Why RVIA Sticker?

[RMIGHTY1]

Browsing through MH dealerships for a new class A motorhome, I came across an RVIA sticker as an option. I usually have to beat up the dealer to keep their advertising sticker off my new vehicle. Why would I pay for an RVIA sticker and how much should they sell for? Thank you!

[JaxDad]

Francesca Knowles wrote:

AprilWhine wrote:
Recreational Vehicle Industry of America

The RVIA sticker shows your RV was built to industry standards and has passed certification. Some RV parks restrict home built RVs like skoolies on the basis of them not having an RVIA sticker.

That's the "Underwriter's Laboratory" of RV's; you can't import a new/near new RV into Canada without that certification, either.

But making the sticker an "option"-? T'other "option" listed there is a "State Seal". Huh????

One would think that BOTH should be applied as part of the manufacturing process.

I doubt someone buying that unit to use in say Australia or Europe would care about or want to pay for an RVIA sticker or a State Seal that someone in the US would require.

Ditto if the unit is being imported to Canada, the CSA Z-240 seal is the only one that matters as far as safety compliance.

[Ex-Tech]

People that think they know it all, irritate people like us that do! :B

[WayneLee]

I'm getting a little confused here. The "manufacturer" joined RVIA and paid the necessary fees. The "manufacturer" would include this cost in the wholesale cost of the unit to the dealer.

So, where does the option come from at the dealer level. The "manufacturer" has already paid the RVIA, the dealer has already purchased the unit. All the fees have been paid, but a consumer now has a choice of paying the fee or not?? Sounds like a ripoff to me?

[JaxDad]

Passin Thru wrote:
Next thing you'll get a sticker so your kid can carry a Raggedy Ann."Is that doll certified you little brat? WELL, Hand it over.And to think Jaxdad isn't even a moderator. Boy, I'd hate to say AYE on here right now! LOL

If I'm not mistaken the State of Virginia requires a State Inspection sticker on EVERY motor vehicle?

Why the animosity towards Canadians for requiring safety inspections also?

[2Bargos]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
but I'll bet that the state seal is mandatory otherwise you could probably not get a license for your coach. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Its mandatory in Ky,no state seal no tags.I have purchased a couple of units out of state and it burns me to have to pay someone $50 to walk thru my unit and put a sticker on the side of it.

[Passin_Thru]

Next thing you'll get a sticker so your kid can carry a Raggedy Ann."Is that doll certified you little brat? WELL, Hand it over.And to think Jaxdad isn't even a moderator. Boy, I'd hate to say AYE on here right now! LOL

[RayChez]

I think all motorhomes have the RVIA. I still have it on my coach. It is no big deal to have three pages on this forum about it. GEEZ!

[tatest]

You pay for the RVIA sticker whether or not it is listed as an "option" because the manufacturer has to pay the RVIA and it is part of manufacturing cost.

If the manufacturer is listing the cost of the sticker in the build sheet or the price list, that's just an information choice made by the manufacturer, it is not likely that you can buy the RV without the sticker, because a RVIA member manufacturer usually does not have an option to leave off the certification. In some cases, RVIA members can choose not to certify export models.

But you could buy an RV from a non-member. I think a few of the smaller direct-sales manufacturers (LazyDaze maybe?) have resisted RVIA membership.

If the dealer has listed RVIA sticker as a dealer add-on, the dealer is just trying to get a few extra dollars.

[JaxDad]

dezolen wrote:
So JaxDad,
Does this imply that every RV sold in the USA is unsafe?
BS.
from a Canadian that has imported a non CSA stickered rv to Canada.
It's just another falsehood some Canadian Dealers use to jack prices up and scare us into paying inflated prices.

I'm sorry if quoting Ontario law offends you. Please post your information to the contrary, or that a dealer has hacked an Ontario government site and posted false information.

It seems your "imported a non CSA stickered" statement is analogous to saying "I was speeding yesterday and I didn't get a ticket. Therefore the posted speed limit must be false."

Further,, how in the world did we get from 'it's not legal in Ontario' to 'it's not safe anywhere in the US'? So then by that logic because a particular car is legally required to have Daytime Running Lights in Canada mean that vehicle is unsafe anywhere DRL's are NOT required? Of course not.

Different jurisdictions set different laws, the weight at which a trailer needs brakes, speeed limits, etc., etc.

Let's not mix emotions with facts.

[super_camper]

diveman52 wrote:
RIVA is a joke but some insurance company will want it.
It's supposed to show that the RV was built to some non existent standard.

Do you know this for a fact or do you just think it's true?

I looked long and hard at this when I priced insurance and found no such thing!

[dezolen]

Pulled by Author. No need to upset anyone

[dougrainer]

wildmanbaker wrote:
In Washington State, the RVIA label is required for a new RV. It is like a house inspection that says it meets minimum standards for electrical, water, safety, building standards, etc. I think the factory takes care of the RVIA certifications. If it does not have the RVIA label, you may have trouble titling the MH in your state.

Titling a motorhome in the USA has NO relationship to quality of build or certifications on a Motorized/Towable vehicle. The Gov. plain does not care and has no way to verify. Now, if IMPORTING from another country, that may change things. Doug

[JaxDad]

Sooboy wrote:

Francesca Knowles wrote:
That's the "Underwriter's Laboratory" of RV's; you can't import a new/near new RV into Canada without that certification, either.

That's completely false. There is no requirement for the sticker when importing an RV from the US into Canada. Provided you follow the importation process as set-out by RIV, importation is a breeze and has nothing to do with RVIA.

Actually, there is. The RIV only covers Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, there's several other laws that apply.

One such myth is that Canadian RV dealers refuse to work on imported US units as a way to 'protect their turf'. In fact (as an example) it's illegal for a dealer to work on a unit that isn't certified to CSA Z-240 standards.

It works like this; in Ontario someone who works on certain types of systems (including plumbing, heating, propane, natural gas and electricity) are required to be registered and licensed with the TSSA so does the company they work for. This NOT optional.

The part of that process that applies to this matter is the "RV.1" and "RV.2" designation. The regulation that sets out the scope of what they are permitted to do states it "applies to Z240 appliances only".

Therefore an Ontario RV tech, and the company they work for, are only legally allowed to work on those vehicles certified as Z-240 compliant.

Here's a link to the TSSA bulletin from their site explaining it. Clickey.

[wildmanbaker]

In Washington State, the RVIA label is required for a new RV. It is like a house inspection that says it meets minimum standards for electrical, water, safety, building standards, etc. I think the factory takes care of the RVIA certifications. If it does not have the RVIA label, you may have trouble titling the MH in your state.