Buyer beware warning for first-time caravanners

First-time caravan buyers are being urged to "do their homework", as complaints about dodgy caravan builds continue to taint the industry.

Colin Young from the Caravan Council of Australia said last year's extended factory lockdowns was a good opportunity for many local RV manufacturers to fully appraise their business practices and rectify any engineering, build quality and consumer law related issues.

"Unfortunately, this has not been the case with all manufacturers, as the CCA has been advised of numerous instances where defects have been found on new caravans that have been manufactured over just the past few months," Young claimed.  

While he said many of the complaints related to well-known industry problems, there were a number of new "excuses" provided to disgruntled customers including the need to hire new and inexperienced employees and "trouble obtaining the usual components".

Another excuse was that the manufacturer had "been flat-out getting up to speed with the new (Road Vehicle Standards Act) regulations (to be introduced July this year)".

However, Young warned that the tougher new rules applicable to RV manufacturers and importers "will not guarantee that all future caravans will be fully-compliant".

"The new safety and quality regulations will not apply to all manufacturers and importers," he said.

"This is of serious concern as some companies that produce caravans in small numbers will be exempt from having to meet the requirements of the new laws."

Young said he'd received on average around 100 phone calls or emails a week over the past six months, with around 90 per cent of those from "unhappy campers" complaining about a caravan purchase.

"Around 50 per cent of complaints concern current manufacturers, with around 20 per cent being new brands, and the rest (were) not named, despite my assuring the callers that everything is in strict confidence," he said.  

"With threats of malicious defamation suits as a result of 'naming and shaming' on social media, clearly there is a serious concern by owners of defective 'vans from taking any action against the supplier or manufacturer," he said.

Young said that incorrect or misleading trailer plate mass ratings remain the "biggest industry problem by far", with other common problems relating to non-compliant gas and electrical fittings, a low towball mass leading to "dangerous handling", and incomplete or incorrect information on the tyre placard.

Other complaints revolved around "poor quality" construction and workmanship including "severe water leaks... squeaks and noticeable floor flexing when walking inside the 'van... wires and tubing hoses not properly secured and protected" and the use of "cheap, low quality components".

Young claimed some manufacturers and dealers continue to flout consumer protection laws, including a "refusal by suppliers to acknowledge and rectify defects, even those that are deemed to be major failures".

Pressure tactics from "pushy and overbearing" salespeople was another common complaint.

"It is vital that potential buyers do their homework thoroughly, before deciding on a particular make and model, rather than being persuaded by a salesperson to buy a better or higher priced caravan which may or may not live up to the promises made," he warned.

"(Buyers) must decide beforehand, precisely what type of caravan they really need that will suit their intended travel plans, and what they can afford.  

"Many (disgruntled) buyers are awfully upset and embarrassed that they did not do their homework properly."

The CCA has a number of pre-purchase checklists available for free online.

Related:

RV Master Manufacturer program launched

Caravan consumer complaints continue