Australian Touring RV Club Inc

RV helpful links

Leave no TRACE - CMCA website

https://www.cmca.net.au/services/leave-no-trace

RV Friendly towns - CMCA website

https://www.cmca.net.au/services/rv-friendly/rv-friendly-towns

RV Friendly Destinations - CMCA website

https://prod1.cmca.net.au/services/rv-friendly/destinations

RV Dump Points - CMCA website

https://www.cmca.net.au/assets/images/DumpPoints/2_2_16_Public_Dump_Point_List.pdf

RV Article Grey Water RV Daily Issue 6 - RV Daily Website

 http://rvdaily.com.au/issue006/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Your+Guide+To+Trailer+Axle+Alignment&utm_campaign=RV+Daily+Issue+006+-+Send+003#35

Interesting article - Grey Water - RV Daily Issue 6

There is an interesting article from the publication RV Daily on grey water.

To view this article:

Select: Information Menu

Select: RV Information

Look under: RV Helpful Links and Click on the Grey Water Link

Caravan Council of Australia - Technical and other topics

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CARAVAN COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA (CCA) - ARTICLES TO ASSIST "VANNERS"

The article shown above  is an editorial of the Caravan Council of Australia, they have an enormous amount of information on their website that we believe is worth looking at; to view the Main CCA website please Click on this link: www.caravancouncil.com.au 

To view the technical articles - Click on this link:

http://www.caravancouncil.com.au/technical-articles

Here are some of the technical topics shown on their website

Caravan Loadings and Ball rating optimization

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74afe1_2894ba34059a4ae3b9567de14ec11756.pdf

Selection of a suitable tow vehicle

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74afe1_64d4b6451dbe4750aa7f32adc777b390.pdf

SEE more, look for:  More Caravan Council Topics

 ATCMCC wishes to thank the Caravan Council of Australia (CCA) for their permission to show and link the CCA website and CCA articles.

More Caravan Council Topics

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Towing caravans for Rec-reation

Vehicle speeds when towing in different states

Whether or not you’re towing, a speed limit is just that – the maximum speed at which you’re allowed to travel. However, you many need to modify the speed at which you’re travelling when towing, regardless of the signposted limit. With this in mind, we look at trailer speed limits in each Australian state.

When towing a trailer, the dynamics of the tow vehicle are changed, especially if you’re towing an unbraked trailer up to a maximum Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) of 750kg.  You effectively have up to 750kg pushing your tow vehicle along without any extra braking assistance.

It’s therefore sensible to travel at a speed that is appropriate for the road conditions, regardless of the signposted speed limit.

Trailer speed limits

In most cases, the law states that the maximum speed limit for a tow vehicle with a trailer in Australia is as per the signposted speed. However, there are some subtle variations to this rule across the states.

New South Wales

The maximum allowable speed of a tow vehicle towing a trailer in New South Wales is 110km, as per the maximum allowable speed on motorways and highways, so long as the tow vehicle has a GVM not exceeding 4,500kg. [Understanding maximum trailer mass]

Tasmania

In Tasmania all vehicles towing trailers or caravans must abide by the posted speed limit, unless the trailer or caravans has a GVM of 12 tonnes or more. Highways in Tasmania have speed limits of 100km/h and 110km/h. Therefore the driver of a vehicle towing a trailer or caravan can drive at the posted speed as long as it is safe to do so.

Western Australia

Like New South Wales, Western Australia has a maximum of 100km per hour for a vehicle towing a trailer. However, there is no specified vehicle and trailer weight. Note that the maximum allowable speed on motorways and highways in Western Australia is 110km per hour.

South Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Queensland and Victoria

The remaining states and territories have no trailer speed limits for towing. Instead, they recommend that drivers travel at a speed that is suitable to the prevailing conditions on the open road.

RV Important Information

IMPORTANT NEWS ON BRAKING SYSTEMS

NSW LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS 

Caravan braking laws are State based but are generally the same. NSW now has the strictest laws with new requirements for Remote Battery Monitors for breakaway systems. The laws apply to all caravans registered in NSW.

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/help-brakes.php

Professional Assistance for 'Vanners with Major Compliance & Safety Problems

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(Above) Complaint Form - Caravan Issues

The Club consistently hears from members and others of the difficulties experienced in getting dealers and manufacturers to rectify matters of compliance and safety related to their caravans – weight and load issues are very prominent.

We recently learned that there is an avenue for reporting issues to the national legislator, The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, but it seems that they will only act on issues that arise on a repetitive basis. It is therefore important to make sure that you report the difficulties you experience. The Department encourages members of the public to report possible cases of safety issues and non-compliance through the link on the following website.

 https://infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/reporting/index.aspx

 Additionally, we are very pleased to see the following information provided by the Caravan Council as a method of seeking resolution for compliance and safety issues and congratulate the Caravan Council on the establishment of this program. This may be of benefit to some of you……

 Caravan Council email 29 December 2016:

 The Caravan Council of Australia - www.caravancouncil.com.au - is introducing a professional engineering and legal assistance program to help owners of caravans and camper-trailers, who have serious unresolved technical problems with their vehicle.  

This service is available only for alleged Major Defects involving Compliancing and 

Safety… where discussions with the Supplier have failed to satisfactorily resolve the issues. 

Complainants are asked to provide a few (small-size) photos - if applicable - to best-illustrate the issue(s): 

 The completed form, with photos, must not exceed 5 MB, and must be limited to 4 pages.

 A Statutory Declaration from the Complainant will be required before the Supplier is contacted.

 Complainants are to email the fully-completed form to the Caravan Council of Australia  caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au where it will be examined – in strict confidence – by an independent professional experienced engineer, and an accredited experienced solicitor - without cost - to determine whether any legal action is likely to favourably resolve the issue(s), and what the indicative costs*** would be for: 

(a) Initiating such action, by a Letter of Demand and 

(b) Proceeding with appropriate action, if necessary.

***  An indicative cost for a simple basic Letter of Demand is around $400 - $500 (+ GST).

If the Claim is deemed to be justified, and likely to be satisfactorily resolved, the Solicitor will provide a completely-free – without any obligation whatsoever – initial telephone discussion, for up to 20 minutes! 

Caravan Council of Australia  3 Margaret Street, Parkdale, VIC 3195     Tel:  0409 865 399 

More Caravan Council Topics

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Effects of contents of tanks on ball loading

CAR HEAD-RESTS another purpose for an Emergency

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Your car headrests may save your life in an emergency situation, open the pdf file above and read.

Snake Bite ** NEED TO READ **

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This article is a must to read about what to do about snake bite

Fire Safety Camping and Caravanning

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This is an extract from the ACCVic News letter Aug 2016

Thinking of buying a second-hand caravan

If you are thinking about buying a second-hand van, check out this article….

http://racqliving.com.au/caravanning/buying-second-hand-check-stolen-caravan-registry/

More Caravan Council Topics

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Over-taking Distance - Basic

Caravan Compliance Plate Issues - Important

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 must 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 - caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au - 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.

Linda 

(Secretary) 

Caravan Council of Australia 

Caravan Jacks - Need to READ

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Here is an interesting article on caravan jacks.