The official e-newsletter of the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing Association of Australia Ltd
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FEB 2014
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER UPDATE
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Two exciting announcements were made this month.
You will already have read about the new integrated industry body in the joint statement issued last week, and all of us on the working party are excited at the potential for the new body to lift industry representation to a new level.
This month we also announced the launch of our new
Code of Practice.
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The latest Code of Practice is now available to Members
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New Code of Practice
The latest edition of the RVM Australia Code of Practice has been comprehensively updated to reflect RVMAP requirements and all the latest regulations in a user-friendly "how to" manual for Members to achieve and maintain RVMAP accreditation.
Developed by our RVM Australia technical team and a strategic advisory group of industry experts, it gives Members everything they need to comply with the official rules and regulations as well as RVM Australia's own special requirements.
It is the most useful and comprehensive industry reference in the almost 40-year history of the Association, and is available exclusively to Members at no charge. By this time next week, Members will have received their hard copy version by mail, and will be able to download the soft copy version from the Members Only section of our website.
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MUM's word on new national peak body
There was a healthy roll-up of Members for the Adelaide Member Update Meet (MUM) at the Adelaide show venue last week.
Members were informed that the Boards of RVM Australia and CRVA had met over days prior to the MUM, and agreed unanimously to support the merger of the two organisations to create one national peak industry body. Read more>
My thanks to Dometic for its sponsorship of the MUM - without this type of support, many important industry events could never happen.
The next scheduled MUM will coincide with the Sydney Caravan & Camping Show.
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Anne Campbell joins
Daniel Sahlberg on our
technical team
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Boost for our Technical Team
As part of our commitment to boosting the Association's technical resources, we recently recruited experienced mechanical engineer Anne Campbell to join Daniel Sahlberg on our technical team. Anne takes over from Murray Longe, who has completed his contract and moved back into the IT industry. She and Daniel will continue the very successful embedding of the RVMAP processes within the industry while also providing technical advice to Members and making key submissions to government on important industry matters.
Anne has valuable experience in the car industry, having worked on several engineering project teams at Holden. Although her work covered various aspects of automotive design and engineering, her particular specialty was in the electrical area, and she played a key role in developing the electrical systems of Commodores and Statesmans during her time at Fishermans Bend. She has a strong affinity for caravanning, having enjoyed family caravan holidays as a child and now continuing the tradition with her own children.
Please make Anne welcome when she visits your factory.
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from smaller vans, pop-tops
and camper trailers to vans
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Production exceeds 20,000 for the
4th year running
Australian RV production in 2013 has topped 20,000 for the fourth successive year.
The 2013 annual production reports issued to members this month show that Australian RV manufacturing continues at levels not seen since 1980. Healthy production in the second half of the year has made up for a quieter first half, resulting in total production for 2013 of 20, 402 which was within 1.5% of last year's total.
The upswing late in the year meant that the provisional production estimates we issued at the end of the year, in response to increasing media interest in our output, were slightly more conservative than we intended. Our best estimates pre-Christmas suggested the total would be 20,025, so our actual figures, available mid-February, showed a welcome increase from this estimate.
If you'd like to know more about RVM Australia's production reports, please email Gabrielle O'Brien.
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Exciting times ahead
I hardly need say that 2014 is already one of the most significant and exciting years our industry has seen for a very long time, and I will keep you up to date with further developments as they happen. If you have any specific questions or suggestions, I will be very pleased to hear from you and discuss them in person.
David Duncan
Chief Executive Officer
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INSTALLING THE RIGHT METER OR MONITOR SPONSOR'S ARTICLE
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Free-camping is becoming more and more popular with consumers, so it's becoming critical for them to be able to accurately keep an eye on their batteries. This creates a major need for the installation of a solid battery meter or monitoring system. But with the range of battery meters and monitors on the market it's important that you chose the right one for the right system; luckily Bainbridge Technologies has put together a handy guide to help you choose the right meter or monitor to install. Learn more>
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TECHNICAL
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VIN plate stamping on drawbar
Manufacturer Members will be aware that RVMAP and RVM Australia's Code of Practice requires them to stamp the VIN of the vehicle into the chassis.
Members are reminded of the requirement that was introduced in NSW from 1 November 2012 which specifies that:
- A trailer VIN be stamped directly onto the left front top section of the drawbar as well as the Manufacturer's trailer plate is now applicable.
- Any trailer manufactured after 1 January, 1989 requiring a blue slip to establish registration will require the VIN to be stamped on the trailer & trailer plate.
- The VIN must be stamped at least 7mm high; it must be legible, in one line and less than one character-width apart and no double stamping of characters. The VIN must not include the letters I, O and Q.
Since RVMAP already requires the VIN to be stamped on every vehicle drawbar, the extra NSW requirement only adds a specific location to the requirement. If you comply with the NSW requirement, you will also be complying with RVMAP and matching or exceeding the requirements in other states.
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Important changes to heavy vehicle regulations
From 10 February 2014, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) will administer one set of laws for heavy vehicles under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), delivering a range of services under a consistent regulatory framework.
The new rule book will take effect in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The NHVR will administer the HVNL and be responsible for the delivery of services previously delivered by state and ACT road transport authorities.
- Click here for explanatory sheet
- Click here for NHVR flyer
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Load Carrying Calculator - coming soon
Another innovative project completed recently by our technical team is a new Load Carrying Calculator for use by manufacturer members and dealers to help customers get a true picture of how much carrying capacity they need. It will address once and for all the vexed question of what people really want to take and how much it really weighs. It is designed as a tool to sit down with customers and go through their needs with them as the first vital step of the sales process, and is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate sales expertise and helpfulness to them.
Members can expect to receive an email within the next few days with the Load Carrying Calculator attached, along with a simple video showing how to use it.
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RVMAP enhancements
Following completion of the initial RVMAP roll-out cycle and a subsequent review, RVMAP documentation provided to members at their initial inspection has been further developed including a comprehensive regulation summary and updated checklists. This latest improved documentation will be provided to members in coming weeks.
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CRVA's National Conference for 2014 will be held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart from 2-4 April. The Conference is a chance for industry participants to learn from leading speakers, as well as providing an excellent professional (and social) networking opportunity.
Click here to learn more about the event.
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NEW MEMBER PROFILE - PATRIOT CAMPERS
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This month we meet our new member, Justin Montesalvo from Patriot Campers.
How long have you been in the industry, and what got you involved in it?
We have been in the camper trailer industry just coming up to 12 months. After purchasing a couple of different brands of camper trailers over the years, I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. We got our team involved and created the X1.
Tell us about your product.
We utilise some of the most advanced manufacturing technologies available including 3D drafting, stress analysis and processes such as laser cutting to create a unique semi monocoque design where the body of the camper integrates with the chassis. Couple that with the capacity of a 24-hour-a-day manufacturing facility where we handle every aspect of the build from laser cutting through to powdercoating in house, and we have created a very compact, light weight design at an affordable price.
What were the major reasons for you joining RVM Australia?
For us, RVM Australia has a a strong manufacturing focus. Manufacturing is where our passion really lies, and to have the support of the Association during our infancy in the industry is a major advantage to us.
What future do you see for the RV industry in Australia?
I see more unique designs to come in the future. A lot of product on the market falls into the same category and a left-of-field approach to design will see more Australian innovative products enter the market.
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INMOTION ARCHIVE
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Missed any issues of InMotion?
You can catch up on previous issues of InMotion by visiting our newsletter archive.
Click here to visit our InMotion Newsletter Archive.
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CONTACT US
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RVM Australia Ltd
Suite 3, Level 1
21 Burwood Road
Hawthorn Vic 3122
Tel: 03 9815 2015 / Fax: 03 9815 2012
Website: www.rvmaustralia.com.au
Chief Executive Officer - David Duncan
Technical Advisor - Daniel Sahlberg
Technical Advisor - Anne Campbell
Manager - Finance & Admin - Gabrielle O'Brien
All information provided in the RVM Australia eNewsletter is provided for general informational purposes only. The information in the RVM Australia eNewsletter is provided to you "as is" by RVM Australia in good faith and has been derived from sources believed by RVM Australia 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. RVM Australia does not warrant that the information contained in the eNewsletter is accurate, complete, current or suitable for your intended use.
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