Can your caravan harm you?

Can breathing the air inside your caravan or motorhome be damaging to your health?

The Australian importer of US-built Northstar slide-on campers is suggesting it could well do, warning visitors at the Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow of the potential dangers of recreational vehicles built using products with unsafe amounts of formaldehyde.

Commonly known as methanal, formaldeyde is a naturally-occurring organic compound used as a precursor in the production of industrial resins, building materials, plastics, insulation and textiles.

It’s been labeled a toxic substance that causes allergic reactions and has been linked to cancer and birth defects.

Since 2013 tough US regulations have limited formaldehyde use in wood products typically used in RVs, such as particle board, plywood and MDF, to 0.09 parts per million, but Northstar says it uses products well under this.

“You can breathe easier in a Northstar camper because we care about formaldehyde emissions,” the company says on its US website.

“We have chosen a premium underlayment paneling tested at only 0.02 parts per million formaldehyde emissions at a cost more than double other available panelings that have a much higher part per million concentration.

“Further protection is achieved by the use of safer eco-friendly stains and coatings which assist in locking in the emissions of formaldehyde from within the manufactured paneling.

“These processes aid to create an environment which causes little or no irritation to those with sensitive or allergic reactions to formaldehyde and a safer breathing atmosphere for all.”

While not pointing the finger at any other manufacturer Jeff Wickham of Kyabram, Victoria-based Jeffs Shed, the new Australian distributor for Northstar Campers, says it’s an issue that requires further investigation.

“It could be anywhere. I don’t know if it’s in the Australian product. Nobody has really addressed it before,” Wickham said.

“Some people buy their product in the US because of that reason. I reckon it’s something that should be looked into…”

He said the turning point for Northstar owner Rex Willet, was many years ago when his mother couldn’t take part in a family holiday because she broke out in a rash after exposure to a camper.

“It’s probably an issue here too, but nobody has brought it up or done anything about it. I think it’s probably unlikely (it’s an issue) but I don’t know,” Wickham said.

According to the Product Safety Australia website, there are two voluntary standards that relate to formaldehyde in wood-based products in Australia.

Australian-made particleboards and dry-processed fibreboards tested with less than 1pppm formaldehyde (the majority, according to PSA) are categorised as 'low-formaldehyde emission' products.

As well as spruiking its ‘clean’ manufacturing, Northstar was promoting two new Australian-spec models at the Melbourne Supershow, including the four-berth 700SC with extra high 6ft 6in body, which will be available in both hard and pop-top versions.

Sitting on the back of a Mazda BT-50 single cab ute, the well-equipped camper featured bunks that convert to storage or a lounge, as well as a double bed, kitchen and shower/toilet, for $42,990.

Northstar Australia is also bringing in a new, compact Vista model, that harks back to the original box camper built by Willet’s grandfather. With a Tare weight of just 580kg, the little fibreglass slide-on will include a small kitchen and dinette/bed for the $28,500 price.

With 11 models in the Northstar range, the Australian-compliant slide-on campers are designed to fit a range of popular single and dual-cab utes as well as larger American trucks and Australian car-based utes.

Jeffs Shed was previously a Victorian dealer for Northstar, before
taking over as the Australian importer last year. The company is in the
process of setting up a new dealer network in Australia and New Zealand.

Based in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Northstar Campers have been in the truck camper manufacturing business for the past 55 years and export around the world.