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RobertRyan's avatar
RobertRyan
Explorer
Sep 09, 2014

5th Wheeler Safety concerns in Australia

A case of two steps forward and one backward
Australian 5vers having problems
Alarm bells rung over non-compliance of American-style fifth wheelers and hitches sold in NSW

The NSW department of Fair Trading has issued a public warning about the safety of Australian RV Gooseneck fifth wheeler trailers and Hijacker fifth wheel assembly hitches due to non-compliance with Australian Design Rules.
According to Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe, the vehicles were sold by Play Mor, Newcastle RVs and Newcastle RV Specialists over the past four years. The companies’ former director is James Fredrick Kaufmann.
Play Mor and Newcastle RVs are now in liquidation, while Newcastle RV Specialists is currently trading as RV Specialists.
Stowe said NSW Fair Trading has been working closely with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Roads and Maritime Services and the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development about the safety issue.
“Australian RV Gooseneck 4.5 tonne heavy vehicle trailers with VINs beginning with 1JW100 are the subject of a current national voluntary recall,” he said.
“Non-compliance includes low exterior lighting visibility; rear bumper mounted too high; king pin and skid plate may not have required markings; and the braking system may not be the correct configuration.”
There are also concerns that Australian RV Gooseneck trailers under 4.5 tonnes (commencing with the same VIN 1JW100) may have similar safety issues.
“Fair Trading is also issuing a warning about the Hijacker fifth wheel assembly hitches as James Kaufmann has not provided Roads and Maritime Services with any evidence that these products are compliant with Australian Design Rules,” he said.
“These problems pose a significant danger to the vehicle operator as well as other road users and need to be addressed immediately.”
Owners of any of these products bought from the aforementioned companies are encouraged to have their vehicles inspected immediately.
“Affected consumers should contact James Kaufmann who now trades under RV Specialists Pty Ltd and Summer Life RV Pty Ltd on 02 4954 6652 to remedy the problem,” he said.
NOTE: Photo of Summer Lite RV fifth wheeler is for illustration purposes only.



18 Replies

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  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Sep 11, 2014
    RobertRyan wrote:
    laknox wrote:
    Robert, why do you post here? Looks like you can get all the abuse you want back home? :-) Seriously, though, I like the fact that Australia is regulating at least =some= of the RV industry, but IMO, it's looking for issues where there aren't really to be found. If a manufacturer sells a product in the U.S. (or elsewhere), and can point to literally decades of safe use here, why isn't is just a formality to be able to have it "certified" over there and forego a bunch of "testing". Or is it more a case of gov't drones needing something to justify their existence/jobs?

    Lyle

    More different uses, different country, Real problems appeared with US 5 vers When people dragged them over terrain that people would wince at in the US, but thought of as normal here
    You had suspensions collapsing etc. Now a few local builders have made 5vers, that can take that sort of abuse


    Maybe they should start thinking export! :-)

    Lyle
  • RobertRyan's avatar
    RobertRyan
    Explorer
    Sep 10, 2014
    laknox wrote:
    Robert, why do you post here? Looks like you can get all the abuse you want back home? :-) Seriously, though, I like the fact that Australia is regulating at least =some= of the RV industry, but IMO, it's looking for issues where there aren't really to be found. If a manufacturer sells a product in the U.S. (or elsewhere), and can point to literally decades of safe use here, why isn't is just a formality to be able to have it "certified" over there and forego a bunch of "testing". Or is it more a case of gov't drones needing something to justify their existence/jobs?

    Lyle

    More different uses, different country, Real problems appeared with US 5 vers When people dragged them over terrain that people would wince at in the US, but thought of as normal here
    You had suspensions collapsing etc. Now a few local builders have made 5vers, that can take that sort of abuse
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Sep 09, 2014
    Robert, why do you post here? Looks like you can get all the abuse you want back home? :-) Seriously, though, I like the fact that Australia is regulating at least =some= of the RV industry, but IMO, it's looking for issues where there aren't really to be found. If a manufacturer sells a product in the U.S. (or elsewhere), and can point to literally decades of safe use here, why isn't is just a formality to be able to have it "certified" over there and forego a bunch of "testing". Or is it more a case of gov't drones needing something to justify their existence/jobs?

    Lyle
  • RobertRyan's avatar
    RobertRyan
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2014
    laknox wrote:
    RobertRyan wrote:
    laknox wrote:
    And there have been how many problems caused by these issues? Dumb that they were sold that way, but, I agree, protectionism seems to be more the case than anything.

    Lyle

    Nothing to with protectionism, I found out after making the post an Expatriate English PIA who has been making complaints to the Government Authorities about US 5vers. On the Caravanners Forum, he was asked to give examples of problems he knew about. He then became abusive and said he would not post replies. He has problems with Australian Caravans as well, strangely none with many English companies. He is a serial pest with unfortunately some industry connections
    If I known he was behind the news story I would not have made the initial post


    He's a TROLL, as opposed to a troll. :-)

    From

    Lyle


    From Caravanners Forum, he made the initial post in this thread
    Trolling about 5th Wheelers
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Sep 09, 2014
    RobertRyan wrote:
    laknox wrote:
    And there have been how many problems caused by these issues? Dumb that they were sold that way, but, I agree, protectionism seems to be more the case than anything.

    Lyle

    Nothing to with protectionism, I found out after making the post an Expatriate English PIA who has been making complaints to the Government Authorities about US 5vers. On the Caravanners Forum, he was asked to give examples of problems he knew about. He then became abusive and said he would not post replies. He has problems with Australian Caravans as well, strangely none with many English companies. He is a serial pest with unfortunately some industry connections
    If I known he was behind the news story I would not have made the initial post


    He's a TROLL, as opposed to a troll. :-)

    Lyle
  • RobertRyan's avatar
    RobertRyan
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2014
    laknox wrote:
    And there have been how many problems caused by these issues? Dumb that they were sold that way, but, I agree, protectionism seems to be more the case than anything.

    Lyle

    Nothing to with protectionism, I found out after making the post an Expatriate English PIA who has been making complaints to the Government Authorities about US 5vers. On the Caravanners Forum, he was asked to give examples of problems he knew about. He then became abusive and said he would not post replies. He has problems with Australian Caravans as well, strangely none with many English companies. He is a serial pest with unfortunately some industry connections
    If I known he was behind the news story I would not have made the initial post
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Sep 09, 2014
    And there have been how many problems caused by these issues? Dumb that they were sold that way, but, I agree, protectionism seems to be more the case than anything.

    Lyle

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