Caravan Roadworthiness

Hi Motherhen,

Here in NSW they are supposed to do a complete vehicle check just as they do for a car or truck.

This means suspension checks, tyre checks, chassis checks for fractures just as they would in a car, gas bottles securely fixed in place and able to withstand a rollover, lights and general state of the vehicle such that there is nothing to jag an innocent pedestrian walking by and rear bumper in case it could be just about to fall off and take out the vehicle behind.

These are the many things my inspection station checks and I think it is a cheap vehicle inspection and safety check for my personal well being as well. Good value in my opinion at around $30.00.

Cheers, Bruce.

Interestingly we only have to have a gas inspection on cylinders every 10 years and the vehicle has to be plated according to the appliances fitted therein.

I have never been asked for an electrical certificate and as we had to have the brothers imported motor home set up with 240 volts recently we got a certified electrician to do the work and he said that there was no certification certificate required in NSW.

We think that it will only be a matter of time.
From what I have read in many places some of the wiring coming out of some of the van manufacturers leaves a lot to be desired. I have heard many stories re a certain nationally known brand of van where the electrical installations have had to be stripped out and replaced. No names, no pack drill.

Cheers, Bruce.

No roadworthy inspection would see what is under the skin, and that is generally where all the problems lurk.

Mh

Thanks very much for the replies / follow ups and i will definately look further into it. I think the idea of getting it inspected prior to purchasing is a great idea so i will have a look around to see who local actually does it and knows their stuff.
I guess i was not expecting xray vision, just thought that they would have to atleast be inspected to ensure tyres, suspension, gas and electrical certificates... the basics i guess.
I have tracked down a branch of Vic roads where a guy is apparently right up with it so i will chase him up and forward any info along just incase anyone from Victoria is interested.

Cheers

Brendon

You know Motherhen, it is pretty crazy really, we are 22 million people in Australia.
This is the population of just one of many major international cities yet we have that many different sets of regulations, so many little fiefdoms so to speak, and nobody is going to let common sense ruin there little party.

Should be one set of rules right around the country so no one gets confused.

The other one that gets me is that they tell us we the biggest polluters per head of population. While that may be true, to run a country this size we virtually cannot help it. We are being conned so that they can hit us in the hip pocket so to speak. But tha'ts another story.

Cheers, Bruce.

Hi Bruce

State Government Departments seem to treat their counterparts in other states as hostile enemies. We are one country, so rules and regulations should be the same across the board. They have moved to uniform drivers licence classifications - but still they are state not federal licences. There has been some streamlining of road rules but not enough. With other transport matters it is pot luck what you get in your state; they are all different.

From me in the land of WA to you in that far distant land of NSW.

Motherhen

Hi Bruce,

I have bought many cars from NSW for the very reason they have to go over the pits every year to keep their rego so i am glad to hear that caravans need to meet the same minimum.
Atleast with Victoria cars, as long as the rego is paid, a car with one owner may never be inspected for roadworthiness in theory, its only if it is sold with registration that it needs to be certified.
I will have the facts soon enough but its still good to learn of other people experience so i go in with my eyes open.

Cheers

Mauler

Thanks for that Jayco,

I had been looking at several cruisers in Vic in the past with a view to buying one but now that you have given us a heads up on this subject I will be very wary in the future.

Cheers, bruce.

By the way welcome to EO, I see you joined up 2 days ago

Cheers Ray

Hi Ray,

Thanks for the welcome! I have been lurking on here for a few months trawling for info but recently decided to join due to the great support the site and its members gave.
My father in law had an old Viscount that they had used for years and it was looking a little tired so being a joiner by trade i stripped all the cupboard fronts and bench tops , put in new overlay flooring and generally dressed the old girl up with new laminates and fittings. They were absolutely rapt. My family and i went on a 3 week holiday 6 months later and when we got home they had sold it and bought a brand new one claiming that my work had gotten them a wonderful price.... just can't pick family can ya.
So i recently purchased an old viscount myself and was going to do the same thing only it was in an accident in transit. I had already called myself Viscount_Mauler based on the fact i was going to fix one up again but not to be. I am now looking to a Jayco campertrailer based on some very good advise received here so thought i better switch the name to make it relevant.
I look forward to spending alot more time on here, i have been reading through some of the blogs..... we just got back from tasmania but after reading some of the blogs from people who went we drove past everything!! It won't happen next time. There is so much to see it Australia and its so easy to drive right past something brilliant and not know!

Cheers

Brendon

I second that Jay.

You must hate your mum for calling you Jayco!!! And I would change my surname by deed poll if I were you mate. LOL LOL

Bruce

Sorry DW,
meant to put it in Rays post above.

Bruce.

Hi DW,

Thanks for the info and advise and rest assured i am checking with the relevant bodies, but i have found that it pays to do your homework before turning up to discuss rego etc with Vic Roads. The times i have waited 3 hours to be told i needed something else and then rejoin the cue still burns.
I am definately not looking for people to blame when i ask advise, its just quite often many people actually know the answer because they have been through the process, or can shed a little light on it atleast.

Thanks again

Mauler

Hi Bruce,

After many years in the trade and on construction sites, i pretty much answer to anything now. I was actually wondering whether i may find myself coming under fire through copyright (Jayco) when i become a famous and intrepid Oz Explorer........ Oh well, one problem at a time ;O) I maybe forced to change it to Forum_Mauler instead.

Cheers

Mauler

Hi Brendon, (Jayco)

An old plumber myself mate, know exactly what you mean about the building game. They take no prisoners there.

No mate, leave the forum in one piece we all need it, no mauling here. LOL

Cheers and welcome again,
Bruce.

Hi Pete,

Thanks alot for the info because that is pretty much all i could find myself. Basicaly a receipt and a signed declaration for the transfer of ownership. Atleast i know where that leaves me and its just a matter of being very thorough when checking them out.

Cheers

Brendon

Hi John,

Yep slip of the tongue that one, old habts die hard. It is the VicRoads site that i have been snuffling through not the Road Traffic Authority site. Thanks for making sure though ;O)

Cheers

Brendon

That's the shot Brendon, a first name.

Nobody bites here but if they do we put a muzzle on them, don't we folks. LOL

Cheers, Bruce.

Hi Bruce,

I am with you a first name is more personal than a nickname when signing off :-)

Cheers,
John