camper trailer build legalities !

[rockman]

After nearly finishing my own camper trailer build , coming time to get it registered , building it yourself means you are the manufacturer , means you assume life-time liability of that trailer .
With my own build , we went over the top with the heaviest axle , the biggest bearings , the biggest brakes ,, heavy steel rims  big hitch , just to overcome anything that might go wrong .

With the lifetime liability , is it only me that finds it a bit daunting ?.

Be interesting to hear what other people think .

Cheers

[cucinadio]

mate depending on your state, i wouldn't be too worried about it .... couldn't be as bad as some of the chines mods getting about out there.... mine is strong, good strong welding, aussie steel and use the AS regs to guide and you'll be fine .....

cheerrs

[Matto]

Hi Rockman,

I suspect this may be the new legislation that JT was talking to me about a while ago. Basically the government (don't know whether federal or state) was getting fed up with cheap imported trailers and trailers being made by a Fred In A Shed with no clue. So they slapped this rule in, to get around people building/importing obviously dodgy stuff and slapping a "30 day warranty - she'll be right mate" on it.

The other thing that springs to mind is around ensuring safety on the road. IE, when a car manufacturer brings out a new model, it must be tested to pass all ADR's, crash tested, swerve tested, etc. Obviously that costs a lot of money, and trailers would all cost $30k for a 6x4 box if they were subjected to the same rules. So maybe this is a way to try to preserve good roadworthyness without the overhead of a formal testing scheme?

Either way I wouldn't be too concerned in your case, but I *would* potentially see value in having a chat to a vehicle engineer, or a lawyer who deals in motor vehicle stuff. Even if they charge for your time, it might either set your mind at ease, or give you an idea of how to protect yourself.

Good luck!
Matto

[cucinadio]

Hi Rockman,

I suspect this may be the new legislation that JT was talking to me about a while ago. Basically the government (don't know whether federal or state) was getting fed up with cheap imported trailers and trailers being made by a Fred In A Shed with no clue. So they slapped this rule in, to get around people building/importing obviously dodgy stuff and slapping a "30 day warranty - she'll be right mate" on it.

The other thing that springs to mind is around ensuring safety on the road. IE, when a car manufacturer brings out a new model, it must be tested to pass all ADR's, crash tested, swerve tested, etc. Obviously that costs a lot of money, and trailers would all cost $30k for a 6x4 box if they were subjected to the same rules. So maybe this is a way to try to preserve good roadworthyness without the overhead of a formal testing scheme?

Either way I wouldn't be too concerned in your case, but I *would* potentially see value in having a chat to a vehicle engineer, or a lawyer who deals in motor vehicle stuff. Even if they charge for your time, it might either set your mind at ease, or give you an idea of how to protect yourself.

Good luck!
Matto

thanks for a useful post.......

[rockman]

Thanks for that Matto