REGULATIONS
Before purchasing your Tail Feather Camper Kit and a suitable trailer, we strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with a publication available on the Department of Infrastructure and Transport website.
The publication is called: Vehicle Standards Bulletin VSB1
The following is a sample of what can be found in the VSB1:
'Caravan' or 'Box Trailer'
As an empty shell attached to your trailer (equipped with temporary sleeping accommodation only) your Tail Feather Camper is classified as a "General-Purpose Trailer".
As soon as the dinette and double bed conversion is installed, your trailer becomes a caravan. By definition, a caravan is an enclosed trailer, which is intended for use as a mobile home or living quarters when parked. It will usually provide fixed sleeping accommodation and/or facilities for the preparation of food. A trailer permanently equipped with a folding and stowable roof (such as a camper trailer) is a caravan. Enclosed trailers constructed for the accommodation of people when parked such as workers' amenity trailers, mobile kitchens or mobile offices are also regarded as caravans.
Registration
For registration purposes, a caravan is considered a 'trailer'. The cost of registration is the same for both a caravan and a box trailer in each of the Australian states and territories.
Brakes
No brakes are required on trailers that do not exceed a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 750 kg with a single axle.
Trailers over 750 kg must be fitted with an efficient brake system that complies with ADR 38/-. E
Towing Vehicle
Never exceed the towing capacity of your vehicle. If you are unsure about your vehicles towing capacity check with the manufacturer before purchasing your Tail Feather Camper and trailer. The following websites list both the towing capacity and ball weight capacity for vehicles sold in Australia. Use them as a guide only. For example, a late model Toyota Hiace has an unbraked towing capacity of 400kg, but a braked capacity of 1300kg. Both websites fail to mention the unbraked towing capacity of the Toyota Hiace.
http://www.towbarsaustralia.com.au/
http://www.haymanreese.com.au/mmysearch.asp
Electrical Installations
Electrical installations on a trailer that are intended for connection to a power system other than that of the drawing vehicle must comply with Australian Standard 3001-1981 'Electrical Installations in Caravans and Caravan Parks' or Australian Standard AS 3001-2001 Electrical Installations 'Relocatable premises (including caravans and tents) and their site installations'.
The Caravan Plus website has some excellent information on electrical installations for caravans:
Electrical installation using DIY components
Important 240v introduction if it's your first RV
Traditional electrical installation Guide
LPG Installations
The local state or territory registering authority should be consulted for acceptability of LPG installations requirements. In cases where the local state and territory does not mandate a minimum requirement. Then Manufacturers are required to comply with Australian Standard AS 5601-2004 'Gas installations'.
Fire Extinguishers
A caravan or light trailer designed primarily for human occupation whilst stationary must be fitted with a fire extinguisher. Note: Fire authorities strongly recommend that caravans or trailers equipped with cooking facilities, or living or sleeping accommodation be fitted with approved fire blankets and smoke detectors for the protection of occupants.
Caravans must be provided with a fire extinguisher(s) selected and located in accordance with Australian Standards AS1850-1994 'Portable Fire Extinguishers Classification, Rating and Performance Testing' or AS 1850 -1997 'Portable Fire Extinguishers Classification, Rating and Performance Testing' and AS2444-1995'Portable Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blankets Selection and Location' or Australian Standard AS 24442001 'Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets Selection and location'.
The publication is called: Vehicle Standards Bulletin VSB1
The following is a sample of what can be found in the VSB1:
'Caravan' or 'Box Trailer'
As an empty shell attached to your trailer (equipped with temporary sleeping accommodation only) your Tail Feather Camper is classified as a "General-Purpose Trailer".
As soon as the dinette and double bed conversion is installed, your trailer becomes a caravan. By definition, a caravan is an enclosed trailer, which is intended for use as a mobile home or living quarters when parked. It will usually provide fixed sleeping accommodation and/or facilities for the preparation of food. A trailer permanently equipped with a folding and stowable roof (such as a camper trailer) is a caravan. Enclosed trailers constructed for the accommodation of people when parked such as workers' amenity trailers, mobile kitchens or mobile offices are also regarded as caravans.
Registration
For registration purposes, a caravan is considered a 'trailer'. The cost of registration is the same for both a caravan and a box trailer in each of the Australian states and territories.
Brakes
No brakes are required on trailers that do not exceed a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 750 kg with a single axle.
Trailers over 750 kg must be fitted with an efficient brake system that complies with ADR 38/-. E
Towing Vehicle
Never exceed the towing capacity of your vehicle. If you are unsure about your vehicles towing capacity check with the manufacturer before purchasing your Tail Feather Camper and trailer. The following websites list both the towing capacity and ball weight capacity for vehicles sold in Australia. Use them as a guide only. For example, a late model Toyota Hiace has an unbraked towing capacity of 400kg, but a braked capacity of 1300kg. Both websites fail to mention the unbraked towing capacity of the Toyota Hiace.
http://www.towbarsaustralia.com.au/
http://www.haymanreese.com.au/mmysearch.asp
Electrical Installations
Electrical installations on a trailer that are intended for connection to a power system other than that of the drawing vehicle must comply with Australian Standard 3001-1981 'Electrical Installations in Caravans and Caravan Parks' or Australian Standard AS 3001-2001 Electrical Installations 'Relocatable premises (including caravans and tents) and their site installations'.
The Caravan Plus website has some excellent information on electrical installations for caravans:
Electrical installation using DIY components
Important 240v introduction if it's your first RV
Traditional electrical installation Guide
LPG Installations
The local state or territory registering authority should be consulted for acceptability of LPG installations requirements. In cases where the local state and territory does not mandate a minimum requirement. Then Manufacturers are required to comply with Australian Standard AS 5601-2004 'Gas installations'.
Fire Extinguishers
A caravan or light trailer designed primarily for human occupation whilst stationary must be fitted with a fire extinguisher. Note: Fire authorities strongly recommend that caravans or trailers equipped with cooking facilities, or living or sleeping accommodation be fitted with approved fire blankets and smoke detectors for the protection of occupants.
Caravans must be provided with a fire extinguisher(s) selected and located in accordance with Australian Standards AS1850-1994 'Portable Fire Extinguishers Classification, Rating and Performance Testing' or AS 1850 -1997 'Portable Fire Extinguishers Classification, Rating and Performance Testing' and AS2444-1995'Portable Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blankets Selection and Location' or Australian Standard AS 24442001 'Portable fire extinguishers and fire blankets Selection and location'.
