Changes to building and registering light trailers are in effect from 1 July 2023.
Light trailers are trailers with an aggregate trailer mass less than 4.5 tonnes. ATM is the total permitted mass of the trailer and its load - eg a boat, campervan, caravan or horse float.
Building light trailers and caravans
Light trailers must be built to the standards outlined in VSB1 - Trailers with an Aggregate Trailer Mass of 4.5 Tonnes or less on the Australian Government Department for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) website.
Changes for light trailer and caravan manufacturers
On 1 July 2021, the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA) and its regulations replaced the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (MVSA). Under this new legislation, the process for the first supply of a vehicle to the Australian market has changed.
For further information on these changes, refer to the DITRDCA website - Low ATM Trailers.
On 1 July 2023, the RVSA and its regulations took full effect, and the transitional arrangements that have been in place for its transitional period ceased.
The DITRDCA has stated that a vehicle subject to an MVSA identification plate or import approval is considered to have been provided to the market under the following circumstances:
- A contract of sale was completed between the consumer (intended owner) and either an original equipment manufacturer or a dealership before 1 July 2023, or
- They are unconditionally registered with a state or territory registration authority on or before 30 June 2023. Road vehicles subject to a temporary or limited form of registration will not be accepted to have been provided.
Vehicles that do not meet the above criteria from 1 July 2023 will require an entry on the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) database to be eligible for registration in South Australia.
Registering a newly built trailer or caravan
Under the RVSA, manufacturers and importers of trailers and caravans with an aggregate trailer mass (ATM) of 4.5 tonnes or less will be required to have an approval before they can provide a trailer type to a consumer.
Previously, manufacturers and importers were able to self-certify that a trailer complied with the relevant Vehicle Standards Bulletin through a trailer identification plate, however this process has now changed.
Trailer manufacturers and importers providing more than 4 low ATM trailers to the Australian market in a 12 month period are required to obtain a Type Approval for their trailer type.
Concessional Approval is available to low volume light trailer manufactures and importers that supply up to four trailers to the Australian market in a 12 month period. These trailers are individually added to the RAV on a case by case basis.
Previously, a light trailer without a make-code on TRUMPS was required to obtain an identity inspection prior to registration being granted. However, applications for a make code from low volume trailer manufacturers are no longer accepted. Manufacturers and importers are required to apply for a Concessional or Type approval, through DITRDCA.
Service SA can still register light trailers not on the RAV until 31 August 2023, provided that a signed contract of sale or invoice can be supplied showing that the trailer was sold to the customer before 1 July 2023.
To register a trailer from 1 September 2023, the trailer must have an entry on the RAV. These trailers will still need to comply with all other applicable requirements.
For information on changes to the registration and inspection process, refer to the fact sheet - MR1594 - Light Trailer Manufacturing. (123.1 KB PDF)
Light vehicle towing and trailer regulations
There are a number of regulations that relate to how trailers (GVM 4.5 tonnes or less) are to be loaded and towed by a vehicle.
Read Light vehicle towing and trailer regulations for information on how to use trailers effectively and safely.
Safety tips - towing a caravan
When towing
- Allow for the extra length and width of your caravan when entering or passing traffic.
- Apply the accelerator, brakes and steering smoothly and gently to avoid caravan sway, especially in wet or slippery conditions.
- Avoid applying the towing vehicle's brakes if the caravan starts to sway or snake.
- Slow down when larger vehicles pass in either direction to reduce swaying of the caravan caused by wind buffering.
- Keep to the hard road surface where possible as the wheels that enter a soft edge may cause the caravan to sway excessively with possible loss of control.
- Maintain an increased distance between you and the vehicle in front to allow for a longer stopping distance.
- Engage a lower gear in both manual and automatic vehicles to increase vehicle control and reduce brake strain when travelling down hill.
- Pull over regularly, where areas are provided, to allow following vehicles to overtake.
- Slow down when travelling over bumpy roads or at rail crossings.
- Reverse with a person outside the vehicle watching the rear of the caravan, if possible.
- Be aware that towing is more stressful than normal driving and more likely to cause fatigue, therefore more rest stops should be planned.
- Use your side and rear view mirrors to give you good visibility along the full length of the towing vehicle on both sides.
Before departing
Make sure:
- tyre pressure is correct on the caravan (including spare wheels) - if in doubt, check with your local tyre dealer
- the tyres on the caravan have legal tread depth and the tyre casings are not cracked or perished
- wheel nuts on the caravan are all tightened to the manufacturer's specifications
- coupling socket and ball match each other in size
- coupling is correctly and securely fastened
- safety chains are correctly connected
- caravan light connections are secure and that all lights work
- lights, number plate and registration label are clearly visible
- load distribution between towing vehicle and the caravan are correct and properly balanced, front to rear and side to side
- wheel chocks and jack stands are working in case tyre changes are required
- gas cylinders in your caravan are turned off and that the refrigerator door is closed
- any roll-out awning is stored away and locked in the travel position
- front and rear corner stabilisers are in the up position
- hand brake of the caravan has been correctly released
- check the caravan wheel bearings are correctly adjusted and lubricated
- where brakes are fitted check the brakes are operating correctly on all axles of the caravan
- roof hatches, windows and stone shields are secure
- 240v electrical cord has been disconnected and stored away
- TV antenna is in the travel position
- limit the amount of load in the boot of the towing vehicle
- ensure that there are no loose items in either the caravan or the towing vehicle that could upset the balance of the caravan or injure vehicle occupants should they become unrestrained
- remove the jockey wheel from its clamp and store it in the boot of the car or caravan, or if it is a swivel mount variety, lock it in the travelling position.
During the trip
Ensure:
- couplings and chains are still correctly fastened
- caravan brakes are operating correctly and wheel bearings are not overheating
- during rest stops, to hold the back of a hand near each caravan wheel to feel if an even amount of heat is coming from each wheel. High temperatures may indicate sticking brakes, or wheel bearing failure
- caravan connections are still secure and that the lights are working
- tyres are inflated to the correct pressure
- all items in the towing vehicle and caravan are still secure and have not come loose
- any roll-out awning is properly locked in the travel position
- side mirrors give a clear view of the road behind the caravan.
Loaded mass
The loaded mass of your caravan must not exceed any of these:
- the capacity of the tow bar
- the maximum towing mass specified by the towing vehicle's manufacturer
- the maximum ball weight specified by the towing vehicle's manufacturer.
