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Review of Caravans Plus Service
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This is part of a series of articles on building or rebuilding a caravan. You can find the whole series here: Ever Wanted To Build or Rebuild a Caravan?
The surprising thing here is that anyone can build a caravan, legally, without any qualifications. Sounds strange but it's true.
What you will need to do though is follow some rules, or you will never get it registered, and you will never get effective insurance.
The insurance bit is important to know up front. The insurance company will accept your premium no questions, but if there is a claim - that's when they check your project ticks all the regulations.
Strangely you do not need an engineer certificate for the chassis or the completed caravan. This doesn't mean you can just slap something together and get it registered.
UPDATE July 2023: From July 2023 all new trailer builds must be approved through ROVER (ROad VEhicle Regulator). Before the trailer can be registered with your state registration authority, it must first be approved on ROVER and entered onto the RAV (Register of Approved Vehicles). See our additional guide below:
There are trailer building guidelines (a caravan is considered a trailer) that you can download free from the internet from the state or national body. These specify maximum dimensions, overhangs, position of external lights etc.
These rules are checked when you get your caravan registered for the first time.
During the registration process you will be issued a VIN number. This will also record the ATM, GVM and Tare weight. You will need to add this plate in a secure location with non-removable fasteners.
In addition, for your first registration you will need a 'Gas Compliance Plate' attached to the front of the caravan. On the A-frame or in the front boot. This is issued by a registered gas fitter, and confirms that the gas installation conforms to the national rules.
This is officially a large set of rules, with amendments on amendments and is best left to a gas fitter. However we have already created an article that puts in plain English and covers 99% of relevant circumstances for caravan builders. This is very useful in the design stage, as you don't want to plan on something only to have it disallowed later.
While each gas fitter may be less or more flexible, on any caravans I've built over the years, I have followed the process below:
I have worked like an apprentice would have. This may not be possible with all gas fitters, and they may insist on doing all the work.
In either case, we are able to supply all components at a very competitive price, and we carry the range in stock, at all times.
For registration they do NOT require certification.
However this does not take away your responsibility to have the 240v installation carried out be a licensed electrician. There is actually a surprisingly small amount of 240v in a caravan.
We do have a guide that covers traditional 240v installations, however it is only partially relevant for new installations. New installations have only 12v lights
We even have a plug and connect 240volt power solution that makes even less work for an electrician.
While this is covered in the Trailer Design rules, it is pointed out separately here to bring to your attention that States differ in their requirements.
Previously (2007 -2016) it was mandatory in NSW to have a remote monitor for the Breakaway System. Now the remote monitor is only a recommendation by Transport NSW.
Very happy
We ordered some edge trim to replace the old discoloured trim on our Jayco Destiny. They had the item we were after at a good price. The order was handled and posted quickly. I thought the postage cost was a bit high, but that was an Australia Post issue out of their control. I would be happy to order from them again. I can see no reason to not recommend them. Happy customer, will be back. As I ordered a length that was 2.1 metres short, I ordered a second length and it was handled the same, quickly and hassle free. Communication was good also. Robert.
Great product range. Very competitively priced. So good to be able to do same day pick-up. I have now bought several items from this store, and am very happy with all the items and their prices.
5 Comments
John
Would be good to update the article - NSW no longer requires a breakaway battery monitor in tow vehicle.
Steve - CaravansPlus
Hi John. Thanks, you are correct. I have updated the article now.
Christopher
Something I discovered in NSW. (1) If I was to modify or rebuild an existing van I would require engineering certificates for registration(blue slip) (2) W
Christopher
(2) When doing blue slip, receipts for just about everything were required. Check with those doing the blue slip well before presenting the finished van. May pay to "shop" around.
Paul
Hi Everyone, I am in the finishing stages of renovating what I think is a late 1960's Franklin caravan and am heading towards registering it, I thought this would be a relatively easy process and am encountering just how tricky this can be without a compliance plate and or welded chassis numbers. I could really do with some assistance in navigating this process. After visiting a local mechanic who Blue Slips (NSW) he gave me the run down on how tricky this could be, I then went to Services NSW and was informed about how there is really not much info on their systems due to the updates over the decades and that I would need a TR Number. I found my beauty in a paddock near Nimbin, it has no papers, rego plate or other identifying marks that show its origin or series, in fact I'm not even sure of the make and year of it to be honest. I've spent quite a pretty penny doing her up and obviously I would like her to be legal for the roads. I haven't yet read the threads but I'm hoping that someone can assist and give me a basic run down on how to get this over the line, any help would be very much appreciated and I'm keen to join the fraternity of vintage and retro van lovers who tow around this great country of ours. Thanks in advance 🙂