What good is the RVIA

[Izzyblueye]

cb5300: You are absolutely right and RVIA does not work for you as the consumer. I refused to pay their fee with Tom Raper several years ago. Rapers sales manager tried to convince me this organization was in my best interest. He failed, and I refused to pay it. It was a deal breaker. They relented,I was informed later by an attorney they are required to explain what every charge is for up front, if it is not for goods or services you want, then you do not have to pay it.

[traveler of california]

Most of the replies I've read appear very short sighted. If you keep a rig for 5 years that amounts to a little over a dollar a month for one of the main groups that lobby for our lifestyles very existence. That is little to ask.

With the loonies we have in congress, how long before the green wackos would outlaw large vehicles as wasteful and unnecessary as most of them don't know a thing about us. Think about it.

Complaining about $78 when you buy a rig is ridiculous. If you want to complain, let's talk sales/use/personal property taxes and registration -- now we're talking big bucks.

Nick, Journey '01

[Ecker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Frankie:
My thoughts are this.Imagine if there wasnt a body looking after the manufacturing of rv's.The oem's have to at least live up to the standards of the RVIA association to get the label.You see what they are getting away with now.I guess that label makes me feel warm inside.I am posting to give a little insight on how some of us think. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
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One correction - they are not RVIA standards they are as noted the NFPA (National Firefighters Protection Association) standards wich are adopted by ANSI as well. The RVIA does do random checks to ensure compliance but I don't know how well that is done nor what is done if they find non-compliance except possibly threaten to not approve the use of label. The label is required by many states so the lack of label would effectively stop sales.

[cb5300]

I think we need a group (a consumer watch dog so to speak)that would fight for the RVers, and try to get the manufacturers to take a little pride in what they build, they would need to have a forum or something that dealers and manufacturers could be exposed. All this would be to protect the RVers. If you knew that the dealer down the road from you was going to "break it off in you" every time you turned around I would think that you would go to a different dealer. On the other hand, if you knew the dealer was going to do everything possible to help you (good customer service)then you would buy from him. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we need something to police the industry, and that my friend would be worth paying the $78.00 to.

I guess another question to ask would be if the RVIA puts their little sticker on your coach and collects your $78.00 and if something bad happens because of an unsafe RV (like the water connector above your electric hook up, would/could you name the RVIA in the law suit? Something else to ponder on as you travel the road of live.

[Izzyblueye]

What makes you think they lobby for you on anything. What they are is an RV industry trade group. They look after the interest of the RV industry. A PAC group if you will or a quasi Chamber of Commerce type organization with in and for the RV manufacturers. Consumers need their own group to represent themselves both with Congress and the manufacturers, one that is RV specific.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

I'm certainly not siding with the RVIA, but correct me if I'm wrong. I thought the RVIA was, as Leo said above, a standards group primarily responsible for RV safety to the public. Why would any of us think they have anything to do with Quality Control? Isn't their purpose just to make sure propane gas lines, electrical circuits, carbon dioxide alarms, etc. and similar types of systems found on RV's are designed and installed correctly? Why would they tell a manufacturer how they must actually build a wall, or install a window, or put enough screws into a panel?

[cb5300]

Then we're back to the manufacturer should be paying the fee and not us the consumer. Yeah I know that the fee would be hidden in there somewhere, but wouldn't it be nice to just once in your life to stand up to the "big boys" and say no I'm not taking this any more.

[Jestme13]

I wonder how my new coach got the $78 RVIA sticker of compliance, even though the manufacturer did not label my LP compartment, and even had a keyed lock on it ? So much for their BS standards. I think we are funding a good ole boys club on our dime. IMHO

[TXiceman]

RVIA is sort of like putting the monkeys in charge of the bananas in my opinion.

Ken

[cb5300]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jestme13:
I wonder how my new coach got the $78 RVIA sticker of compliance, even though the manufacturer did not label my LP compartment, and even had a keyed lock on it ? So much for their BS standards. I think we are funding a good ole boys club on our dime. IMHO </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

My thoughts exactly!

[DSouthw524]

The RVIA does standardize certain things for our benefit. Did it ever occur to you that you pay for the membership no matter if it is listed seperately on the sticker or not? Does the self regulated doctor's groups make sure thaat your doctor is always correct?

Have any of you had a home built? The regulations say basic requirements abuilder must meet. They do not insure that the builder uses good materials nor does it insure that the manufacturers of the equipment in the home doesn't have a defect.