Lemon Travel Trailers in Australia

[RobertRyan]

It seems to be the Chinese and the few US operations have been targeted by this new law.
Locally made RV's have about 20% attracting criticism and will be hit by enforced Lemon laws

Peak body welcomes tougher RV import and manufacturing laws
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia has welcomed the introduction of the new Road Vehicle Standards Act (RVSA), which will help remove “rogue manufacturers off our roads” and encourage a “level playing field" for the Australian RV industry.

“The Caravan industry had been working really hard over the last five years to lobby government in Canberra,” CIAA chairperson Grant Wickens said. “It gives us a level playing field between local manufacturers and importers, it’s great for our consumers, it means safety standards are lifted, and it actually takes those rogue manufacturers off our roads."
The Federal Department will also have increased powers which include removing approval to supply to market, fines, or the issuing of a recall (which includes for non-safety related matters);

“Australians will be better protected through the strengthening of the laws governing all vehicles, including trailers in the Australian market through the Act,” CIAA CEO Stuart Lamont said. “Increased powers for the Government to bring penalty on businesses doing the wrong thing are also welcomed.

“When the RVSA takes effect those purchasing caravanning product can have even greater confidence in terms of safety, environmental and anti-theft performance of all vehicles (including trailers) entering the Australian market for the first time - whether new or used,” he said.

Lamont said the new legislation will also see better identification of caravans and a consistent approach to both locally manufactured and imported product.

“One caravan accident is one caravan accident too many, and the more steps we can put in place to provide better outcomes for Australian caravanners the better," he said.

"Industry businesses who consistently ignore their obligations under Australian Design Rules should not be supplying product to the market, and they are put on notice of increased scrutiny against any such practices.


Replacing the 1989 Motor Vehicle Standards Act, the new laws will come into effect late-2019 and have implications for many RV manufacturers and importers.

For example, businesses selling more than four units under 4500kg annually will be required to obtain an approval from the Federal Government, and all products manufactured or imported will be required to be logged onto a Register of Approved Vehicles (an electronic database).

[jfkmk]

Once again, out of curiosity, I did a couple of searches. Firs, I did a search on Australian rvs. The rvs set up for the outback sure have a beefy look, but looking like something out of Mad Max, I don’t think it’s something I’d want to pull around.

Then I searched for Australian made rv problems. Seems like the Australian made trailers have as many, if not more, issues than American made trailers. There is plenty iof informaion regarding Australian made rvs with major issues, including safety issues. Note, this isn’t information on imported rvs from China or the USA, nor is it informaition on imported components. It is information on unsafe Austrailian made rvs.

[RobertRyan]

GrandpaKip wrote:
Curious as to what the law will specifically cover. I would assume the suspension and frame. Maybe the box and roof. Electric and plumbing? Gas? Everything?
Also, what would constitute it being a lemon?
Seems like it could get real complicated real fast.

Think of it as being like purchasing a new Automobile. You would not be happy if the suspension lent to one side, doors did not close, paint was flaking?

[RobertRyan]

drsteve wrote:

Robert Ryan wrote:
I am not trying to convince someone in the US who does not have a clue why there was pressure by consumers for a Lemon RV law in Australia As the US has NO Lemon laws covering RV's
As a result buyers give Chinese sourced parts and RV's a wide berth. As the new laws states it is trying prevent injuries from faulty imported parts and RV's
As well buyers do not want ugly surprises as this new US Travel Trailers has, as it is not fit for purpose .Going by his comments he is not going to get much satisfaction from the dealer or manufacturer
Disastrous US Travel Trailer

The stuff shown in that video could be fixed with a handful of wood screws and a bottle of glue. Something like that won't fall under a lemon law, which generally requires the existence of major problems that the dealer or factory cannot or will not repair.

Different attitude to what would fall under a lemon law. The trailer as shown in the video would here . Would you be happy with that if it was a new Pickup or Car?

[GrandpaKip]

Curious as to what the law will specifically cover. I would assume the suspension and frame. Maybe the box and roof. Electric and plumbing? Gas? Everything?
Also, what would constitute it being a lemon?
Seems like it could get real complicated real fast.

[drsteve]

Robert Ryan wrote:
I am not trying to convince someone in the US who does not have a clue why there was pressure by consumers for a Lemon RV law in Australia As the US has NO Lemon laws covering RV's
As a result buyers give Chinese sourced parts and RV's a wide berth. As the new laws states it is trying prevent injuries from faulty imported parts and RV's
As well buyers do not want ugly surprises as this new US Travel Trailers has, as it is not fit for purpose .Going by his comments he is not going to get much satisfaction from the dealer or manufacturer
Disastrous US Travel Trailer

The stuff shown in that video could be fixed with a handful of wood screws and a bottle of glue. Something like that won't fall under a lemon law, which generally requires the existence of major problems that the dealer or factory cannot or will not repair.

[2112]

As I read through this, interesting read by the way, I kept thinking the common consensus on this site is we, as Americans, sacrifice quality for price. It's been said time after time if an RV manufacturer built a quality product it would be priced above the competition and many consumers would lean towards the lesser priced unit.

Given this, what is the retail price of a US import compared to a comparable Australian manufactured unit?
What is the average price of a well built, outback ready unit?

[RobertRyan]

valhalla360 wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
I am not trying to convince someone in the US who does not have a clue why there was pressure by consumers for a Lemon RV law in Australia As the US has NO Lemon laws covering RV's
As a result buyers give Chinese sourced parts and RV's a wide berth. As the new laws states it is trying prevent injuries from faulty imported parts and RV's
As well buyers do not want ugly surprises as this new US Travel Trailers has, as it is not fit for purpose .Going by his comments he is not going to get much satisfaction from the dealer or manufacturer
Disasterous New US Travel Trailer

Why post about it to a primarily US based site if you aren't trying to convince us?

You brought it up. We are just asking what evidence there is to support your point (which is clearly implied to be in support of the new law). So far you have made vague statements with no supporting data and posted pictures that do not support your assertion that there is an issue.

Give us some statistical evidence that there is a difference.

That would require a website. As you have lemon laws for Automibiles in the US, ( Do you have website that justifies the US Automotive Lemon Laws?)because of consumer complaints about Automobile quality it appears reasonable you should have Lemon law regards RV's in the US?.not hard to find evidence on line of some real clunkers, in the US It is about time you actually introduced a Lemon Law.It would hopefully make the few US RV's imported into Australia acceptable , my point in the previous post.

Lemon Laws being introduced in Australia are trying to address the Lemons that are being imported , mainly Chinese and US sourced imports and local manufacturers who do not toe the line

[valhalla360]

RobertRyan wrote:
I am not trying to convince someone in the US who does not have a clue why there was pressure by consumers for a Lemon RV law in Australia As the US has NO Lemon laws covering RV's
As a result buyers give Chinese sourced parts and RV's a wide berth. As the new laws states it is trying prevent injuries from faulty imported parts and RV's
As well buyers do not want ugly surprises as this new US Travel Trailers has, as it is not fit for purpose .Going by his comments he is not going to get much satisfaction from the dealer or manufacturer
Disasterous New US Travel Trailer

Why post about it to a primarily US based site if you aren't trying to convince us?

You brought it up. We are just asking what evidence there is to support your point (which is clearly implied to be in support of the new law). So far you have made vague statements with no supporting data and posted pictures that do not support your assertion that there is an issue.

Give us some statistical evidence that there is a difference.

[RobertRyan]

jfkmk wrote:
Your posts are making no sense.in your original post you state “Locally made RV's have about 20% attracting criticism and will be hit by enforced Lemon laws” then you admit Australia has no lemon laws (after being pointed out you you).

Then you post a nonsensical video of some buffoon towing a 26 ft trailer with a Chevy traverse that is having problems he should have noticed before he purchased the trailer.

Just what is the purpose of your posts?

There is going to be Lemon Laws. Federally and in some States as well. In Australia after much agitation by disgruntled RVers The Buffoon as you call him, has NO way of recouping his losses,or noticing hidden but fundamental flaws, why is there no similar legislation in the US already?. Warranties cannot be enforced in the US. So a case of the buyer beware.
If you had a Automotive Recall law in the US for RV's then maybe some of that crud would be weeded out before someone decides to import here.

[jfkmk]

Your posts are making no sense.in your original post you state “Locally made RV's have about 20% attracting criticism and will be hit by enforced Lemon laws” then you admit Australia has no lemon laws (after being pointed out you you).

Then you post a nonsensical video of some buffoon towing a 26 ft trailer with a Chevy traverse that is having problems he should have noticed before he purchased the trailer.

Just what is the purpose of your posts?

[RobertRyan]

valhalla360 wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:

No the photo is from the Australian Campertrailer manufacturers site. showing broken down ABANDONED Chinese built RV's ,parts have been scavenged They are a major problem. CamperTrailer manufacturers are going upmarket to make Hybrid CaravansAs a result of the dodgy Chinese imports those laws were passed, that is chow they addressed the problem

So a local manufacturer who would benefit from chasing off the competition shows pictures that in no way indicate why the trailers were abandoned...

And we are supposed to believe that it's unbiased and altruistic...not buying it.

Given a little time, I'm sure I can find pictures of brands you consider high quality in similar conditions if I took the time.

Again, so far no evidence has been provided that there is a statistically different level of quality and this has all the earmarks of protectionism.

I am not trying to convince someone in the US who does not have a clue why there was pressure by consumers for a Lemon RV law in Australia As the US has NO Lemon laws covering RV's
As a result buyers give Chinese sourced parts and RV's a wide berth. As the new laws states it is trying prevent injuries from faulty imported parts and RV's
As well buyers do not want ugly surprises as this new US Travel Trailers has, as it is not fit for purpose .Going by his comments he is not going to get much satisfaction from the dealer or manufacturer
Disasterous New US Travel Trailer

[RobertRyan]

jfkmk wrote:
Interesting. I was curious so I looked up Australian lemon laws, and according to qld.gov.au, there are no lemon laws. There is the Australian Consumer Law, but it sounds suspiciously like any typical warranty I’ve had on items purchased.

They are in the process of being developed see my intial post, as a result of many complaints.Much more than warranties, you get that on cars. This applies to manufacturers who have consistently ignored tbe warranties they are supposed to honor and if they " fix" the problem.it has not been addressed

[jfkmk]

Interesting. I was curious so I looked up Australian lemon laws, and according to qld.gov.au, there are no lemon laws. There is the Australian Consumer Law, but it sounds suspiciously like any typical warranty I’ve had on items purchased.

[valhalla360]

RobertRyan wrote:

No the photo is from the Australian Campertrailer manufacturers site. showing broken down ABANDONED Chinese built RV's ,parts have been scavenged They are a major problem. CamperTrailer manufacturers are going upmarket to make Hybrid CaravansAs a result of the dodgy Chinese imports those laws were passed, that is how they addressed the problem

So a local manufacturer who would benefit from chasing off the competition shows pictures that in no way indicate why the trailers were abandoned...

And we are supposed to believe that it's unbiased and altruistic...not buying it.

Given a little time, I'm sure I can find pictures of brands you consider high quality in similar conditions if I took the time.

Again, so far no evidence has been provided that there is a statistically different level of quality and this has all the earmarks of protectionism.

[RobertRyan]

dodge guy wrote:
I think its a great idea. The NHTSA involvement at the RV trailer level is low at best. Any country that starts to make safety in the RV industry better is doing good. Look at the frame failures, tire failures, and suspension brake failures that are out there and the manuf just laugh it off as if you are complaining about a mismatched color! My trailer had brake issues from day one. It took me 2 years to find out the magnets were junk. This should've been checked before it left the factory. Not too mention the frame failures that have been posted over the years!

Different attitude and response if you are referring to an Automobile, then recalls are the norm