RVMAP
The Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing Accreditation program (RVMAP) is a voluntary Australian Design Rules (ADRs) educational and inspection program with a focus on safety.
ADRs are national standards for vehicle safety, anti-theft and emissions.
Participating industry businesses sign an RVMAP licence, committing to consistently supplying RV products that adhere to relevant ADRs and Federal compliance regulations.
These commitments are regularly checked through the inspection of products and paperwork at factories, dealerships and consumer shows. Over 1,000 inspections are conducted annually.
The Key: A Buyer’s Mark of Confidence
Making RV products safer since 2013
Based on over 8,000 vehicle inspections, the facts don’t lie:
- Proven higher compliance: On a like-for-like inspection basis, RVMAP licensed businesses record nearly three-times fewer Australian Design Rule (ADR) compliance issues per product inspected than non-licensed businesses.
- Separating the best from the rest: Since 2020, RVMAP licenced businesses have shown, on average, a 40% improvement in ADR compliance.
Don’t risk It.
Look for the key.
It’s the RV industry standard.
RV products displaying the Accreditation Key give consumers added confidence when purchasing a caravan or motorhome, as participation in the RVMAP program involves:
Accreditation Journey
Some of you may be familiar with the RVMAA and RVM Australia badges (as seen above, which was the ‘seal of approval’ on thousands of Recreational Vehicles built by licensed manufacturers up until 2013. Shortly after, the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing Association of Australia (RVM Australia) merged with the Caravan, RV & Accommodation Industry of Australia Ltd (CRVA) to establish Caravan Industry Association of Australia.
From this merger the RVMAP program was redeveloped and relaunched.
Becoming an RVMAP licenced business can take 6 – 24 months. Each business needs to meet the required consistent level of ADR and Federal compliance. If the business does not meet this level, they are unable to join the program or carry the RVMAP Key.
RVMAP businesses are required to:
- Sign a licence committing to the ongoing compliance commitment
- Meet the RVMAP Code that outlines their legal obligations
- Meet the RVMAP Code of Ethics
- Undergo random third-party onsite ADR inspections on their finished product types
The RVMAP regular inspection process includes up to 250 individual points of compliance and is carried out at the RVMAP businesses facility.
The inspection points broadly encompass (but are not limited to) the following:
- Vehicle (VIN) plate information
- Vehicle dimensional requirements
- Lights and light-signalling devices (including Reflectors)
- Load carrying capacity
- Vehicle ratings and masses fire safety precautions – the presence and suitability of a smoke alarm and fire extinguisher
- Verification of Gas and Electrical Compliance Certification
- Suitability of the following with respect to the mass ratings:
- Tyre ratings
- Coupling ratings
- Braking capacity
- Fifth wheel couplings and hitches
- Safety chain ratings
- Chassis ratings
To supplement these RVMAP inspections, the RVMAP Technical Team visit consumer shows throughout the year, carrying out ADR focussed safety inspections on both RVMAP product and those businesses not in program.
If an RVMAP business does not continue to meet this high standard of ADR compliance expected, the business will go through a process that may mean they are exited from the program.
NB: THE RVMAP PROGRAM IS A SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE EDUCATION AND INSPECTION PROGRAM – it does not assess quality as products are inspected at the time of manufacture or display to the consumer whereas quality issues generally appear after usage.
Where the RVMAP team receives consumer feedback regarding quality issues, these matters are taken up with the RVMAP licensed business through inspection of their Quality Management System and production processes.
The RVMAP Accreditation Key
The RVMAP Accreditation Key is available to RVMAP licenced businesses, identifying them to consumers as businesses committed to consistently supplying products that adhere to relevant Australian Design Rules and Federal compliance regulations.
Source of Origin
All RVMAP licenced businesses whether “Australia made” or “imported from outside Australia” are subject to the same rigorous, on-the-ground inspection regime in Australia in producing or supplying RVs that are compliant to relevant Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and Federal Compliance regulations.
To make the source of origin clear, the following keys are used:
RVMAP Australian Key
Built and inspected in Australia for Australian conditions.
Used by RVMAP licenced businesses who produce an Australian-made RV.
RVMAP International Key
Imported with confidence – inspected in Australia to meet our rigorous safety standards.
Used by RVMAP licenced businesses who import RVs, either in their entirety or partially assembled.
RVMAP Camper Key
Used by RVMAP licensed businesses who produce an Australian-made camper or tent trailer.
| Manufacturer / Importer | Website/Phone |
|---|---|
| ARB | Website |
| AUSRV (by Market Direct Group) | Website |
| Australian Off Road | Website |
| Australian Viscount Pty Ltd | Website |
| Avan Campers, Caravans and Motorhomes | Website |
| Avida RV | Website |
| Blue Sky Caravans | Website |
| Concept Caravans | Website |
| Coromal RV (by Apollo) | Website |
| Cosy Cab Caravans | Website |
| Crusader Caravans | Website |
| Cub Campers | Website |
| Design RV | Website |
| Essential Caravans | Website |
| Evernew Caravans | Website |
| Evolution Caravans | Website |
| Franklin Caravans (by Concept Caravans) | Website |
| Gold Class Caravans (by Market Direct Group) | Website |
| Goldstream RVs | Website |
| Great Aussie Caravans | Website |
| Halen Vans | Website |
| Highclere Caravans | Website |
| Hilltop Caravans | Website |
| Horizon Motorhomes | Website |
| JB Caravans | Website |
| Latitude RV | Website |
| LDV | TBA |
| Litchfield Caravans | Website |
| Living Edge Caravans | 03 9308 5131 |
| Lotus Caravans | Website |
| Malibu Caravans (by Auslink Transport Services) | Website |
| MDC Campers and Caravans (by Market Direct Group) | Website |
| Millard RV | Website |
| Network RV | Website |
| Newlands Caravans (by Concept Caravans) | Website |
| Nextgen Caravans (by Network RV) | Website |
| Nova Caravans | Website |
| Olympic Caravans | Website |
| Opera Caravans | Website |
| Option RV | Website |
| Pathfinder Caravans | Website |
| Patriot Campers | Website |
| Regent Caravans | Website |
| Retreat Caravans | Website |
| River Caravans | Website |
| Roadstar Caravans | Website |
| Royal Flair Caravans | Website |
| Safari Caravans | Website |
| Salute Caravans | Website |
| Snowy River (by Regent Caravans) | Website |
| Stoney Creek Campers | Website |
| Suncamper | Website |
| Sunland Australia RV | Website |
| Sunliner RV (by Recreational Vehicle Industries Australia) | Website |
| Track Trailer | Website |
| Trakka | Website |
| Unicampa (by Recreational Vehicle Industries Australia) | Website |
| Vacationer Caravans | Website |
| Victory Caravans (by Network RV) | Website |
| Viscount Caravans | Website |
| Willow RV | Website |
| Windsor (by Apollo) | Website |
| Winnebago Australia | Website |
| Wirraway Motorhomes | Website |
| Xplore RV | Website |
| York Caravans | Website |
RVMAP does not assess overall Quality of Workmanship. Quality, unlike compliance, is subjective and as such, the quality of the Recreational Vehicle remains the responsibility of the RVMAP Licensed Business.
Disclaimer:
RVMAP is a voluntary industry program. The Caravan Industry Association of Australia is not in any way a manufacturer, distributor, packager, importer or retailer of any product. The RVMAP key is not intended to be, and should not be taken as, a guarantee or warranty as to –
(a) product compliance. Inspections are conducted on a random and sample basis from participating businesses; or
(b) the financial strength of a participating business. Inspections do not cover financial issues;
© RVMAP does not assess overall Quality of Workmanship. Quality, unlike compliance, is subjective and as such,
the quality of the Recreational Vehicle remains the responsibility of the RVMAP Licensed Business; or
(d) whether the product meets your needs or is the best product to meet those needs.
The absence of the RVMAP badge from a product is not necessarily an indication of non-compliance or lack of commitment to compliance. Consumers must make their own investigations or seek specific advice on any product they are considering purchasing irrespective of whether or not it carries the RVMAP badge.
When choosing an RV, look for the Accreditation Key!
Interested in learning more about how we can help in protecting your RV asset? Click through to our partner insurance program or view our towing guide.
