At minimum, what options and features are required to get a camper van RVIA certified? As I understand, the van needs "sleeping, cooking, and bathroom facilities", but I wasn't sure how flexible that definition was. Is a sink, stove, fridge and porta potti all necessary?
It would be nice to save some money on insurance with the RVIA certification.
I don't know that it is possible to RVIA certify a vehicle if it wasn't made by a manufacturer that was already RVIA certified. From their website:
Quote:
The Standards Department has maintained as its primary goal the enhancement of safety through the monitoring of the member manufacturer's pledge to build units to these adopted standards.
It sounds more like you are asking about the requirements to insure your van as an RV as opposed to a passenger vehicle. I have found that those requirements are largely determined by the insurer.
Steve in L.A.
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2010 Red EB50 V10, Quadvan 4WD (El Guapo Rojo)
1978 VW Westfalia Champagne Edition (Pepe - gone, but not forgotten)
OK thanks. So there's no official process or documentation that establishes your van as a Class B RV? Doesn't this need to be established for DMV registration purposes?
OK thanks. So there's no official process or documentation that establishes your van as a Class B RV? Doesn't this need to be established for DMV registration purposes?
Every DMV is different, but ultimately none of mine have cared two licks what it is. Well except that one, and she only cared about the $ amount, which seriously jacked me. Currently registered as a pickup. Go figure, I don't argue with the lady behind the counter.
My impression of the RVIA standards (since they are coming from a manufacturer's association) is to set standards that can be used to avoid competition with manufacturers who might produce inferior products ("Yes, the Model XX from ___ is cheaper but it doesn't meet the RVIA standards") and to provide some liability protection ("Our vehicles meet all RVIA standards").
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Jack
'01 Ford EB50p Quigley 4WD
RVIA certification just means the RV meets some established guidelines for quality. Insurers and the DMV aren't going to care about the RVIA sticker or certification. What they WILL want to know is how it qualifies to be called an RV. SMB has details on that here (scroll about half-way down the page)