bellarinecaravans.com.au

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290 Princes Highway, Corio 3214 : Phone: 03 5274 9670 : Fax: 03 5274 9501

The Seal of Approval

All our caravans comply with The Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Association of Australia which promotes high quality production standards of your caravan through self regulation and audits of manufacturing processes. On going Research and Development plus industry training is promoted. The RVMAA believes a highly skilled technical and trades work force ensures that caravans continue being built to industry standards.

The RVMAA Seal is attached to all of our models that are manufactured by Association members. The Seal provides owners with our member's assurance that their caravan has been designed and built for Australian use and is manufactured in Australia in accordance with the Association's code of practice and construction standards. The RVMAA Seal also provides owners with our member's further assurance that it honours the Association's code of ethics.

When purchasing a pop-top or caravan ensure that it carries the RVMAA's Seal of Approval.

Your Guarantee of Quality Control

We at Bellarine Caravans ensure that before you pay for your caravan that we go over your caravan with a fine tooth comb, should there be anything out of order, your caravan goes back to the manufacturer to have the problem fixed. After all, we want to see you enjoy your caravan from the outset. This is our guarantee to you, The Buyer.

FAQ Questions & Definitions of caravans

We sell caravans at the best prices you'll find in Australia. Please take time to browse our extensive range of new and used caravans, campers and pop tops.

Tare Weight : ATM/GTM : Tow Ball Mass : Hitches : Brake Controller : Poptops

Caravan Language - What you should know!

1. TARE WEIGHT

Tare Weight means the caravan weight when it is empty, as stated from the manufacturer.
The Tare Weight is marked on the trailer plate and is the caravan that is fully built and fitted out by the manufacturer as it leaves their factory, but before any dealer fitted options are fitted such as a 150 litre fridge upgrade and before any of your items are loaded.

2. ATM/GTM

The Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) means the total permitted weight of your caravan, measured on its wheels and coupling, with all of your goods in the caravan ready to tour. The manufacturer quote's the ATM as a safe maximum weight and must not, by law, be exceeded. The ATM includes any options fitted to your caravan, eg. an Annexe, and things like water, and all of your own gear you put in the caravan before you tow it.

The Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) means the maximum permitted weight of your caravan, measured on its wheels NOT including the weight imposed on the coupling. The manufacturer quote's a safe maximum GTM which must not, by law, be exceeded.

3. TOW BALL MASS

The Tow Ball Mass (TBM) means the downward weight of your caravan on the tow ball. Vehicle manufacturers quote a maximum Tow Ball Mass that can be imposed on the vehicle. Tow Ball Mass varies according to how the caravan is loaded and balanced, but you should aim to have 10 percent of the ATM for best balance.

4. HITCHES

These accessory items are one way to reduce the caravan sway and to help solve the problem of the caravan's weight pushing the back of the car down and making the front of the vehicle lift and thereby reducing steering control.

Weight distribution hitches consist of two or four torsion bars that are under tension by chains on the A frame and act on the tow bar hitch to transfer weight from the rear wheels to the front of the tow vehicle, and ensuring efficient steering and braking control. The bars are fitted with chains to the A frame at one end and fit into a slot on the tow bar hitch.

Hayman Reese Hitches are available from the Mini hitch (up to 80 kg rated), Intermediate Hitch (from 80 kg to 130 kg rated), 550 lb Hitch (from 130 kg to 250 kg rated), 750 lb Hitch (from 250 kg to 340 kg rated)

5. BRAKE CONTROLLER

Caravan brakes are a legal requirement for all caravans with a GTM of 750 kg's or more, the brake system that is used is electric brakes activated by an "in car" brake controller usually fitted under your console. The power for this system is fed from the vehicles brake light circuit into the brake controller, then back to the caravan through the connecting plug and socket to the drum brakes which are activated by electro magnets. This allows the caravan brakes to activate automatically when you apply the vehicle's foot brakes. Two types of brake controllers are available: 1. A totally electronic integrated circuit unit which is the dearer of the two, 2. A" motion sensing” pendulum type which is what most people use.