This amendment /deletion by Canberra's Department of Infrastructure and Transport(DIT) is totally unnecessary and leaves manufacturers to only rely on commonly recognised "best practices" in the RV Industry,where fortunately 99.99% extend engine exhaust and any other accessory exhausts to the rear of Motorhomes. Unfortunately unwary consumers not knowing this fact may buy a Motorhome which does not even comply with the RV Industry's best practice!! I've copied the relevant parts of the amendment which was documented in April 2013.It was slipped through without any notice to all stakeholders in the Industry. Motorhomes are now classified as "goods carrying vehicles"!! DIT made a mistake a few years back and granted an SSM licence to a Victorian manufacturer and forgot to stipulate that the exhausts must be extended to the rear and the lower airvent must be installed in the bottom of the entrance door - NOT built as "a hole through the floor". This is nothing but a Government coverup.
ADR 42/04 Amdt 3 Standards/Australian Design Rules for Vehicles as made
This instrument amends the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 42/04 General Safety Requirements) 2005 to delete the exhaust outlet requirements for light and medium goods vehicles (ADR categories NA and NB) and amends the concession for semi-trailer rear bumper requirements by allowing that only one of two conditions need be met instead of both.
10.3.NC Vehicles must meet the following requirements:
10.3.1.the exhaust outlet must be behind the rearmost seating position and at least 40 mm beyondthe furthermost outboard or rearmost joint of the floorpan which is not continuously welded or permanently sealed, and must not extend beyond the general perimeter of the vehicle when viewed in plan. In the case of permanently enclosed vehicles not fitted with vertical exhaust systems the outlet must extend to the perimeter of the vehicle when viewed in plan;
NC vehicles are classified as Heavy Goods Vehicles with GVMs over 12 tonnes!!
10.2.Omnibuses (MD and ME Vehicles)
10.2.1.the exhaust outlet must be as near as practicable to the rear of the vehicle;
10.2.2.except in the case of vertical exhaust systems, the exhaust outlet must discharge rearwards or to the right of the vehicle,
4.VEHICLE CATEGORIES
4.1.A two-character vehicle category code is shown for each vehicle category. This code is used to designate the relevant vehicles in the vehicle standards, as represented by the ADRs, and in related documentation.
4.5.Goods Vehicles
4.5.1.A motor vehicle constructed primarily for the carriage of goods and having at least 4 wheels; or 3 wheels and a Gross Vehicle Massexceeding 1.0 tonne.
4.5.2.A vehicle constructed for both the carriage of persons and the carriage of goods shall be considered to be primarily for the carriage of goods if the number of seating positions times 68 kg is less than 50 percent of the difference between the Gross Vehicle Mass and the Unladen Mass. (Some authorities use 78kgs as an average weight!)
Question: Does the unladen mass = Tare? Consumer clarification needed.
Comment: this wording is ludicrous,ambiguous and lacks common sense .
Motorhomes are now classified as a goods carrying vehicle. Unbelievable. This means the engine exhaust outlet can be positioned anywhere along the RHS of the vehicle which contravenes the RV Industrys commonly recognised best practice of locating it at the rear of the Motorhome.
4.5.5.LIGHT GOODS VEHICLE (NA)
A goods vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Massnot exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
4.5.6.MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLE (NB)
A goods vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12.0 tonnes.
4.5.7.HEAVY GOODS VEHICLE (NC)
A goods vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass exceeding 12.0 tonnes.
Is there an issue with the exhaust on the right hand side and not the rear?
Mine is a 6.5 Ton Iveco and the exhaust is on the right.. (has been since it was manufactured by paradise motor homes) should I now be concerned?
Yep mine is just in front of rar tyre.. Way behind rear seat.. Never thought of it but the fridge vent is down that side! Never smelt diesel fumes inside while driving. Come to think of it the generator ( diesel) is there too..
Both exhaust face 90* to side so exhaust would be pushed way clear of body..
The amendments in 2013 weakened the ADR, they did not slip any new requirements through.
A motorhome is not categorised as a goods vehicle, it is a motorised caravan aka a passenger car MA or MB. A motorhome is NOT intended to carry "goods". If it was a light commercial vehicle before being converted to a motorhome it would also have had its category changed upon re-registration.
In any event, the ADR has permitted and continues to permit rear or right side exhaust pipes under certain conditions, so what is all the excitement about?
