Is your imported off road coupling compliant?

[BigJules]

I received this press release from The Australian Manufactured Camper Trailer Guild. I have posted this not to stir debate, that is already happening in other threads, but as an advice to those of you who may have an imported camper or perhaps only an imported coupling. You might wish to check out yours.

I am sure it would be off interest to members for folks to post their findings.

WARNING  ABOUT NON-COMPLIANT COUPLINGS

The Australian Manufactured Camper Trailer Guild have strong evidence that thousands of imported Chinese-manufactured off road camper trailers have illegal non-compliant couplings which may cause accidents by failing.
Australian design rule ADR62 VSB1 states that couplings must have the manufactures name and it's rating stamped on and must be tested by an approved testing authority.
Thousands of Chinese off road couplings have no markings or are stamped with the Australian standard  number AS4177.3   As AS4177.3 is only for ball couplings, these off road couplings are illegal and non -compliant.
AMCTG President, Mr Roger Fagan, has 45 years experience in the industry and states that the coupling is the most critical component in a trailer because if this fails a serious or head-on accident could occur.
In the interests of their own safety and the safety of other road users, owners of imported camper trailers are strongly urged to check their coupling to determine if they are compliant.
For more information on the AMCTG log on to
www.australianmanufacturedcampers.org.au

[Bird]

[Tractor88]

Wow, what a surprise!......................not. 

[lino6]

Thanks for the heads up Jules 

[noel_w]

If I remember correctly, Jeepers had a problem with one of the imported hitches where one of the welds either broke or cracked.

[muzza01]

I am glad you brought this up BJ.  When I purchased my CT it came with one of these Tregg copy hitches. I had already seen first hand 4 of these hitches fail. My local trailer supplier (Taylor's Trailers) showed me a few that they had to replace.

Getting rid of this hitch was one of the first modifications that I made to my CT.
As BJ has shown they are not compliant. At the end of the day they are unsafe and could kill someone.
This is a pic of my old one with the bull5hit AS number on it.

Do yourself a favour, if you have one of these on your CT, replace it with a compliant brand.

[Barry G]

I received this press release from The Australian Manufactured Camper Trailer Guild. I have posted this not to stir debate, that is already happening in other threads, but as an advice to those of you who may have an imported camper or perhaps only an imported coupling. You might wish to check out yours.

I am sure it would be off interest to members for folks to post their findings. ....

www.australianmanufacturedcampers.org.au

Jules, link doesn't work.

[MDS69]

My Voldermont CT has the Tregg style with the AS number cast into it but I will have to check if it is the ball coupling one. I will also have to check if it has the manufacturers name and rating. I am thinking not but you never know. Thanks for the heads up.

[Bird]

www.australianmanufacturedcampers.org.au

try
www.australianmanufacturedcampertrailers.org.au/

[BigJules]

That's the one, thanks Lost

[gunna]

Interesting my Hitch is the same as the one Muzza had
always had it my mine to replace it with a ozhitch better look into that

[BigJules]

I reckon a class action should be take against these companies. They've sold a non compliant product, because of which many people may unknowingly be uninsured (if the insurer chose to look). Disgraceful.


Julian

[Bird]

I reckon a class action should be take against these companies. They've sold a non compliant product, because of which many people may unknowingly be uninsured (if the insurer chose to look). Disgraceful.


Julian

It will take a death first.

[weeds]

the same would apply to aussie /home built trailers........i'm sure there is the odd imported component

[BigJules]

Yes, although I wonder if the level of negligence may be altered. Would a manufacturer who sells a completed camper with a non compliant hitch be more culpable than a seller of cheap hitches only?


Julian

[BigJules]

Let me be clear, it's not an issue with imported components per se, but in this specific instance components mislabeled and misrepresented as being certified to Australian standards


Julian

[woolgoolgaoffroad]

suprise suprise
mine has no stamp

[BigJules]

I am surprised, MDC have been advertising that their hitch is compliant, in fact I seem to recall them making a big deal out of it.


Julian

[Wunderlust]

Anectodaly - I had a look at Chinese imports when I was on the hint. A supplier here in Perth had no qualms in telling me the ct's were Chinese and was actually honest about the quality, but argued sucessfully, the price reflected what you paid for. When I was there he knew the Chinese tregs were non compliant and was replacing them all with compliant Australian treg type hitches because of their non compliance. He said it added a few $$ but wouldn't sell them with the Chinese one at he didn't want the liability. He was honest!

[sunfan]

I am surprised, MDC have been advertising that their hitch is compliant, in fact I seem to recall them making a big deal out of it.

Julian

bloody hell! thanks for that big jules, i was told to pay attention to the coupling when shopping for a second hand camper. I stupidly believed MDC's  web home  page claiming all their hitchs are authentic ADR compliant.. obviously chinese trailer manfacturers can say anything.
disgraceful and very sad really 

[rags]

I think you also have to be careful as to some manufacturers using approved hitches on their display models at their place of business or caravan shows and then supplying them to customers with the unapproved hitch.
At a recent show there where RTA inspectors looking at this  and other issues.

[GGV8Cruza]

bloody hell! thanks for that big jules, i was told to pay attention to the coupling when shopping for a second hand camper. I stupidly believed MDC's  web home  page claiming all their hitchs are authentic ADR compliant.. obviously chinese trailer manfacturers can say anything.
disgraceful and very sad really 

Contact them and ensure the product sold meets the relevant standards.

GG

[evans52]

Hmmmm.................this is off an Ezytrail Camper. I'm not sure if "SY" is the Manufacturer or if it's the name of the Chinese bloke who made it?

[DaveR]

At 1 of the shows in Brisbane, I asked a bloke about it (not MDC) and he said yep, all good.
I pointed out lack of markings etc, and asked that he prove it to me that it is to the standards.
Well, he couldn't and got on the phone to someone, whilst he was talking, another potential buyer asked me what I was asking and I clearly told them.
They walked away, so to I.

Surely the relevant vehicle inspection - rego folk can look into this and see if it is OK or not and make a ruling of sorts. Just hope it don't end up with a copy AS stamp at the end of the day, and a compliant statement which means nothing.

[weeds]

Soooo, the hitch only needs to display the manufacturers name and load rating.........and does not require the australian standard markings??

Pretty sure my DO 35 does not have any reference to australian standard on it........in saying that I am confident it a quality hitch


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