Well Doug

I guess we should not ask opinions on here and discuss it with anyone...we certainly were not just telling you what we are going to do...we were saying what we had found out thus far and looks like it could work for us...and taking on board what others have to say as well...

I think we might as well not post on here because A LOT of people are just nasty...

Gary & Sheree

Sorry wasn't intending to be nasty, just curious as to why not have it built with door correct from the factory.
Doug

Yes Doug, this is a good point however not all of the manufacturers will do that in the US, we are waiting to hear if it can be done, but we really only like this one particular 5th Wheeler so we will have to see if they could or not and if so how much will the price increase etc...

Gary & Sheree

Hi Gary
In your own words,you have stated the problems
The yanks have their standards ,we have our,
Different countries have different standards.
It happens all over the world usually because the standards are tailored to that particular country's needs etc
Many many people have had problems with imported vans meeting AUS standards
Many have imported vans they cannot register
Many that got by with dodgy paper work are sitting, in some cases in potentially dangerous situations & could be issued with a defect notice @ any time
Very few of those "reputable" refitters were /are fully complying to the Aus standards
In both countries, the VAN door is required to be on the Kerb side or the rear
In both countries the INTENT of the standards is for it to be usable door
The fact that shonks think they have a loophole because no size is specified for the door just shows to what level some will sink to make a$

That is for safety reasons, which side depends on the driving side IN THAT country
As are many other requirements, SPECIFIC to Aus standards
This is where you will be using it ,IF you bring it in [NOT USA]
No one is trying to be nasty We are just pointing out a few of the pitfalls
Perhaps you are not aware to just what extent Standards attempt to protect us from our own stupidityor lack of understanding, every hour of every day>

Peter

Hi Peter

Firstly, we understand that each country has different standards??

The people we know and whom we have met having done what we are doing have no problems with registering their 5th Wheelers after a reputable company has done the compliance and had it passed by the authorities and hand it over registered and then they in turn have reregistered without any problems. We will not be importing this ourselves because that is probably where these people you are talking about have fallen down...it is just to big a job to take on by yourself.

How do you know that the reputable re-fitters are not fully complying to the Australian Standards? Just curious...in our research and from people that have done this with these particular 2, have to comply or they do not get them registered??

We know the door has to be put on the kerbside or back...our argument is this is for access supposedly when you pull over so whether it is on the kerbside or back you cannot get into the 5ver anyhow, because all the slides are in and you can't get at any buttons to slide one of the slide outs out to get in as they are at the other door where you can get in and usually you want to get to the fridge or bathroom when just pulling over??? and the fact that we get out of the car on the roadside to go to the kerbside to get in as it were?? So it's never going to be a usable door even with steps for us. It's just a crazy rule that makes no sense.

I think we are very aware of the standards...but it is not protecting us from our own stupidity or lack of understanding because if you read what we are saying above the only stupidity is that they make you put a door in that can't be used for what??? There is nowhere feasibly to put a usable door because of the fact that furniture entertainment units etc are in the way to put a door that is the set-up of each and every one of the 5th wheelers everything is around the edges so as to make room inside and for the slide outs to come in when travelling.

We have been researching this for a very long time and have spoken to many, many people and know a few personally that have done this and have none of the problems mentioned...we realise we have to have this door but begrudge having a hole cut in the side to put it in for no good reason as there is not one 5th wheeler that can use this door whilst on the road...when stationary and camping yes it can be used because furniture can then be moved and slide outs are in use if you wanted to do this, we don't because our awning will be on the other side so that is where we spend a lot of our time outside under the awning.

We really don't think this Aussie Standard is there to protect us from our own stupidity or lack of understanding otherwise they would make our cars LHD so we don't get out on the roadside...just saying...

Gary & Sheree

Hi Gary
Re:'I think we are very aware of the standards...but it is not protecting us from our own stupidity or lack of understanding because if you read what we are saying above the only stupidity is that they make you put a door in that can't be used for what??? There is nowhere feasibly to put a usable door because of the fact that furniture entertainment units etc are in the way to put a door that is the set-up of each and every one of the 5th wheelers everything is around the edges so as to make room inside and for the slide outs to come in when travelling.""

The stupidity certainly exists with fitting a door that does not comply with the intent of the Standards
Simply because some one wants to by a van NOT DESIGNED for a left kerb side door
That is the beginning & the end of the problem
The stupidity is the van layout is not suitable for modification, to the intent of the Standards
They then want the standards changed to suit their requirements
Try the reverse in good old USA & see how far they would accept a noncomplying door

The stupidity exists with the practise of fitting 240v to 110v transformers
which obviously does not comply with the intent of the standards

The stupidity exists in many other ways that the INTENT of the Standards are bypassed
I am aware of many problems left by "reputable" converters
As I said, many have got through due to acceptance by the authorities that the RIGHT thing had been done, with NO independent verification

I doubt much more can be said.
You obviously do not want advise, but just justification for your views
Sorry you will not get any justification from me
The Standards are there ,they are mandatory
The Authorities have become more aware of just what has been going on .
I suggest you just do a search on any forum for "Imported vans /motor homes"

Peter

Hi Garry & Sheree, I just went back and read your OP again and appears that you knew all that you needed to know before posting so I,m wondering are you chasing info or just stiring the pot Regards Neville.

QUOTE:
"As far as the width goes you can get 8' 5" and 8' ones from the US and the one we are getting is an 8' size and can comply with the awning or if you have the wider one you can roof mount your awning...did you know all our old Viscount vans etc were 8' wide with awnings added to that"??

8'5" exceeds the maximum width requirement of 2.5metres. An illegal Import. Full Stop.
8' just makes the width requirements, but will be to wide if a side mounted Roll out Awning is fitted.
The old 8' Viscounts (And others) with side mounted Roll Out Awnings are over width and therefore illegal.
Cheers, ozjohn.

Also note the following Re: Importation.

Importing a Trailer into Australia (Extract from VSB1)

An import approval must be obtained for a vehicle to gain customs clearance at its point of entry to Australia. Vehicles that arrive in Australia without an import approval generally incur significant storage costs until an Import Approval is issued.

It is strongly recommended that you do not ship your vehicle to Australia until such time as you are issued with an Import Approval. If you ship your vehicle before receiving an approval and your vehicle arrives before the application is processed, you may incur storage costs from the shipping company/freight forwarder. You may also be open to prosecution, as it is an offence to import a vehicle without an import approval. Importation takes place when a vehicle is landed within the port of intended discharge and not once the vehicle clears customs control. If the import application is not approved, you will have to either export the vehicle or have it destroyed at your own expense. Destruction will need to take place under Customs supervision.

VSB1 covers trailers up to 4.5 Tonne. Further regulations cover Trailers in excess of 4.5 Tonne.

[quote="TheScotts"]

I think we are very aware of the standards...but it is not protecting us from our own stupidity or lack of understanding because if you read what we are saying above the only stupidity is that they make you put a door in that can't be used for what???
There is nowhere feasibly to put a usable door because of the fact that furniture entertainment units etc are in the way to put a door that is the set-up of each and every one of the 5th wheelers everything is around the edges so as to make room inside and for the slide outs to come in when travelling.

We really don't think this Aussie Standard is there to protect us from our own stupidity or lack of understanding otherwise they would make our cars LHD so we don't get out on the roadside...just saying...

Gary & Sheree[/quote snipped]

Gary & Sheree,
It sure appears that you have a conceptual problem with the purpose of the Australian regulations.
The fact that a door placed in the position requested by law is of sound argument according to our road requirements is with out doubt, and can't be changed. I don't want to be unkind , but you seem to have a problem understanding that fact.

Yes you are willing to accept the consequences of having a door open out onto traffic in Oz, and assume that if you get killed it is your problem. The law in protecting you , is also trying to protect the person who may collide into that door and cause themselves injury. And in the process of finding fault have to go by the laws that allowed some one to have a van with a door in the road side of a van.

If it means redesigning the import to comply, what is the problem?????

The whole purpose of you importing the thing is to just save money. No problems there, but you are giving your self a lot of grief over really basic information. Your request for info has turned into a rant I'm afraid, and those answering are now having to defend the basics of van design in Australia.
I reckon just draw the van up as you like it with the Aus rules in place , make 3 copies and get USA quotations.

My bet is that it will come up a lot closer to Aus costs by the time you consider the import and approvals. Also the warrantee to consider.

Many of the units at the Perth show were Yankee units converted in Oz.


This bit was posted by the proprieter of the largest repair firm in Qld. He is also one of the most respected repairers in Oz. http://www.caravanersforum.com/viewtopi ... 99#p373899