Community Forums

Georgia boy · 05-02-2017, 01:12 PM

Just wondering what I need to do to legally manufacture campers in the state of Georgia. I've looked all over and can't really get an answer.would love some advise.thx!

**JohnRR** · 05-02-2017, 01:31 PM

How about contacting your State Attorney General Office or Chamber of Commerce office?

Gary RVRoamer · 05-02-2017, 03:42 PM

If you are going to manufacture a "vehicle", you need to register with the feds and get a manufacturer Id assigned. And comply with all FMVSS standards that apply to that class of vehicle (which includes most trailers).

You might start with this pamphlet:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.do..._march2014.pdf

You may be able to side-step much of that if you build on a pre-manufactured chassis that already has a VIN, issued by a certified chassis builder.

Old-Biscuit · 05-02-2017, 04:22 PM

Start Here.....ask questions
The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association: RVIA Main Site Home

Bamaman · 05-04-2017, 08:51 PM

Manufacturing an RV is actually a misnomer. For the most part, building RV's is taking components from outside manufacturers (like Lippert) and assembling them. So the RV business is more assembly rather than manufacturing.

And all of those RV components are coming out of Elkhart, Indiana. Moving them to other parts of the country is very inefficient, and that's why most RV's are made in Northern Indiana.

Any RV's made elsewhere are going to be high dollar custom rigs or a few very large builders like Iowa's Winnebego or Alabama's Tiffin Industries.

The only new RV builder I know of is Vanleigh in Northeast Mississippi. The Tiffin family is setting up their grandson in the fifth wheel business, and he's buying components through Tiffin's suppliers a short distance away. Tiffin Industries doesn't sell fifth wheel trailers, so Vanleigh immediately had a bunch of Allegro dealerships signed to sell Vanleigh trailers. In their first two years, they appear to be doing just fine--and are customer driven.

Unless you've got something special to offer the RV world, forget going into the RV building business. The industry is still in the process of being consolidated after 2008 just about finished off all the manufacturers AND dealers.

Electra 225 · 05-04-2017, 09:07 PM

He might be planning to build one off specialty units not mass produced, (as a niche RV). Sounds pretty cool.

Best luck to you......if you have a passion, follow it.

By the way.....

Georgia boy · 05-06-2017, 06:56 AM

Thanks for the replies!yes Electra that's exactly what I want to do.I have a design I that I've had drawn out.I would like to build one and see how people like it and how it sells before I go diving in to it.maybe there's a way I could buil it and have it registered as an rv.

Electra 225 · 05-06-2017, 09:46 AM

Sounded like you were leaning towards towable?
.

Georgia boy · 05-06-2017, 10:52 AM

Yes,pull behind 20-30'

Electra 225 · 05-06-2017, 11:21 AM

Cool. Ever hear of the "Wayzalot"?
www.wayzalot.com

You may find some inspiration there, interesting story. The organizations mentioned earlier is good advice. Ask questions, a plan will take shape.

Keep us posted!

Best regards,
W.D.