Hi forum followers. I am writing to ask if any owners of the new release 2016 Golf Savannah 578 caravans have checked to see if their caravans Manufacturers Vin/Identification Plate details match what has been supplied as standard on the van? I'm mainly referring to the tyres/rims that are specified on the plate and am asking if they match the actual tyres/rims that were supplied with the van from new. The plate is located on the chassis under the toolbox.
A mutual friend has one of these new vans and the details on the Vin plate doesn't match what was supplied and fitted to the van 'from new'. After checking the plate details with a reputable tyre supplier re the load regulations vs the tyre/rim size, they confirmed the supplied tyres don't meet the load regulations taking into consideration what is printed on the Vin plate. This news was then followed up with enquiries to Queensland Transport who have confirmed that if they come across the van with that plate, tyres and rim an immediate DEFAULT notice would be issued and the van would not be allowed to be towed again on the road until it was compliant. They continued on to point out that it is actually ILLEGAL for affected vans to be towed on a gazetted road. In addition to this, apparently in the event of an accident there would be no insurance payout as the van would have been illegal and not been compliant. Yet this is what Golf manufactured to Australian Standards and released for sale.
We are concerned that there could be possibly hundreds of these new vans travelling throughout Australia and be totally unaware, as by the sounds of it they were very popular and had a waiting list of purchasers. If you know of anyone with one, can you please ask them to check and if their plate details don't match what's been supplied on the van to urgently contact the dealer they bought it from or the closest Golf dealership. Please don't take my word for any of this. It is in the owners best interest to research it all for themselves.
Good Luck
DeeMe
-- Edited by DeeMe on Wednesday 11th of May 2016 05:45:20 PM
Took the liberty of copying and pasting the text of your post to Avan, the makers of Golf and suggested they make sure this is a one off and not across the board as they are liable under consumer and various road and vehicle manufacturing laws to being prosecuted.
Will be interested to see if they bother to email me back with an answer............
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Based on what Qld Transport are reported by DeeMee to have said about wrong tyres fittied and a default (?) notice being issued plus the vehicle being ordered off the road is all a bit sus in my opinion. That means that if your Jayco/Millard etc number plate bulb is blown you must not tow the van till fixed and you risk being defaulted(?)
I believe it is to do with load ratings...tyre capabilities re weight etc etc...it becomes a safety issue hence the Defect notice. But as I said, owners need to do their own research.
Yes, Apparently there are different options when ordering a new van however this is about the 'standard tyres/rims' that were supplied on van at time of handover and they didn't match the vin plate. Can become confusing so owners need to check on it all themselves to be sure.
Hi Hako... 'you smell a rat' and 'you think it is all a bit sus'? Can you explain what you mean please?
My post was to help the owners of these vans in case they have the same issue and were unaware. Are you saying that I am being dishonest in what I posted?
To refresh your memory Hako, this was your reply to my post:-
Based on what Qld Transport are reported by DeeMee to have said about wrong tyres fittied and a default (?) notice being issued plus the vehicle being ordered off the road is all a bit sus in my opinion. That means that if your Jayco/Millard etc number plate bulb is blown you must not tow the van till fixed and you risk being defaulted(?)
I smell a rat. -- Edited by DeeMe on Monday 16th of May 2016 09:12:34 AM
-- Edited by DeeMe on Monday 16th of May 2016 09:15:44 AM
-- Edited by DeeMe on Monday 16th of May 2016 09:18:00 AM