Braking News for Caravans

GaryKelly · Guru

Braking News for Caravans

Bill B · Guru

No recent law changes but maybe NSW are starting to enforce what has been law for several years.

migra · Senior Member

For caravans registered in NSW, the NSW highway patrol/RMS are now enforcing NSW regulations which have been valid since the the late 1990's.

The 3 areas the police will check are:

1. Is a remote battery monitor fitted to the tow vehicle

2. Has the tow ball coupling have a locking device fitted

3. The over hang length of the caravan taking into account the boxes etc attached to the rear of the van.

The RMS are pulling vans into inspection areas and are checking weight + the above.

Fines and demerit points apply.

BTW, 12V gauges or wireless battery monitors are not compliant. disbelief

Cupie · Guru

While there is no such legal requirement for these monitoring devices for Qld registered vans (nor is there any requirement for periodic safety checks), I am in agreement with this law.

Although I use a smart charger to maintain my house battery, the separate Break Safe battery is not kept topped up.

As one of my routine van checks in the run up to a trip (we only use the van every few months these days), I check the Break Safe operation by first pressing the manual test button at its control unit and then by pulling out the operating plug on the A frame mounted switch unit.

When the van has been sitting for 6mths or so the battery usually needs recharging. It seems to be recharged OK from the tug when on the road. I've also had to replace the switching unit twice in the last 15 years.

Perhaps I aught to invest in a quality remote monitoring unit.

TAJ · Senior Member

maybe caravansplus is trying to sell a few

could be campfire gossip heard nothing official

taj

migra · Senior Member

Taj

It has nothing to do with Caravanplus wanting increased sales....it is a NSW regulation. please see a document VIB 6 effective 1998 and reissued April 2007.

Your caravan cannot be registered in NSW unless a remote battery monitor is fitted in view of the driver of the tow vehicle and a warning label is attached to the A frame of the caravan, in fact, if you tow your caravan for registration with a tow vehicle not fitted with a remote battery monitor the tow vehicle will be issued with a defect notice.

If you have a problem, please contact the RMS compliance officer direct.

Please note, this regulation only affects caravans with NSW registration and does not affect caravans carrying registration of other states traveling across NSW.

PeterD · Guru

TAJ, I note you reside in NSW and your rig is "SUPREME CARAVAN PAJERO DIESEL third van" (as you reported in your profile.) If your van is over 2,000 kg GTM you will have a breakaway unit fitted to your van. If that is the case I suggest you get a complying monitor fitted to your breakaway unit. When you first have to get your van inspected you will get a failure notice instead of a pink slip if you don't have the monitor.

By the way, you don't have to purchase it from CaravansPlus.