Proposed on-road inspections of caravans in N.S.W. from 2013

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

Visited the Batemans Bay Camping Show earlier in the month. Spoke to a caravan salesman about one of his vans, and he told me that from 2013, the NSW Roads and Maritime Service (formerly Roads and Traffic for those of other states) will be stopping vehicles towing caravans, in the current truck inspection stops, for the purpose of weighing and checking of the vans. To include inspection of the towing vehicles, break away brake system for over 2,000kg van weight, battery monitor installed in the towing vehicle, etc.

There have been a few previous inspections at random locations, but the salesman stated the inspections will become more intense. No exemptions for interstate drivers either.

One caravan owner I spoke to earlier this year stated he was stopped for an inspection, and passed the check-up, but most other van drivers were told to un-hitch their van, drive off and have the required equipment fitted, then return for another inspection and collect their van.

Anyone else heard of this proposal?

Yowie.

[Dusty74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dusty74]

No, but it's about time. Shouldn't be any reason all vehicles towing something to be checked. Some of the cars and particularly 4wd's you see up here that are dragging their asses due to overloading is unbelievable. Not just grey nomads, but all types touring or heading to the cape.

Just my opinion of course!

Cheers,
Dusty

[rvator2 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rvator2]

I welcome the inspections and about time to.

As a regular caravanner, many rigs are overloaded and need to be checked for the general public's safety.

Some vehicle manufacturers are grossly overstating what the tug can SAFELY tow.

Tail wagging the dog.......comes to mind.

Bring it on !!!!!!

Cheers,

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

I get most of the inspection items but battery monitor?

[geograzza Member Find all posts View Profile Close geograzza]

I get most of the inspection items but battery monitor?

Vans over 2t have to have breakaway brakes that will hold on for 15 minutes. That means the battery on the van must have sufficient oomph to be able to do that,so the tow vehicle should be able to monitor the condition of the van's battery.

[A10 Member Find all posts View Profile Close A10]

Vans over 2t have to have breakaway brakes that will hold on for 15 minutes. That means the battery on the van must have sufficient oomph to be able to do that,so the tow vehicle should be able to monitor the condition of the van's battery.

Doesn't this only apply to vans registered in NSW.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I get most of the inspection items but battery monitor?

I thought the same thing WTF do you need a battery monitor for?

Only thing that i can think of is if your breakaway brakes are electric and need a power source from the van? Not familar with breakaways on caravans; only trucks. Truck breakaways work in such a way that input (air) from the truck is needed to release the brakes, once the air is removed brakes come on and I thought vans would have a similar system, although obviously not air brakes.

Otherwise sounds like a reasonable plan.

Cheers Andrew

[SOL Find all posts View Profile Close SOL]

I think with the electric brakes it is backwards The pads are in the open position when at rest and need the electricity to actuate the cam to work the brakes. So when you hook the van up you hook a separate cable to the van that has a pin in an switch that gets pulled out on the trailer side that opens the electrical circuit to lock the brakes. If it disengages from the towing vehicle. Hope this make sense. It does suck when the cable gets knocked out accedently and your trailer pulls you to an unexpected stop.

SOL.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Any electric trailer brakes I have been around use the power from the vehicle to actuate the brakes, otherwise once you disconect a trailer that has electric brakes but no on board power supply how do you shift it? I fitted electric brakes to a mates camper a while back and thats certainly how they worked.

With breakaways and large vans maybe they do work the opposit way.

Cheers Andrew

[SOL Find all posts View Profile Close SOL]

AJ120, Sorry forgot to put in that the trailer is fitted with a battery for the purpose of activating the brakes once the emergency pin is pulled. That is why they are claiming that a battery monitor for the trailer is required. Depending how your trailer is set up their might not be any charging device for the emergency brake system.

SOL.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

double post

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

I have been around a lot of trailers with breakaway brakes and never seen a battery monitor...

[SOL Find all posts View Profile Close SOL]

This will impact a lot of people. Like trailer hire organisations. Having to install a battery monitor in the tow vehicle when you have hired a trailer for the weekend or something would be a major pain in the arse. If this is for all trailer over the 2000kg mark. I know I have hired car trailers with electric back up braking system. If I needed a monitor installed to do it I would not be doing it.

SOL.

[Lakers Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Lakers]

Hi guys, this refers to the situation in NSW...

http://rvelectronics.com.au/image/da...ICK%20HERE.pdf

Although powered breakaway brakes are required in WA for trailers/caravans with a GTM >2000kg, it is not a requirement that a remote monitor be installed in the tow vehicle.... yet.

Cheers
Greg

[Lakers Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Lakers]

And more, with a description of how this sucker works...

http://rvelectronics.com.au/index.ph...&product_id=54

Cheers
Greg