Did you know that in NSW alone from 2014-2018 there were 239 road crashes that involved a vehicle that was towing a caravan, with 120 serious injuries and sadly 12 fatalities? One of the RV industry groups through Federal Government funding, has developed educational resources to increase road safety awareness in the RV sector. The RV Safe initiative covers many areas of road safety especially towing and is suitable for new owners and as refreshers for not-so new caravan owners.
Owning and towing a caravan comes with a level of responsibility around safety for the owner and occupants as well as other road users. Safety is a high priority that applies not only while travelling but in setting up the vehicle correctly for safe operation.
We provide information on the RV Safe resources available and how we may be able to assist buyers of new caravans to ensure their vehicle is set-up for safety from the get-go.
RV Safe Project
The RV Safe project is supported by the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) and is made possible through funding from the Road Safety Awareness and Enablers Fund from the Federal Government.
The CMCA is the largest club for RV owners in Australia and has in excess of 70,000 members. The Club provides a wide range of member benefits, resources and support for those who love the RV lifestyle.
The RV Safe project has been designed and developed for owners and drivers of all the different RV types. The key objective is to provide educational resources to make life on the road safer. The resources available cover a range of topics including towing, overtaking safely, speed, rest, UHF communications, roadside issues, licensing and others.
To make the resources easily accessible and digested, the initiative now offers a video via YouTube. There are currently 17 programs in the series, short videos that contain a lot of educational information about safety on the road. Topics covered include how to use towing mirrors, reversing a caravan, swaying trailers, understanding towing weights and the very important issue of overtaking. Further videos are planned.
In addition to the videos, the RV Safe website includes a range of articles on these topics with clear advice and instructions. With the recent surge in caravan ownership, the project is very much aimed at those new owners and ensuring they are well-prepared to take on travelling with their new RV. But even die-hards can sometimes do with refreshers and reminders. Especially when planning to travel to new locales and on terrain not previously encountered.
With the busy Christmas and summer holiday season just months away, now could be the ideal time to brush up on your knowledge and skills around towing and operating your RV on the road. For new buyers, check with state road departments regarding the licensing requirements and ensure your vehicle is suitable to tow the vehicle you intend to purchase.
For those who would like to build their confidence and skills, take advantage of the courses available through training organisations.
RV Safety and Your Caravan Loan
While the RV Safe project focuses on road safety, we thought it appropriate to include some other aspects of RV safety and its relevance to caravan finance. Both in setting up the vehicle and definitions of different loan types.
One query that some new to finance may have is around the ‘safety’ interpretation of a Secured Caravan Loan and an Unsecured Personal Loan. The definition of the words ‘safety’ and ‘security’ in general terms can be associated. Implying in some way that a secured loan is ‘safe’ while an unsecured loan is not ‘safe’. That is not the correct definition of these terms, we explain to clarify and ensure customers understand the loans they are applying for.
In finance, the term ‘security’ refers to the guarantee against the funds being borrowed. The caravan is accepted as the security on the finance for the lender. The lender has the assurance that should the borrower defaults on the loan, they can take possession of the caravan and sell it to recoup the monies owed.
An unsecured loan means that the goods being purchased with the finance are not used as a guarantee or security for the finance. Either the RV is not available for security or is not accepted as suitable security. With some applications, some other form of security may be requested.
Loan holders do have the assurance offered by our fixed interest rates and fixed loan terms that their fixed monthly repayments will remain unchanged when interest rates in general vary.
Other safety aspects of caravan ownership can involve the caravan loan. These include setting up the RV safely. Equipment required to ensure the caravan meets and/or exceeds regulatory requirements and general personal responsibilities may need to be purchased in addition to what is included in the purchase model and price. This is an area where we may be able to assist new caravan buyers.
When ordered from the same dealer and purchased at the same time as the RV, Jade Caravan Finance may be able to include the costs in the caravan loan.
Possible safety equipment and accessories that this may cover include:-
- Extra fire extinguishers.
- Upgraded suspension and tyres to facilitate safer travel in certain rougher terrain.
- Security systems to protect the RV and contents while owners are out and about and when the vehicle is parked up and not in use.
- Protection for the exterior while in storage.
- Additional water tanks to ensure sufficient supply while in free campsites and remote locations.
- Solar power systems and upgrades to provide continuous power and sustainability to ensure appliances and especially communications are available.
We address all loan applications on an individual basis with all quotes sourced and negotiated to best suit individual requirements. Before purchasing your new caravan, speak with us about the options and possibilities and cover off on safety from all angles.
Contact Jade Caravan Finance on 1300 000 003 to discuss your individual caravan loan requirements
DISCLAIMER: THE DETAILS AND INFORMATION IN THIS CONTENT ARE PREPARED AND PRESENTED PURELY FOR INFORMATION AND NOT INTENDED IN ANY WAY AS THE SOLE SOURCE OF FINANCIAL ADVICE FOR CARAVAN PURCHASING. IF ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ADVICE IS REQUIRED, READERS SHOULD REFER TO A FINANCIAL ADVISOR. NO LIABILITY IS ACCEPTED FOR ANY ERRORS, PRODUCT DESCRIPTION VARIATIONS, OR OTHER MISREPRESENTATIONS OF INFORMATION AS PRESENTED.
