With more than 900,000 registered caravans and motorhomes on Australian roads, industry insiders are sounding the alarm over what they describe as ongoing poor consumer practices and insufficient product testing, despite the market’s rapid growth.
According to an article by Yahoo News, in 2022, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) warned it was putting the caravan industry “on notice for poor treatment of consumers,” citing long wait times for deliveries and repairs, misleading advertising, and false warranty claims.
Three years later, veteran manufacturer David Fealy says little has changed, claiming caravans can be approved for sale with only minimal internal quality checks and limited road testing of just 5,000 to 7,000 km, far less than the 17,000 km required for a typical lap around Australia.
“Caravans and campers can be approved for sale after only minimal internal quality checks, and in some cases limited road testing of just 5,000 to 7,000 km,” Fealy told Yahoo News.
“This is despite the fact that a typical lap around Australia covers over 17,000 km, often through extreme conditions including rough roads, red dust and prolonged exposure to heat and humidity,” Fealy added.
He warns that Australia’s harsh climate, especially humidity in tropical and coastal areas, can accelerate structural failure in poorly sealed joints, laminated panels, and adhesive bonds, while salty air adds further risk of corrosion.
Known defects such as leaky panel joints, or J moulds, can cost owners up to $10,000 to repair.
In December 2023, Crusader Caravans was fined $33,000 for misleading claims about weatherproofing tests, and the ACCC is currently taking action against Jayco over alleged false promotion of off-road capabilities — a claim Jayco says it will “vigorously defend.”
Fealy has also raised concerns about the growing use of lightweight composite materials in place of traditional timber or aluminium frames, saying that while they perform well in Europe’s milder climate and smoother roads, they “tend to struggle under Australia’s harsher conditions, particularly in remote or off-road environments.”
He also notes that proper suspension systems, such as air cushioning, are crucial for durability in off-road models.
The industry has faced financial casualties, including the collapse of Tango Caravans last year, which left customers out of pocket by as much as $94,000.
Weight misrepresentation has also become a recurring problem, with some customers discovering their caravans could legally carry only minimal luggage without exceeding towing limits, sometimes forcing expensive retrofits.
The ACCC has warned retailers that misrepresenting caravan weights can impose additional costs and create safety risks, reminding consumers of their rights under Australian Consumer Law to seek repairs, replacements, or refunds for non-compliant products.
Stuart Lamont, CEO of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, acknowledges that local conditions are demanding but says most businesses “are committed to doing the right thing by their customers – building products designed for our unique conditions and ensuring they meet stringent safety and compliance standards in an environment that is heavily regulated and focused on consumer protection.”
The issues raised point to an urgent need for stronger regulations, better testing, and greater consumer awareness to ensure long-term product reliability.
For the RV industry, maintaining trust is critical not only for consumer safety but also for sustaining the sector’s economic strength as caravanning continues to grow in popularity.