • High-level CAD-CAM drawings and accurate Bills-of-Materials
  • Caravan Electricals
  • Business Prudence & Protection:  Recalls:  Legal responsibilities
  • Consortiums:  Sharing expensive manufacturing equipment (CNC machines)
  • Carbon Tax: The effect on manufacturers & Dealers  
Members are asked to suggest further topics that should be presented by email.

 

CRVA CONFERENCE ROUNDUP
The CRVA Conference on the Gold Coast (27-29 March 2012) was attended by a record 602 delegates, bringing together the caravanning & holiday parks industry. Starting with a visit to the Outback Spectacular, the conference was glittered with an array of high profile and relevant speakers.

The conference was officially opened by the Hon Martin Ferguson AM, MP - Minister for Resources and Energy; Minister for Tourism.

Delegates heard former Prime Minister, the Hon John Howard OM, AC, SSI outline his vision for Australia. He gave an informative and impressive presentation that captured the attention of everyone in attendance. Renowned social demographer, Bernard Salt, highlighted that the next decade promises to be a challenge for the RV industry but the opportunities for growth and prosperity were evident.

Highly acclaimed musician, James Morrison AM, entertained his audience with highlights from his early days to the present.

Delegates enjoyed theCRVAupdateFeb live video feed from Washington DC with former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Dr Alan Greenspan, and keynote address from General Peter Cosgrove AC, MC. Tony Christiansen gave an inspirational
address on his very full life with a focus on setting and achieving career and life goals.

Concurrent information sessions, tailored specifically for the trade sector, included lean manufacturing, RV manufacturing best practice, supply chain connections and the impact of the new consumer law on warranty
obligations.

Delegates also had the opportunity to visit the many exhibits and enjoy the networking and camaraderie at the excellent social events.

CEO Stuart Lamont outlined CRVA's ambitious plans for the next 12 months and the body's firm intention to work co-operatively with industry partners such as RVMAA.

Want to know more about CRVA's latest activities? Click here.

 

We look forward to seeing our Members at next week's General Meeting in Sydney.
 
David Duncan
Chief Executive Officer
CONTACT US
RVMAA Inc
64 Harcourt Street
North Melbourne  Vic  3051
Tel: 03 9329 3790 / Fax: 03 9329 3706
  Website: www.rvmaa.com.au

Chief Executive Officer - David Duncan

Executive Officer - Colin Young

RVMAA Sales & Admin
PO Box 1183, Hartwell  Vic   3124
Tel: 03 9889 5500 / Fax: 03 9889 5511
Sales & Admin - Gabrielle O'Brien
Email: gabrielle@rvmaa.com.au


All information provided in the RVMAA eNewsletter is provided for general informational purposes only. The information in the RVMAA eNewsletter is provided to you "as is" by RVMAA in good faith and has been derived from sources believed by RVMAA to be reliable and accurate at the time of providing it. However, information can change rapidly and it is not possible to guarantee that all items will be accurate at all times. RVMAA does not warrant that the information contained in the eNewsletter is accurate, complete, current or suitable for your intended use.