What is RVIA Seal on the Sticker Sheet?

[ancha71]

What is the RVIA Seal (usually $135)on the sticker price sheet? Is this similar to the documentation preparation line item when you purchase a car? I've seen it on most of the units I have been looking at.

[KanTC]

Quickest explanation... RVIA is an organization... Recreation Vehicle Industry Association http://www.rvia.org

As per their website [quoted, in part]: "RVIA maintains an inspection program to monitor compliance of the plumbing, heating, fire and life safety, and the electrical systems of the RVs manufactured by its members in conformance to the ANSI/NFPA 1192 standard for RVs."

The sticker/seal would indicate that the RV manufacturer (is a member, and) has met the requirements in construction & completing the RV. Familiar examples: Fire Extinguisher & escape windows.

Terri, the Chevy co-pilot :)

[JRTJH]

You can read about the RVIA here: http://www.rvia.org/

Here are a couple of quotes from the "about RVIA" page:

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) is the national trade association representing recreation vehicle (RV) manufacturers and their component parts suppliers who together build more than 98 percent of all RVs produced in the U.S.

RVIA maintains an inspection program to monitor compliance of the plumbing, heating, fire and life safety, and the electrical systems of the RVs manufactured by its members in conformance to the ANSI/NFPA 1192 standard for RVs. RVIA also provides an on-going Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) education program for its members.

Essentially the RVIA sticker on the side of the RV certifies that the manufacturer built the RV to RVIA standards and that RVIA and the manufacturer will monitor the RV model/brand and report any deficiencies/safety defects to the appropriate federal agencies which track these problems "for the consumer"....

Pretty much, the $135 "fee" goes to pay for the organization, the manufacturer's costs in compliance with the organization and in administrative fees associated with belonging to the organization and maintaining records required to follow RVIA guidelines. There are some similar "stickers and fees" in the automobile industry. One that comes to mind is SAE standards. The Society of Automotive Engineering establishes standards for manufacturing cars/trucks, but there's no "sticker to certify compliance" and no "cost for the sticker" listed on every car. Possibly, (my thoughts) putting the sticker on every RV is a way to "charge another $135 that goes into the manufacturer's "profit margin". However, without the sticker, it would be difficult to get financing from most sources since banks require a "standardized product" before they will loan money, so without the sticker, it would be difficult to find a bank to finance an RV loan.

RVIA is a "privately funded organizational watchdog organization" somewhat like JCAHO in hospitals and the National Fire Protection Agency in the insurance/fire prevention arena. There are a large number of other privately funded "watchdog" agencies, far too many to even begin to name them here.

[chuckster57]

Possibly, (my thoughts) putting the sticker on every RV is a way to "charge another $135 that goes into the manufacturer's "profit margin". However, without the sticker, it would be difficult to get financing from most sources since banks require a "standardized product" before they will loan money, so without the sticker, it would be difficult to find a bank to finance an RV loan.

If you look at the seal, each one has it's own "serial" number. I wonder if that number is tracked and that's the reason for the $135.00

[wahoonc]

Other than a piece of paper for CYA on the part of the manufacturers. IMHO in reality the RVIA seal does nothing. Look at the construction quality and the issues of many current RV's. Screws run through wiring, improper wiring, incorrect wire sizing, improper ducting, etc, etc. From what I gather reading the RVIA website it is up to the manufacturer to inspect and comply with the standards... nothing like self policing when profit margin is the leading parameter.

Aaron:cool:

[ancha71]

I appreciate the great response.

[fla-gypsy]

A private industry wide self policing organization could be a wonderful tool but sadly it seems most of the money raised is for their GoRving advertising campaign as it has done nothing for RV quality. How many makers have ever had their "certification" pulled by RVIA? I'm guessing "zero" and thus the problem.

[wesaysoracing]

Several years ago , our TT was checked to see if it had an RVIA seal before we could camp there, when asked they said something about their insurance requirments