Buying a new caravan is a very big investment, and it is essentialthat a potential-buyer thoroughly does their "home-work" beforehand, to best-ensure that they make a sound and wiseinvestment.
Firstly, and most importantly, it is suggested that you use the new CCA2-Part Buyer-Assist - "Evaluation & Comparison" - to determine exactlywhat caravan you:
Want / Need / Can afford, so that you don't get talked in to buying something that does not ideally suit your desired travel plans or is outside of your budget!
"Self-Certification" of caravans, regrettably, does notprovide potential-buyers with anywhere near the same degree of assurance of Complianceor Quality, compared with motor vehicles, where all compliance evidence is examined by Vehicle Safety Standards, before a new vehicle model is Approved for marketing in Australia.
In addition, a sample motor vehicle is thoroughly inspected by Government officers, to ensure that the vehicle does indeed completely match the Compliance evidence provided. The motor vehicle Certification process is further enhanced by having Government officials conduct strict "CoP" (Conformity of Production) Inspections of production vehicles on a regular basis.
Motor vehicle manufacturers are required to have a professional Quality Assurance program in place, to best-ensure that all future production vehicles are fully-Compliant and of high Quality.
Clearly, the Federal Government has now realised that there are a disturbing number of major short-comings in the caravan industry, as new more-stringentRegulations are being introduced. The Motor Vehicle Standards Act has been replaced by the Road Vehicle Standards Act.
The vital initial Questions to ask a Dealer (Supplier) are:
"Approximately, how many 'vans does the Manufacturer intend to produce each year"??? (Is the number more than 4"???)
"Are your 'vans manufactured under the MVSA or the RVSA"???
If the response is MVSA, ask "Has the Manufacturer applied for Approval under the RVSA"??? If so, "Has Approval been granted"??? If not, "Why not"???
"VSB1" (Vehicle Standards Bulletin No: 1) - that stipulates the legal requirements for caravans (and camper-trailers) - is being up-dated, but sadly again, this will not overcome all of the non-complianceproblems that have badly tarnished the industry, and caused frustrating and costly problems for far too many 'vanners.
This action will be gradually set in motion, and most unfortunately will not place the same mandatory requirements on all Manufacturers... and Importers. Why???
It is a real concern that a number of caravan Manufacturers - and Importers - have gone out of business in recent times... and new manufacturers have entered the (limited and highly-competitive) market. Quite a few production personnel are new to the industry. Also, some essential components have been very hard to obtain.
All potential-buyers need to be ultra-diligent when selecting a new caravan, so as to have a high level of confidence in the future prospects of any particular company.
NOTE: The "must-have" CCA article, "2-Part Buyer-Assist - Evaluation & Comparison", is available - FREE - via email: caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au
It is a real concern that a number of caravan Manufacturers - and Importers - have gone out of business in recent times... and new manufacturers have entered the (limited and highly-competitive) market.
Some of them are probably the same companies that went belly up leaving customers out of pocket & then opening under a new banner.
It is a real concern that a number of caravan Manufacturers - and Importers - have gone out of business in recent times... and new manufacturers have entered the (limited and highly-competitive) market.
Some of them are probably the same companies that went belly up leaving customers out of pocket & then opening under a new banner.
Yep phoenix companies. Nothing has changed and they all drive nice new BMWs
To me buying a Caravan is like buying a new home on your own land. You think you know what you want but there are always compromises that come up or appear after a few months or years or circumstances change and its time to move on. You are often limited by the size of the home because of local council building regs etc. So are our tow vehicles (ie think of them as the land you purchase) but the salesmen muddy the waters with weight limits or omit/gloss over some of them completely. The main difference between house and caravan is one is very regulated and the consumer is to a large extent protected by the law. The other is not. Buying and being fit for purpose, meeting all the regulations is often not enforced. The final product is often way heavier than advertised, and in most cases the attitude of the manufacturers is the buyer should have known. Just like the OP, it seems everything is thrown back at the buyer. Imagine if asked similar questions of a builder, especially a "speccy" builder. You dont because in nearly all cases the law is very clear and everybody must comply and it is enforced. That is what the motor industry needs in regards to real weights a vehicle can tow, and what spare weight is still available after the max load is applied (including rear axle load). There also should be clear regulations about van weights. They must be weighed all loaded up on delivery with all fluids and gas included. Then we would have no problems working out if the vehicle can legally tow or not. It really should not be left to the purchaser to have to ask all those questions, sign documents, pay deposits and then find out after purchase the van/vehicle is not fit for purpose or not as specified and have to fight through courts to get refunds or compensation.
All I say is bring on enforcable regulation in both the vehicle and van industries. Its got to be better than it is now. And for the record, I have never bought a brand new van, I have my own set of scales or borrow some, and I make sure I have at least 10% leeway on all the weights of my car when loaded up.
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16.5 Discovery 4 with a few mods and New Age MR 16' Deluxe
I find that buying an item & keeping it reduces stress levels in life. Bought a house in 1976, still living in it 47 years later. Bought my one & only caravan in 2010, still got it 13 years later. Bought my Navara in 2014, still driving it. With the faults in new caravans these days I wouldn't want one even though I could afford one if I wanted one. Why put myself through the stress?
How many sad stories have I heard about faults in new caravans over the past decade. Chopping & changing isn't for me. Good luck to those that do constantly put themselves through that stress. Financially you also lose money every time that you change a car, caravan or home.
Fees, taxes, stamp duty etc.etc.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Thursday 3rd of February 2022 04:52:10 PM
