Failure of brand new Camper Trailer

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All vehicles have national design rules, trailers included. I would strongly suggest you persist with Qld transport and don't touch the trailer until then.

At least one of the problems you listed is an ADR violation (the gas bottle).

Would really like to see some pics. If you like, you can e-mail them to me and I'll post them here.

I thought point number 4. was a requirement in Qld?? See page 3 on this PDF form:

http://www.support.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/formsdat.nsf/qtforms/QF3970/

Andrew

What exactly is light off road?
Was it made in China crap?

The local member can take up the issue with Queensland Transport. If not there is always the "today tonight" "current affairs" that would take up the cause.

Regards

Mark

Test.

Saharaman
While I really feel for your friend it is another case of shonks ripping people off.

Item 1. You say thats not illigal in Qld.?

Item 2. Is illegal. Cast couplings should NEVER be welded, only bolted. That is against NSW regulations, manufacturers reccomendations etc, who knows about Qld?

Item 3 is illegal. They should not stick out beyond the trailer. As staed before.

Item 4 In NSW if a trailer has to be re registered it must go for a green slip. That is an engineers or registered inspection station

Item 5. Surely if it has recently been modified from original it MUST have a compliance plate, or it is unroadworthy?????

While a call to Fair Trading was fruitless it only costs a few $ (35-40) to lodge a formal complaint, then they HAVE TO act on his behalf, instead if an overworked clerk dismissing the issue out of hand.

They said the same thing to me some years back re a car my daughter had problems with, when it got to the small caims trib. the commisinor ruled in our favour and we got 85% of our money back. Get together as much info and repair quotes etc as you can to support your claim. Know exactly how much you are out of pocket due to this and have dockets and quotes to PROVE it.
Go For It, all you have to lose is a few dollars.
Colin.

looks like the guy who put this together needs shooting
the a frame should not be welded on the top face where it meets the box section of the trailer only underneath to the chassis to rigid not enough flex hence the cracking

Image Could Not Be FoundTo be truthful I wouldn't even use 2mm for a A-frame. This is a picture of my current camper construction and the whole chasiss is of 2.5mm and not a weld across any horizontal. Barnray

Out of curiosity ask your mate how much weight did he have either side of the fatigue points or cracks and was it within the trailer manufacturers specs. Barnray

2 inches from the crack we have a weld in the photo of the damaged trailer this weld should not be there .weld underneath to the chassis but not ot the top join to box / storage section

Hi Glen, and I thought my camper was cramp (it was, sold now). I bought my'n new from interstate and had a lot of problems. Trailer was already rusting, tears in the canvas (2 places) rusted poles, ply under bed water stained, weld splatter everywhere, tyres sticking out past guards, number plate light on right hand side (part of tail light) was suppose to light up plate mounted in the middle of tailgate (got to be joking) bent jerry can holders on side, paint was that thin you could see through it (hence the rust), Different tyres, tow hitch not staright, missing holes for the awning supports, the list went on. I had huge drama's and a lot harder when dealing with interstate. I couldnt even get it registered due to the tyres sticking out. If I was you I would find out the exact rules and regs in your state and use that eg gas bottle, no plate. I got a full replacement in the end but he had a licence to issue the plate so I had him for that (tyres) and the number plate light as he issued a slip on some thing that was illegal. That was after I threatened him that I was going to hook it up to the hilux and run it through his plate glass window hilux and camper (was very Pi ssed off by this time) also told him I would sit at the caravan/camping show up on a flat bed truck with his brand name plastered all over it advertising a piece of crap. The replacement was 85% better but trailer was starting to rust again after 8 months. Had to sand it fully down and prep,prime and spray to sell more $$$. Was told on here they were a piece of crap (after I had bought it) how right they were.Pays to ask first. Was exactly 12 months old when I sold it. Lost $1600, ah well we learn by our mistakes. All the best. Keep us informed on how you go. Regards Steve M

agreed 1.5 mm is good for a 6x4 box trailer but without this weld it would have lasted a lot longer! my min is 2.5 for any trailer draw bar

There is a national standard for building trailers. It is VSB-1. Section 12 gives the required strength for the drawbar:

12.1 Drawbars
The drawbars must be securely attached to a substantial portion of the trailer.
The drawbars must withstand the following forces applied at the centreline of the intended coupling without detachment or any distortion or failure which will affect the safe drawing of the towed trailer:

Longitudinal tension and compression (N) .............................. 1.5 x 9.81 x ATM (kg)
Transverse thrust (N) .............................................................. 0.5 x 9.81 x ATM (kg)
Vertical tension and compression for rigid drawbar trailer (N) 0.5 x 9.81 x ATM (kg)

The builder should produce the calculations from a qualified engineer that his work will meet this standard.

PeterD

If your mate is Happy with the rest of the trailer as it is ,I could probably fix the problem at my place by adding strenghtening sections. I have built 40 odd trailers privately and live on the South side of Brisbane. If you just want it fixed I would be happy to have a look at it Mobile 0438 602533 .It would be a Sunday Job on the quite probably for a Carton of Beer once we have a good look at it . I dont want to get involved in the commercial side of the problem so if there are other issues with the trailer then I cant help out.

This is from a publication on the ACCC website:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

• The goods must be of merchantable quality.
This means that they must meet a basic level
of quality and performance that would be
reasonable to expect, considering their price
and the manner in which they are described
(ss. 71(1) and 66(2)).
For example, a shoe should not lose a
heel the fi rst time it is worn, and a new car
should not have rust. However, a loose
door handle on a car may not make the car
unmerchantable.
• The goods must be fi t for their purpose.
This means that they must be suitable for
any particular purpose the consumer made
known to the supplier when negotiating or
arranging to buy them, or a purpose that is
obvious from the circumstances in which the
sale took place (s. 71(2)).
For example, if a consumer tells sales staff
that they are buying tiles for an outdoor patio
and less durable indoor tiles are supplied,
the goods may not be fi t for their purpose.
6
• Goods that are supplied by description or
sample must correspond with the description
or sample (ss. 70 and 72).
For example, any carpet laid must be the
same quality and colour as the sample the
consumer chose from.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

This is a sample letter from the same site:

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
Example letter: requesting a refund
Bill Citizen
1 My Street
My town State 0123
(Ph 01 2345 6789
and email myname@mailhome.com.au)

Today's date

Ms Jill Smith (Manager)
Big Fizz Appliance Company
Commerce Street
Market City 9876

Dear Ms Smith

BIG FIZZ SOFT DRINK FOUNTAIN—Leaking Storage Tank

On 16 December 2007 I purchased a Big Fizz Soft Drink Fountain for $79.95 from your Market City store. I have enclosed a copy of my receipt for your information.

When I returned home and unpacked the Big Fizz Soft Drink Fountain I found that the main storage tank leaked and the appliance did not work properly. I returned to the Market City store and the sales assistant (Robert Rogers) told me that you no longer stocked the Big Fizz Soft Drink Fountain, but for an additional $29.90 I could upgrade to the Mega Fizz Refreshment Dispenser.

I explained to the sales assistant that I didn’t want the extra expense of upgrading to the Mega Fizz Refreshment Dispenser and would prefer to get a refund for the faulty unit I had purchased. He told me that it was not company policy to give refunds.

I believe that it is within my rights to request a refund for a faulty product and I would like to return the appliance to your Market City store for a full refund of the purchase price. Please contact me within the next two weeks to arrange a convenient time for me to return the appliance and collect my refund.

I can be contacted at home on the phone number above or at (01) 9876 5432 during business hours. I look forward to hearing from you if you wish to discuss this further.

Yours sincerely


W. Citizen

Enclosed: Copy of the receipt for the Big Fizz Soft Drink Fountain

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Tell your friend to go to the site and understand his rights. Then list the faults and qoute the standards that apply to the manufacture of trailers and then show how the trailer does not comply with those standards. Take the trailer back with the letter.
He'll get his refund!
If they are still 'difficult', sue them. From the facts you have given, he'll win.

Happy days

George

Did we after all this find out how built this thing. What give's me the !!!! I have a great Camper Trailer for sale on this site at I believe is bloody cheap and people dont want to look at it and probably go out and pay lots more for a piece of bleep .

Cheers Bruce