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25.01.2022 Caravan Broken Wheel Studs & Loose Nuts The CCA continually receives a small number of reports of broken wheel studs, and loose wheel nuts sometimes with the nuts unwinding COMPLETELY off the studs. There has recently been a SPATE of such incidents. It must be stressed that if a stud breaks, it is certainly NO proof that the stud itself was faulty. There are a number of reasons for the problems. All supplied instructions regarding wheels and wheel nuts MUST be precisely fo...llowed. It is VITAL to ensure that if van owners or dealers fit AFTER-MARKET wheels and nuts, they thoroughly check to ensure the replacement wheels and nuts are, in fact, COMPLETELY suitable for the vehicle and axles. Possible Reasons for Broken Wheel Studs, or Loose - and lost - Nuts: The pitch circle of the studs in the (imperial) hub NOT exactly the same as that of the holes in some (metric) wheels, such that all studs bend when the nuts are tightened The ANGLE of the taper on the nuts NOT the same as the angle of taper in the wheels LOW-GRADE studs being used The hole in the wheel centre NOT compatible with the spigot diameter of the hub The serrated studs NOT fully driven home when pressed into the hubs, such that they gradually give a little, thus causing the nuts to become loose Rattle-guns - set at unknown high-torque levels - used to TIGHTEN wheel nuts (rather than just undo them), causing the studs to stretch, and thus become weakened Nuts being tightened in a circular pattern in one action, rather than in a criss-cross pattern using two or three (increasing) torques Wheel centres being highly dished, thus acting as a large spring-washer that gradually looses its tension and causes the nuts to loosen Clearly, ALL nuts must be tightened to the correct TORQUE, and in the correct PATTERN, in strict accordance with the instructions provided by the wheel or chassis manufacturer. It is strongly recommended that pencil lines are made on one face of EACH nut - with a mating line on the wheel - so that a quick visual inspection can detect any loosening of a nut. Safe & Happy Travels! Colin

25.01.2022 The Effect of Combinations of Empty / Full Water Tanks on Varying the Ball-Loading The Ball-Loading of a caravan is one of the critical factors that determine its Handling and Stability characteristics. Serious safety issues arise if the Ball-Loading is either too light, or too heavy. ... The seriousness increases significantly if the mass of the tow-vehicle is not sufficiently high to be able to control any instability of the caravan. There are far too many instances - sadly, too often with damaging, or even tragic, outcomes - where the "tail wags the dog". It goes without saying, that any caravan - when towed by a suitable tow-vehicle - must handle safely, regardless of whether it is empty, or fully-loaded (up to its ATM Rating). It is certainly reasonable to believe that a Manufacturer has professionally and realistically tested their different Models of vans, before offering them for sale, in order to be able to credibly determine the optimum Minimum and Maximum Ball-Loadings for satisfactory handling performance. It is also to be expected that Manufacturers have designed the (longitudinal) location and mass-limit for each storage compartment, so that when the van is loaded - in a reasonable and typical manner - the mass-distribution remains within the acceptable design range. A major problem with many vans is that the mass-distribution - hence the crucial Ball-Loading - varies excessively, depending on the possible combinations of the (empty and full) contents of the water tanks. It is also expected that all Manufacturers would have done their engineering design thoroughly, and thus be able to advise potential-buyers of the worst-two combinations of the contents of the tanks that is, what the actual Maximum - addition and subtraction - variations of the Ball-Loading are (in kg). If this information cannot be provided by the Manufacturer / Dealer, these two Maximum - addition and subtraction - variations of the Ball-Loading, can be readily calculated by using the attached "moments" (force X distance) formula. The capacity of each tank must be known (remembering that one litre of water weighs one kg), along with the distance from the centre of each tank to the centre of the axle (or axle-group for tandem axles), and the distance from the Coupling to the centre of the axle (or axle-group for tandem axles). Dimensions towards the front of the van are positive. Dimensions towards the rear of the van are negative. The formula can also be used to determine the change in Ball-Loading, should any equipment be added to - or removed from - the van. Safe & Happy Travels Colin

25.01.2022 There is more information on Caravan Safety at: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au//vehicle/safe-caravanning

25.01.2022 Caravan Broken Wheel Studs & Loose Nuts Most of the causes of broken wheel studs - and loose and lost wheel nuts - can be attributed to the 8 listed items in the first article. Having worked in the international automotive-engineering industry for many years - especially in design and durability / reliability testing - I know how cars are professionally engineered, and ALL components are properly evaluated before being selected for use. ... The optimum total suspension SYSTEM is critical for ensuring that the best-possible ride / handling / stability / reliability / durability performance is achieved. The TOTAL suspension-rate depends on the Rates of the SPRING and the TYRE. The Tyre-Rate is CRITICALLY dependent on the tyre CONSTRUCTION and complete SIZE-SPECIFICATION and most importantly on the INFLATION PRESSURE, which MUST be in accordance with the actual tyre LOADING, and the type of road surface. The desired DAMPING characteristics of any suspension system is essential. How many cars and trucks - with LEAF-SPRINGS - have you seen WITHOUT dampers??? It is IMPERATIVE that all chassis / caravan / camper-trailer Manufacturers and Importers ensure - and retain written credible PROOF - that ALL heavily-loaded running-gear components (wheels / tyres / springs / axles / wheel-studs, etc.) have been professionally designed and tested, have the correct material specification, hardness and accuracy, and fully-comply with an acceptable STANDARD, or internationally-recognised engineering practice. It is equally IMPERATIVE that, when a caravan or camper-trailer is repaired or serviced, ALL replacement components are of known high-quality and are perfectly inter-changeable. When a stud or nut failure occurs, the components should be examined by an accredited engineer, with the metal Composition or Grade - and the mode of failure - determined, in order to see if there is a serious SAFETY issue involved. If there is, VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS and the ACCC should be immediately advised of the potential risk to both vanners and other road-users.

24.01.2022 Basic Compliance Check-List Trailer Plate: Does the Trailer Plate show at least the following information: ...Continue reading

24.01.2022 Caravan Assessments & Reviews After speaking with many caravanners, after several years, it is clear that regrettably, very little credibility is given to "Reviews of New Caravans" conducted by journalists for caravan publications. This is not to imply that all reviewers and journalists are unprofessional in their writings. The general opinion is that Manufacturers and Dealers, who advertise in the publications, never get a bad write-up of their vans, or at the worst, ma...ybe just a brief mention of a couple of minor blemishes. Caravanners place no credence in the selection of the caravan to be appraised, with many believing that it is not just a random selection, but rather a hand-picked blue-printed van. It is strongly suggested that in order to gain the publics believability of being a genuine and honest assessment, that the test personnel choose one caravan from several being offered for sale. Surely the two most important items to be first confirmed are: Is the caravan legally Compliant and Safe? The most common complaint by caravan owners is that the actual (empty caravan) Tare Mass is much more than stated. This means that the caravan cannot carry as much luggage as was anticipated and stated. In addition, quite often the actual Empty Ball-Loading is appreciably different - either much higher, or much lower - than that stated. The Tare Mass and the Empty Ball-Loading need to be accurately and independently measured to see if they are, in fact, the same as advised, and the certified weigh-bridge ticket included in the write-up of the caravan, along with a photo of the Trailer Plate. Instead of concentrating mainly on the assessment - and personal preferences - of the lay-out, style, and finish of the caravan, etc., should not the critical initial stage of the evaluation be to determine if the caravan is completely Compliant? There are excellent Compliance Check Lists - and Pre-Delivery Check-Lists - freely available from the CCA, including a condensed "Basic Compliance Check-List".

24.01.2022 ANU - Caravan Research Project!!! Hi 'Vanners The Australian National University, ANU College of Law is conducting research to identify whether the Australian consumer law and the ...Continue reading

23.01.2022 CCA Up-Date - Assisting the Caravan Industry The Caravan Council of Australia has admirably, and independently, assisted many appreciative caravan owners and potential-buyers - plus a number of manufacturers - over the past seven years, on compliance, safety, engineering design, and various technical issues. The CCA is certainly not "just a customer-advocate"....Continue reading

23.01.2022 Hi 'Vanners Buying a caravan is a very big investment, and it is essential that a potential-buyer thoroughly does their "home-work" beforehand, to best-ensure that they make a sound and wise investment. Firstly, and most importantly, use the 2-Part Buyer-Assist - "Evaluation & Comparison" - to determine exactly what 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 o...Continue reading

22.01.2022 Lest We Forget (ANZAC Tribute ) Lest We Forget, they paid the greatest debt,... Forever we will hold their memory deep. Lest We Forget, what might have been but yet, The peace they fought to give us, well always fight to keep. The ANZAC Shrine remind us, of our Countrys gallant past, Of the wars weve had to fight in, to make our freedom last, It tells us of the courage, of the ones lost with regret, Who saved our Country for us, I say Lest We Forget. Our soldiers showed the spirit, no finer ever seen, And we must always keep in mind, the things that might have been, And we must never close our eyes, to what might happen yet, Well keep that spirit evermore, I say Lest We Forget. Have you ever stopped to wonder, or to offer thanks and praise, To those no longer with us, but who fought for better days, Just what we owe cant be repaid, but this I know for sure, Well follow in their footsteps too, if theres another war. But we pray to God that peace prevails, that we wont have to fight, So I ask you please to bow your head, at the ANZAC Shrine tonight, And recall our fallen heroes, all those we never meet, And thank them for our freedom now, I say Lest We Forget. Lest We Forget, they paid the greatest debt, Forever we will hold their memory deep. Lest We Forget, what might have been but yet, The peace they fought to give us, well always fight to keep. Courtesy of the Caravan Council of Australia

22.01.2022 Caravan Quality-Assurance Program Does the Manufacturer of Your Caravan have One??? The legal requirements for manufacturers of caravans and camper-trailers for ensuring full Compliance and high Quality, are exactly the same as those for motor vehicles arent they???...Continue reading

20.01.2022 Caravan Inspections - Safe Holiday Travels To best-ensure SAFE and TROUBLE-FREE caravan travels over the holiday season, it is VITAL to ensure that your caravan - and tow-vehicle - are in a good and reliable condition and are completely road-worthy. The CCA web-site - www.caravancouncil.com.au - has, under "Technical Articles" (on the home-page), two helpful Inspection Check-Lists:... "Caravan Inspection - Basic.pdf" and "Caravan Inspection - Detailed.pdf Drive for Recreationnot for Wreck-creation! Safe & Happy Travels

20.01.2022 Tyres are probably the most important SAFETY consideration on ANY vehicle - especially a TOW-Vehicle - in relation to Handling and Stability. It is absolutely IMPERATIVE to ensure that tyres are genuinely APPROVED with a (U.S.) "DOT" embossing on the side-wall, or an "E-Mark", (which is a capital "E" inside a circle, with a small subscript number) along with the Approval Number. Tyre size specifications MUST be as stated on the TYRE PLACARD. ... The "Load Rating" and "Speed Rating" MUST be sufficient. Remember there are only four SMALL patches of rubber connecting the vehicle to the road. Remember it is VITAL that tyre INFLATION PRESSURES are always those recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, and that they are frequently CHECKED (with an accurate gauge).

20.01.2022 Important Questions for Potential-Buyers of Caravans to ask a Supplier (Dealer) BEFORE you consider signing a Sales Contract and commit to any financial transaction Firstly, and most importantly, use the 2-Part Buyer-Assist - "EVALUATION & COMPARISON" - to determine EXACTLY what caravan you: Want / Need / Can afford, so that you dont get talked into buying something that does not ideally suit your desired travel plans or is outside your budget!...Continue reading

20.01.2022 The Answers will be supplied at a later date. CARAVAN TOWING THEORY TEST - QUESTIONS Legal & Technical Items - Terminology; Ratings & Masses ...Continue reading

19.01.2022 ANU - Caravan Research Project!!! Hi Vanners The Australian National University, ANU College of Law is conducting research to identify whether the Australian consumer law and the ...Continue reading

19.01.2022 Safe Caravanning Holidays Ensuring that your caravan - and your tow-vehicle - are both in good condition, is essential before heading off for a holiday but that is just one part of helping to make your trip safe and trouble-free when travelling. "Caravan Inspection - Basic.pdf" ... "Caravan Inspection - Detailed.pdf" We always hope that we will not be involved in any "emergency situation" on the road - read "frightening, is-this-it???, incident" - but unfortunately it can happen to anyone sometimes with tragic consequences. We can never know beforehand, or control, what another driver will do or what fate can suddenly bring upon us. However, we can foresee - within reason - what could possibly happen and be prepared for it. Equally important, we must know how-best to react to it. No: 1 Priority: Dont be the cause of an "emergency situation"! Also No: 1 Priority: Dont take any "chances" if in doubt, wait! Also No: 1 Priority: Dont get "caught-out" especially on the wrong side of the road! Always drive "within the limits" of your own abilities, and those of your tow-vehicle / caravan combination. A combination is completely different, performance-wise and handling-wise, to just a tow-vehicle. The total Mass is considerably greater meaning that the acceleration - and deceleration - rates will be noticeably slower. Make sure you know how your combination handles, before heading off on a trip. Find a safe area to (legally) practise on to get a good appreciation of the time and distance needed to accelerate to, and decelerate from, certain speeds. Does the combination handle predictably and safely on curves, and during heavy braking? The CCA web-site - www.caravancouncil.com.au - has, under "Technical Articles" (on the home-page), a number of safety articles, such as: "Over-taking Distance - Basic.pdf" "Over-taking Distance - Detailed.pdf" With a semi-trailer, or a 5th-Wheeler, the "coupling" is pretty much directly above the rear-axle of the prime-mover. With a caravan, the "coupling" is quite some distance behind the rear-axle of the tow-vehicle. This means that when the driver turns the steering wheel to go one way, the front of the caravan goes in the opposite direction. Wise Investments: Weigh-bridge Certificate (preferably Certified) - Axle-Loading and Ball-Loading, with the van fully-loaded Ball-Load scale Tyre pressure gauge If you are not 100%-certain of what tyre pressures to run, ask a tyre professional... advising them of the measured Tyre-Loading, and the full tyre specification. You may wish to compare these pressures, against the pressures stated on the Trailer Plate. Drive for Recreationnot for Wreck-creation! Safe & Happy Travels

18.01.2022 The Caravan Council of Australia has been strongly pushing for MAJOR changes to the MVSA 1989 - via amended VSB-1 requirements - and hopefully some improvements are on the way. The No: 1 priority is to get rid of "SELF-CERTIFICATION" which clearly has been proven NOT to be satisfactory. The No: 2 priority is to require all CARAVAN / CAMPER-TRAILER manufacturers and importers to conform to exactly the same conditions that all MOTOR-VEHICLE manufacturers and importers must a...bide by: PROOF-OF-COMPLIANCE with ALL applicable ADRs (Australian Design Rules) - via VSB-1 - forwarded to Vehicle Safety Standards, for examination Vehicle Safety Standards - or accredited INDEPENDENT engineers - conduct a "SUTI" (Single Uniform Type Inspection) on each new MODEL (just "model", not "variants" or "optioned" versions) before it is offered for sale in Australia, to ensure that it is FULLY-COMPLIANT A PROFESSIONAL Quality-Assurance system to be in place, having strict procedures for: Confirming compliance inspection of all ADR-related PRODUCTION components; along with clear up-to-date WORK INSTRUCTIONS & TECHNICAL DRAWINGS and Stage & Final Detailed INSPECTION CHECK-LISTS. http://rvcs-prodweb.dot.gov.au/ https://infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/

17.01.2022 Caravan - Preliminary Engineering Reports Many caravan and camper-trailer owners, who have major problems with their vehicle - and cannot get their Supplier (Dealer) to rectify them (as is legally required under the Provisions of the Australian Consumer Law) - have serious time-wasting and frustrating hassles, trying to have the Supplier forced to honour their legal obligations to fix the defects. Quite often, vanners have been bitterly disappointed after they lodged a comp...laint with the ACCC, or their State Consumer Affairs / Fair Trading, realising that it was not a simple and fast matter of getting the Supplier to rectify "Defects" even apparent "Major Failures". Many vanners then clearly appreciate that they would be hopelessly "pushing water uphill" without taking legal action action against the Supplier to compel them to live up to their obligations, and to rectify the problems. Without having any Court / Tribunal experience - and without having sufficient knowledge of the VSB1 and ACL Requirements and Provisions - most vanners quickly realise that they need to engage a solicitor to handle their case. They well appreciate that they would hopelessly "have their backs to the wall", as no doubt the Supplier will have had their solicitor prepare their Defence documentation, and even if not permitted to have legal representation in a Hearing, they will have been well-versed on what to say and what not to say. For a lot of vanners, they face an agonising "Catch-22" situation, as solicitors often quote fees - just for initiating a legal action - that are extremely high and often unaffordable, and needless to say, require a professional Engineering Report in order to justify their Claims. Expert Witness Reports may well cost a few thousand dollars. The Caravan Council of Australia is endeavouring to slash the cost of having a "Letter of Demand" sent to the caravan Supplier, by liaising with a number of suitable highly-experienced solicitors and professional engineers, to provide an effective low-cost alternative procedure to the current expensive litigation process. Rather than requiring a complete legally-acceptable Expert Witness Report, the engineer will provide a signed succinct Preliminary Engineering Report to the solicitor, that will be adequate to enable the solicitor to compile and forward a "Letter of Demand" to the caravan Supplier. The Preliminary Engineering Report will be solely based on information provided by the caravan owner. The caravan owner will be required to provide a Statutory Declaration, stating that all information and documentation supplied to the engineer is true and correct, and pertains to the subject caravan.

17.01.2022 Caravan Pre-Delivery Check-List The CCA - www.caravancouncil.com.au - has, under "Technical Articles", a detailed "Pre-Delivery Inspection Check-List". Potential buyers, wishing to avoid stressful and expensive problems, email the Check-list, well beforehand, to both the Manufacturer and the Dealer, stating that ALL items on the Check-list will be properly checked before accepting the van, and they MUST be 100%-OK before any $$$$$ changes hands. ... There is also a detailed VSB-1 "Compliance Check-List", available under COMPLIANCE. For ANY van, from ANY manufacturer, it is IMPERATIVE that you obtain a ticket from a CERTIFIED weigh-bridge, stating both the TARE MASS and the EMPTY BALL-LOADING.

16.01.2022 Caravan Problems Itemised for the past several years The Caravan Council of Australia has itemised most of the major Complaints received from aggrieved buyers and owners, over the past several years. It is of deep concern that there are still so many "unhappy campers" who are far from being satisfied with the purchase of a new caravan or camper-trailer. ...Continue reading

16.01.2022 Selecting a Suitable Tow-Vehicle Selecting a suitable tow-vehicle for a caravan is just as important as selecting a caravan that best-suits your particular travel needs. Sometimes a vanner already owns a caravan, and wants to buy a tow-vehicle to tow it. Sometimes a vanner already owns a tow-vehicle, and wants to buy a suitable caravan....Continue reading

16.01.2022 Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) and Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) The following written statement - from Vehicle Safety Standards - clearly explains that BOTH the ATM and the GTM are RATINGS. "In both instances, the weights are the MAXIMUM LOAD as SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER or importer. ... This is determined by the manufacturer based on the design parameters of the caravan and its individual components." See more

15.01.2022 Lest We Forget Lest We Forget, they paid the greatest debt, Forever we will hold their memory deep. Lest We Forget, what might have been but yet,... The peace they fought to give us, well always fight to keep. The ANZAC Shrine remind us, of our Countrys gallant past, Of the wars weve had to fight in, to make our freedom last, It tells us of the courage, of the ones lost with regret, Who saved our Country for us, I say Lest We Forget. Our soldiers showed the spirit, no finer ever seen, And we must always keep in mind, the things that might have been, And we must never close our eyes, to what might happen yet, Well keep that spirit evermore, I say Lest We Forget. Have you ever stopped to wonder, or to offer thanks and praise, To those no longer with us, but who fought for better days, Just what we owe cant be repaid, but this I know for sure, Well follow in their footsteps too, if theres another war. But we pray to God that peace prevails, that we wont have to fight, So I ask you please to bow your head, at the ANZAC Shrine tonight, And recall our fallen heroes, all those we never meet, And thank them for our freedom now, I say Lest We Forget. Lest We Forget, they paid the greatest debt, Forever we will hold their memory deep. Lest We Forget, what might have been but yet, The peace they fought to give us, well always fight to keep.

15.01.2022 Has anyone considered the VITAL issue of increasing the GCM (Gross Combination Mass) Rating of a Tow-Vehicle, WITHOUT appreciably increasing the MASS of it??? It is NOT very nice when you are driving along - and see a caravan coming towards you - and scarily realise that the "tail is wagging the dog"!!! Does ANYONE in a Vehicle Regulatory Authority have an understanding of the POTENTIALLY-LETHAL situation, when the Tow-Vehicle is NOT significantly heavier than the caravan... it is towing?? Why was this vehicle modification APPROVED by some Government Departments??? Do the particular tow-vehicle MANUFACTURERS approve of this UP-GRADE??? What sort of PROFESSIONAL testing and analysing of the vehicles properties was under-taken to provide absolute ASSURANCE that it was SAFE to permit a GCM UP-GRADE??? Will the PERSONNEL involved in permitting this modification to be acceptable, PERSONALLY take the blame for fatalities and serious injuries caused when such a modified vehicle is involved in a TRAGIC accident, as the result of "loss of control of the vehicle combination"???

14.01.2022 Caravan 2-Part "Buyer-Assist" - EVALUATION & COMPARISON Information when considering the Purchase of a new Caravan: You are making a major investment Make sure you do NOT finish up with any regrets. ...Continue reading

14.01.2022 Caravans and the new Road Vehicle Standards Act What is the REAL reason for the lengthy delay in introducing the Road Vehicle Standards Act??? What are the MAJOR differences - if ANY - from the Motor Vehicle Standards Act??? ... Shouldnt ALL Caravan Manufacturers and Importers ALREADY be 100%-COMPLIANT with the PRESENT legal requirements??? Shouldnt ALL Caravan Manufacturers and Importers ALREADY have the necessary procedures in place to ENSURE that all components related to ADR / VSB1 purchasing, inspecting, installation, record-keeping, etc. are properly managed??? Dont ALL Caravan Manufacturers and Importers ALREADY have a professional QUALITY ASSURANCE program in place??? Dont ALL Caravan Manufacturers and Importers ALREADY use professional COMPLIANCE CHECK-LISTS??? How much MONEY and TIME are needed to up-date operations in order to comply??? Meanwhile, serious complaints from highly-aggrieved vanners keep coming in Responses to the above questions would be greatly appreciated!

14.01.2022 Caravanning Option - Buy or Rent ??? Is it more economical to buy or rent a caravan??? That is the BIG Question What are the "Pros and Cons"??? Over the past seven years or so, the Caravan Council of Australia has received many calls from remorseful buyers of caravans that have numerous defects... including extremely-dangerous safety issues, and major non-compliances. ...Continue reading

13.01.2022 Problems on the Road - "Towing Caravans for Rec-reation Not Wreck-creation!" Most unfortunately, the caravan industry is being badly tarnished by the continual reports of serious accidents, involving caravans, on our roads. For every major accident - involving a roll-over - the CCA receives many-fold the number of calls from vanners who have had frightening incidents, involving severe swaying or jack-knifing thankfully usually without injuries or major damage. ... The CCA has written a poem to remind vanners of the important issues to be aware of when towing, and help prevent most of the basic causes of these scary - and potentially-lethal - incidents. Towing Caravans for Rec-reation Not Wreck-creation! Its a good life for the vanners, who live out on the road, Seeing our great country, without a fixed abode, But theres danger ever lurking, on our highways when you drive, So be careful when you travel, so you get back home alive. Towing sure can be a problem, if something isnt right, It may be out of mind, but its never out of sight, So check that alls OK, both the tow-rig and the van, And enjoy the pleasures of your trips, as safely as you can. Is the van in sound condition, are mechanicals still good, Are you never over-loaded, does it tow the way it should, Is the Ball-Load as it should be, not too high and not too low, To give the safest handling, on whatever roads you go? Are the tyres still road-worthy, and still have lots of grip, Have you had the brakes adjusted, so theyll never lock or slip, Are the pressures set correctly, as the makers recommend, To give the needed traction, on a hill or on a bend? Are all the lights still shining, and the couplings done up tight, Are the safety-chains and shackles, still connected safe and right, Are your heavy goods stored safely, in the middle of the van, Are the wheels and bearings still turning well, as smoothly as they can? Do you understand the meaning, of each Rating and each force, Of the tow-rig and the caravan, and their legalise of course?, Theres the ATM and Ball-load, the Tare and GTM, Theres the GCM and Tow-bar specs, you need to know bout them. Questions for ALL Caravanners to Improve Road Safety How well do you understand the important basics of physics, when you are driving a vehicle that is towing a caravan or camper-trailer??? How well do you understand the important Definitions of "Ratings & Masses"??? Here is your chance to find out! The "Test" is available under "Technical Articles" on the CCA web-site: www.caravancouncil.com.au The "Theory Test" has a number of "multiple-choice" Questions so see how you go! The "Theory Test" Answers are also on the web-site but no peeping first! Safe & Happy Travels! Colin

11.01.2022 Engineering Design of Caravans How much genuine professional "engineering design" went into your caravan??? Was it developed using a professional CAD (Computer-Assisted Design) and a high-level CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) program? ...Continue reading

08.01.2022 Many caravan "Trailer (Compliance) Plates" have incorrect and / or incomplete information on them, which can be very mis-leading and even dangerous. All information stated on a Trailer Plate MUSTt be true and complete and MUST be applicable to that specific vehicle, and not just for a "typical" or "base" vehicle. The CCA - www.caravancouncil.com.au - provides a free and confidential service to van owners and buyers, to help-ensure that they have a Compliant and Legal van.... Far too many vans have incorrect TARE MASS and EMPTY BALL-LOAD figures stated. The CCA web-site, under COMPLIANCE, has an article, with simple drawings, explaining the vital terms of "Ratings & Masses". It is most prudent - especially with new vans - to have the Tare Mass and Empty Ball-Load measured at a Certified weigh-bridge. All vanners are to feel free to email to - [email protected] - a CLEAR digital photo of their "Trailer Plate", for checking ensuring that ALL information is completely legible. They should also advise the complete tyre size, Load Rating (kg), and maximum inflation pressure (kPa), that is EMBOSSED on a tyre side-wall.

07.01.2022 Wishing all 'Vanners the Compliments of the Season!!! Safe & Happy Travels...

07.01.2022 Caravan Jacks There have been too many nasty accidents caused when jacks are used to change wheels / tyres on caravans and camper-trailers. There have been reports of some jacks having their lifting mechanism unexpectedly fail causing the jack to instantly collapse. ... The main causes of jacking accidents are clearly the jack: (a) Not being completely suitable for the particular caravan, and (b) Not having its top positive-located so as to prevent it sliding in any horizontal direction. It is essential that a caravan jack is appropriately Approved, and has a sufficient Load Rating, along with a sufficient Travel (lifting range). Caravan Jacks must: Be Approved to the Australian Standard Have the top positively located - by a mating locating recess - to prevent any horizontal slippage Be operational for when the caravan is both empty, and fully-loaded Be positioned on a firm base Have a sufficient Load Rating Have a sufficient length of Travel A Caravan Jack must: When on a firm base, be low enough to engage a locating recess, when any tyre is fully-deflated Have sufficient travel, to enable a fully-inflated tyre to replace that tyre Allowance must be made for the suspension droop when the caravan is raised. Allowance must be made for the probability that the tyres(s) on one side of the caravan will be loaded greater than on the other side. Typically, this may be around 10%. A conservative assumption must be made on the actual Ball-Loading. It is of course much more preferable to have had the Ball-Loading measured, for the particular loading of the caravan. While a typical caravan may have a Ball-Loading of around 10% of the actual mass of the loaded caravan, the actual Ball-Loading may only be around 5%. Caution: Never rely on a jack tragic accidents have occurred when a jack has failed, or has slipped. It is most important to practise changing a wheel/ tyre before heading off on a trip, so that you know exactly what to do if you have the misfortune to have a punctured tyre on your travels. Do you know where everything you will need, is stored and how to use everything? Does the Wheel-Brace fit the wheel-nuts, and do you have the strength to loosen tightened nuts? Does the top of the jack correctly suit the jacking points on the underside of the chassis rails? Does the jack have sufficient lifting capacity (Load Rating)? Does the jack have sufficient travel and is the minimum height low enough? Always carefully read the Warning Notice and Operating Instructions supplied with the jack. If something is not clear to you, contact the Manufacturer for clarification.

07.01.2022 IMPORTANT!!! It is the ATM Rating - not the GTM Rating - that legally limits the TOTAL MASS of a loaded caravan. You do not measure Ratings. Ratings are FIXED and are ALLOCATED by the manufacturer. ... You measure the "All-Up Mass" - with the van dis-connected - and this reading must NOT exceed the ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) Rating. You measure the "Axle(s) Loading" - with the van connected - and this reading must NOT exceed the GTM (Gross Trailer Mass) Rating. Under COMPLIANCE on - www.caravancouncil.com.au - there is an article - with simple drawings, to explain "Ratings & Masses".

07.01.2022 Tyre Pressures You need to know the ACTUAL loading on each tyre, for both the EMPTY and LOADED conditions, and ask a professional tyre supplier to advise the recommended inflation pressure for the particular tyre size... via the Tyre & Rim Association handbook. Dont just GUESS what pressures should be used. Many Trailer Plates state the recommended pressure of the LOADED condition, as that embossed on the tyre side-wall... for the MAXIMUM Load Rating, when most often the tyre is actually loaded to just a FRACTION of the Load Rating. The inflation pressure has a LARGE influence on the Handling and Stability of the caravan.

07.01.2022 Wishing all Vanners the Compliments of the Season!!! Safe & Happy Travels...

06.01.2022 Caravan "Ratings & Masses" & "Ball-Loading" It is of great concern that so many people continue to believe, and use, the hideously-incorrect "old husbands' tale" - or "equation" - that: Empty Ball Loading = ATM Rating - GTM Rating or ... GTM Rating = ATM Rating - Empty Ball-Loading This is completely wrong as there is no logical relationship involved whatsoever! It is like trying to compare apples with bananas. It is of even greater concern when prominent people, with a lot of experience in the caravan industry, reiterate this dangerous fallacy. The ATM & GTM are fixed "Ratings" allocated by the manufacturer, in relation to the maximum-permissible "All-Up" & "Axle(s)" limits. The Empty Ball-Loading is an "actual mass" - that must be measured - and is obviously applicable only to the empty (Tare Mass) condition. The correct formula is, at any time: Actual Ball Loading = "All-up Mass" - "Axle(s)-Loading" The Axle-Group Rating must be less than the lowest Rating of the: Wheels, tyres, suspension structure, springs, axles, and wheel-bearings. The minimum Axle(s)-Loading is that measured when the caravan is completely empty, and is connected to the tow-vehicle. The maximum Axle(s)-Loading is that measured when the caravan is loaded to its GTM Rating, and is connected to the tow-vehicle. It is extremely strange that the GTM Rating, Empty Ball-Loading, and Tare Mass are not legally required to be stated on the Trailer Plate. No wonder there are still so many serious problems, complaints and litigation cases

06.01.2022 Hi Vanners Buying a caravan is a very big investment, and it is essential that a potential-buyer thoroughly does their "home-work" beforehand, to best-ensure that they make a sound and wise investment. Firstly, and most importantly, use the 2-Part Buyer-Assist - "Evaluation & Comparison" - to determine exactly what caravan you: Want / Need / Can afford, so that you dont get talked in to buying something that does not ideally suit your desired travel plans or is outside o...Continue reading

02.01.2022 How did you go on the Towing Test??? CARAVAN TOWING THEORY TEST - ANSWERS Legal & Technical Items - Terminology; Ratings & Masses...Continue reading

02.01.2022 Justice v Aggrieved Caravan Owners Is There Really Any??? The Australian consumer-protection legislation - known as the Australian Consumer Law - has fantastic intentions to look after, and protect, everyone who unwittingly buys a faulty Product, or unfortunately receives unacceptable Service, from a Supplier. Sadly, the real-world situation for consumers - including, or especially - caravan buyers, is in horrible and serious contrast to these honourable "intentions". ...Continue reading

02.01.2022 Caravan "Trailer Plates" The "Trailer Plate" - often misleadingly, referred to as the "Compliance Plate" - is an important part of a caravan or camper-trailer. The intent of affixing a Trailer Plate to a vehicle is to provide an Assurance from the Manufacturer - to vehicle registration authorities and the Purchaser - that the vehicle is fully-compliant with all prescribed Legislation, and as such it is ready for use on Australian roads. ...Continue reading

01.01.2022 Caravan Jacks - Calculation