�Rather than working through proper government procedures to change the building and safety codes for travel trailers, RVIA is now telling manufacturers it�s OK to build units that are not in compliance with established codes and that they can still receive RVIA inspection seals for these units,� said Bill Garpow, RPTIA�s executive director. �We think dealers should be alarmed by RVIA�s action because if they sell 400-square foot travel trailers that violate state or federal laws they will be putting themselves and their customers at risk.�

RVIA�s board of directors approved a resolution effective on Jan. 1 to increase the 320 square foot maximum for travel trailers to 400 square feet. The resolution contradicts existing resolutions in at least 15 states, which require RVs to be built in compliance with the ANSI/NFPA 1192 Standard. The states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Nevada, Missouri, Ohio, Utah, Tennessee and Washington.

Garpow said RPTIA took out a full-page ad in today�s Elkhart Truth to alert RV dealers and consumers to the risks behind RVIA�s action, which bypassed established government procedures for changing building and safety codes. Both RVIA and RPTIA maintain inspection programs to monitor and enforce their members� compliance with established building and safety codes.

�Obviously, RVIA is trying to allow its member manufacturers to tap into the destination camping market, a market that is primarily served by 400- square foot recreational park trailers,� Garpow said. �But all RVIA has done is prove to dealers and consumers as well as the finance and insurance industries that it�s willing to violate its own standards in pursuit of the almighty dollar.�

RVIA acknowledged in its Dec. 14, 2007 RVIA Standards News Bulletin RV- 34/07 that its resolution is problematic. For example, the resolution states:

• �It is a variance to the ANSI/NFPA 1192 Standard� (i.e. the Standard is not applicable to these travel trailers). �Both Nebraska and Washington have indicated they will not accept this RVIA policy.�

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• �Thirteen states, on terminating their RV oversight programs, enacted laws requiring RVs to be built in compliance with ANSI/NFPA 1192.�

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• �New Jersey will also probably be an issue State, since they have been active in adding new park trailer regulations to their program.�

Garpow said RV dealers who want to offer their customers 400 square foot trailers that are in compliance with existing government codes should consider recreational park trailers bearing the RPTIA seal. These vehicles, which are built and certified to the ANSI A119.5 Standard, are legal and acceptable in RV parks and jurisdictions everywhere.

For more information regarding the growth of the park trailer industry, photos of park trailers and contact information for RPTIA-member manufacturers, please visit the association�s website at www.RPTIA.com or contact Bill Garpow at (770) 251-2672.
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Contact:
RPTIA
William Garpow
Executive Director
(770) 251-2672
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