RVMAP TECHNICAL UPDATE MARCH 2015

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YOUR KEY TO SUCCESS Caravan Industry Association of Australia RVMAP TECHNICAL UPDATE MARCH 2015 In 2015, Caravan Industry Association of Australia will be releasing regular monthly Technical Updates

Striving to provide the best support possible to our RVMAP participants, we believe such updates and ongoing technical advice are necessary for industry education, awareness and relevance.

Please forward any items on to us at rvmap@caravanindustry.com.au.

1 YOUR KEY TO SUCCESS Caravan Industry Association of Australia RVMAP TECHNICAL UPDATE MARCH 2015 In 2015, Caravan Industry Association of Australia will be releasing regular monthly Technical Updates to industry businesses containing relevant technical information and news. Striving to provide the best support possible to our RVMAP participants, we believe such updates and ongoing technical advice are necessary for industry education, awareness and relevance. In order to provide updates that are relevant, we would appreciate any information that you as industry professionals may come across which could be of interest to the wider industry community. Please forward any items on to us at In this month s update Recreational Vehicle Jacks 15 Amp Power Leads Load Carrying Capacities»» Out of Date RVMAP Logos» Recreational Vehicle Solar Installations» D-Shackle Confusion Resolved with Industry Recommendation Still Have Old Accreditation Badges? Production Statistics World and National RV Conferences ADR Amendments Product Safety Recalls Recreational Vehicle Jacks Caravan Industry Association of Australia has recently received several queries from consumers regarding the supply of vehicle jacks with their Recreational Vehicles. Section 4.10 of the RVMAP Code of Practice states that Every caravan shall be supplied with a suitable spare wheel and tyre, along with a suitable jack and wheel brace. Although not a regulatory requirement; it is a compulsory requirement of the RVMAP Code of Practice that you must supply a suitable vehicle jack with every product sold. Note that Slide-On s are exempt from this requirement due to the nature of the product. With off road Recreational Vehicles becoming increasingly popular; manufacturers must ensure that the supplied jack is capable of safely lifting the product to a suitable height even on soft or irregular surfaces. The jack must comply with the current version of Australian Standard AS/NZS For more information on this standard refer to Section 4.10 of the RVMAP Code of Practice. 1 of 6

15 Amp Power Leads There has been much debate on social media of late around the need to have 15 Amp Extension Leads tested and tagged for use more specifically for use at Caravan Parks.

In general there is no requirement in Queensland or Victoria for test and tag on power leads for privately owned recreational vehicles.

2 15 Amp Power Leads There has been much debate on social media of late around the need to have 15 Amp Extension Leads tested and tagged for use more specifically for use at Caravan Parks. The claims are that it is mandatory for all 15 amp leads to be tagged in Victoria and Queensland. In general there is no requirement in Queensland or Victoria for test and tag on power leads for privately owned recreational vehicles. The individual caravan park operator may request that leads are tested and tagged as part of their business s safety management system. If the caravan park operator is supplying power leads to their customers they would then need to be tested and tagged. Load Carrying Capacities (Payload) Caravan Industry Association of Australia has received several phone calls and s this month from consumers who are concerned about the lack of load carrying capacity in their recently purchased Recreational Vehicles (in particular caravans). A A (kg) = Load Carrying Capacity (payload) Includes fluids, luggage, personal effects and options fitted afer manufacture. A will vary depending on the weight of A applied to the caravan. TARE (kg) = B + C GTM rating (kg) = A + B ATM rating (kg) = A + B + C Vehicle plate GTM, ATM, load carrying capacity and maximum tow ball weights must not be exceeded. C will vary between tare and ATM depending on the design & loading of the caravan. C C (kg) = Tow Ball Load C will vary depending on the height of the coupling, the level of the caravan and the weight and loading positions of A. C is the load of the tow ball that is exerted onto the tow ball of the tow vehicle at any time. B B (kg) = Load on Tyres B will vary depending on the weight and loading positions of A. Section 8.2 of the RVMAP Code of Practice states that a reasonable load carrying capacity should be accommodated in any vehicle design depending on equipment fitted to that vehicle e.g. number of water tanks. For a Caravan, Table 8.1 in the Code of Practice outlines the MINIMUM load carrying capacity as follows: It is important to note that these are minimum requirements only. The overriding requirement is that the load carrying capacity must be adequate for a reasonable load, including fluids, luggage, personal effects and any options or parts that can reasonably be expected to be fitted. Page 33 of the Owners Handbook also states that a standard payload for a single axle caravan is 300kg and 400kg for a tandem axle. In one particular case, the plated load carrying capacity of a tandem axle caravan was only 285kg. This same caravan has the capacity to carry 270L of water and has provisions for 2 jerry cans on the A Frame. According to the Code of Practice, this particular Caravan does not fulfil the requirements of allowing for a reasonable load carrying capacity - let alone provide a practical or safe product to the consumer. This is an issue that we will be monitoring closely when carrying out RVMAP audits. 2 of 6

Recreational Vehicle Solar Installations It has been brought to our attention that recent changes to the Australian Standard - Installation and Safety Requirements for Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays

After seeking clarification from the appropriate regulators it is understood that any solar installation which exceeds 120V ripple free DC from the solar panels to the solar regulator must install an

This regulation should not affect the majority of manufacturers, however, be mindful if you are wiring your solar panels in series down to the solar regulator.

Unless the solar panels are fitted with individual micro inverters this should not be a problem. As it is an Australian Standard this regulation applies across Australia and is not State specific.

au Mobile: 0408 580 287 D-Shackle Confusion Resolved with Industry Recommendation Rumours about specific requirements for D-Shackles being enforced by police have been circulating around the country.

Caravan Industry Association of Australia has conducted research with shackle manufacturers to develop an appropriate specification.

3 Recreational Vehicle Solar Installations It has been brought to our attention that recent changes to the Australian Standard - Installation and Safety Requirements for Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays (AS/NZS 5033:2014) MAY affect the installation methods on some Recreational Vehicles. After seeking clarification from the appropriate regulators it is understood that any solar installation which exceeds 120V ripple free DC from the solar panels to the solar regulator must install an appropriate isolator as close to the solar array as practicable. This regulation should not affect the majority of manufacturers, however, be mindful if you are wiring your solar panels in series down to the solar regulator. Furthermore, any installation which allows the voltage to come down from the solar panels above 50V AC will also require isolation. Unless the solar panels are fitted with individual micro inverters this should not be a problem. As it is an Australian Standard this regulation applies across Australia and is not State specific. If you need further clarification on this item, please feel free to contact James Field (Technical Liaison). jamesf@caravanindustry.com.au Mobile: D-Shackle Confusion Resolved with Industry Recommendation Rumours about specific requirements for D-Shackles being enforced by police have been circulating around the country. From our research we have identified that police and state departments have denied these rumours, and advised that there is no specific requirement for D-Shackles. Caravan Industry Association of Australia has conducted research with shackle manufacturers to develop an appropriate specification. Our recommendation is that a shackle meeting the requirements of AS be used to secure rated safety chains up to 3500kg capacity. Suitable shackles have the following specifications: Meet the requirements of AS Shackle grade is S or 6 Working load limit (WLL) is 1000kg Shackle diameter is 10mm Either Bow or Dee shackle design is suitable, although it is noted that the Bow design provides a greater angular displacement. Out of Date RVMAP Logos We wish to remind RV manufacturers and dealerships that advertising of any description which displays the RVMAA circular logo or RVM Australia logo are no longer current. This includes signs, banners, promotional material, badges and VIN plates. There were a number of dealers and manufacturers using out-of-date advertising at both the Melbourne and Adelaide shows. While it was great to see support of the program, it is no longer appropriate to be using these old logos. If you require electronic copies of the new logos for your advertising please contact us and we can send you through the latest style guide. 3 of 6

Still Have Old Accreditation Badges and/or VIN plates? It was also noted that several manufacturers are still using the RVM Australia badges and VIN plates on their accredited products.

4 Still Have Old Accreditation Badges and/or VIN plates? It was also noted that several manufacturers are still using the RVM Australia badges and VIN plates on their accredited products. Caravan Industry Association of Australia provides a swap out program where manufacturers are able to swap their old RVM Australia stock for the new accreditation key badge and VIN plate. For more information and to arrange replacement of products contact Ryan Shea (Industry Liaison): ryans@caravanindustry.com.au Mobile: Production Statistics Recently released RV industry production statistics tell a good news story for RV manufacturing. Monthly combined production for December was 1,518, a 10% increase compared to December Total production figures for 2014 show the second highest yearly production figures in over 20 years. Yearly production figures for 2014 totalled 21,300 caravans and motorhomes. This represents a year-on-year growth of 4.4% since 2013, and of 26% since Taking statistics even further back, 2014 production is 327% higher than combined production in 1995, when only 4,982 caravans and motorhomes were produced. These encouraging statistics are a part of a larger growth trend across the whole caravanning and camping sector. World and National RV Conference The recently held World RV Conference and Caravan Industry Association of Australia National Conference attracted over 780 registrations combined from 16 countries. Both conferences were an enormous success with delegates benefiting from the world class speaker forums to the highly informative breakout sessions. Technical presentations from several international experts from countries such as USA and Germany covered topics including compliance, products standards and trends in manufacturing on a global scale. These conferences provide an invaluable opportunity to hear the latest in industry developments while networking with other manufacturers and suppliers. The next National Conference will be held on the Gold Coast in May World R V C o nfe re n c e ADR Amendments There have been amendments made to the ADRs pertaining to Rear Vision Mirrors and Front Fog Lamps. If you believe that these ADRs may affect you, read on and follow the hyperlinks below. Compilation 1 of ADR 14/02 Rear Vision Mirrors The compilation can be accessed at: Compilation 2 of ADR 50/00 Front Fog Lamps The compilation can be accessed at: 4 of 6

5 PRODUCT SAFETY RECALLS Caravan Industry Association of Australia wishes to notify industry businesses that there have been a number of product recalls this month which may be relevant to your business and/or your customers: Vehicle Recalls Nissan R52 Pathfinder vehicles built between May 2013 and November 2013 & sold in Australia. Defect Description: If the primary bonnet latch is not engaged, the secondary bonnet latch may not hold the bonnet closed as designed while the vehicle is in motion. Date published: 2nd February 2015 For more information click on the following link: Toyota FJ Cruiser GSJ15 (Produced from the 1st - 23rd August, 2013) Defect Description: Due to incorrectly maintained welding equipment on a particular production day, the steering intermediate shaft may have been insufficiently welded. Date published: 9th February 2015 For more information click on the following link: Jeep Cherokee (KJ Model) (Manufacture Year ) Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ/WG Models) (Manufacture Year ) Defect Description: The airbag system occupant restraint control (ORC) module may experience a front airbag and/or seatbelt pretensioner inadvertent deployment. Date published: 10th February 2015 For more information click on the following link: Mitsubishi Pajero Diesel (NS, NT, NW and NX models) built between 10/10/2006 to 10/03/2014 Defect Description: Due to inappropriate structure of the engine timing chain tensioner; abnormal noise may be generated by the lack of the tension control on the timing chain. Date published: 16th February 2015 For more information click on the following link: Ford FGII Falcon Sedan and Utility Ford Territory (SZ Model) Vehicles built from November 12, 2013 through October 13, Defect Description: On some vehicles there is potential for the ignition switch electrical connector to disengage. Date published: 16th February 2015 For more information click on the following link: Range Rover 3.0L V6 S/C and 5.0L V8 S/C (Manufacture Year ) Range Rover Sport 3.0L V6 S/C and 5.0 L S/C (Manufacture Year 2014) Defect Description: The Brake Vacuum Hose may be incorrectly installed. Incorrect routing of the brake vacuum hose can lead to a chafing condition, eventual rupture of the hose and complete loss of vacuum assistance in the braking system. Date published: 23rd February 2015 For more information click on the following link: 5 of 6

Land Rover Defender models - 90 Station Wagon 110 Station Wagon 130 High Capacity Pick Up.

$Should brittle bolts be present, there is a risk they could fracture. Date published: 3rd March 2015 For more information click on the following link: http://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.$ LSU, LE fitted with rear bumpers Holden RA Rodeo 4WD with factory rear step bumper bar manufactured from 01/2006 Holden Colorado 4WD with factory rear step bumper Defect Description: One of the

LSU, LE fitted with rear bumpers Holden RA Rodeo 4WD with factory rear step bumper bar manufactured from 01/2006 Holden Colorado 4WD with factory rear step bumper Defect Description: One of the

6 Land Rover Defender models - 90 Station Wagon 110 Station Wagon 130 High Capacity Pick Up. 130 Crew Cab Pick Up Defect Description: Certain fixings used in the front and rear hub assemblies may have overly brittle bolts installed. Should brittle bolts be present, there is a risk they could fracture. Date published: 3rd March 2015 For more information click on the following link: Component and Appliance Recalls Allin Towbar Heavy Duty - Part Number IS1/GM85 Towbars suitable for: ISUZU Dmax Vehicles manufactured from 10/2008 to 6/ models LS, LSM, LSU, LE fitted with rear bumpers Holden RA Rodeo 4WD with factory rear step bumper bar manufactured from 01/2006 Holden Colorado 4WD with factory rear step bumper Defect Description: One of the towbar fitting components may be incorrect (spacer tube) and may cause movement between the towbar arm and vehicle chassis. Continual movement between the towbar arm and chassis may cause damage to the vehicle chassis. Date published: 16th February 2015 For more information click on the following link: Questions? If you have any further questions regarding any of the issues above, or if you have any technical information you wish to share with us please do not hesitate in contacting one of our Technical Advisors: Anne Campbell - annec@caravanindustry.com.au or James Field - jamesf@caravanindustry.com.au or Technical Team Caravan Industry Association of Australia Working collaboratively with State Trade Associations on trade matters which affect the Caravanning and Camping Industry. Association of Australia 6 of 6

Manufacturer Update Meeting

Manufacturer Update Meeting YOUR KEY TO SUCCESS Caravan Industry Association of Australia RVMAP TECHNICAL UPDATE APRIL 2015 Caravan Industry Association of Australia has received plenty of positive feedback after the release of last