The Australian Design Rules (ADRs) are national design rules that mandate minimum safety standards, dimensional requirements, structural requirements as well as performance targets for all vehicles that are registered for travel on Australian roads. The RVSA ensures that the process of manufacturing a New Age Caravan is documented and structured to ensure consistent repeatability during the manufacturing process from start to finish.
Whilst Vehicle Type Approval is not yet compulsory for caravans to be sold in Australia, it was considered essential for New Age Caravans, ensuring a higher standard of safety and quality in the entire range, putting it above its competitors.
New Age Caravans Managing Director is delighted that the company’s diligence and commitment has been recognised by the Australian Government.
“To have Vehicle Type Approvals for our entire New Age Caravan range in production right now is something we are all extremely proud of. It speaks to the quality and safety of the process we undertake, from design to manufacturing, and the commitment from all our staff,” said the Managing Director.
“While ADRs are not yet formally mandated by the road vehicle regulators in the caravan industry, it’s something we believe is essential, and that’s why we’ve gone above and beyond what is required. We want all New Age caravan owners to know that their caravan has met the national standards by the governing body, for wherever their journey takes them.
“We categorically believe Vehicle Type Approvals should be mandatory across entire RV and leisure vehicle industry, to ensure all caravans out there on the road are safe.
“Anyone who is in the market for a caravan should ensure it has Vehicle Type Approvals, for their own safety and peace of mind.”
Whilst the Vehicle Type Approval process might be relatively new to the caravan industry, the Walkinshaw Group has over 30 years of experience in working to these standards and procedures though its automotive arm of the business.
“The Walkinshaw Group has over 30 years of experience in obtaining Vehicle Type Approvals in the automotive side, it’s something that ensures all cars on our roads are of a certain standard ensuring quality and safety, so we are acutely aware of not only what is required, but also how essential it is,” said the Managing Director.
“It’s in our DNA as a business, so introducing this to New Age Caravans was high on our priority list, and it’s fantastic to see it become a reality.”
Embodying the work that has gone into achieving Vehicle Type Approval is the new nappy rear moulded design which is seen across the New Age range– as Rogy Mathew Karottu, Head of Engineering and Design at New Age Caravans explains.
“Our all-new rear moulded system that encompasses the spare wheel is the perfect example of the innovation we are seeing in our range. It allows the spare wheel to be mounted to the body of the caravan, rather than attached separately, ensuring it is mounted in the most secure and safe way possible,” said Karottu.
“This in turn reduces human error and any chance of geometric interference when installing rear signal lights, just one of the many measures we have implemented here at New Age Caravans.”
