CHECK FOR THE RVIA SEAL WHEN BUYING AN RV

RESTON, Va. -- Planning to buy a recreation vehicle (RV) for more enjoyable family travel and transportation. If so, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) urges you to check for the RVIA seal before buying.

The oval-shaped seal prominently displayed on the exterior of motorhomes, travel trailers, truck campers and folding camping trailers means the manufacturer certifies compliance with more than 500 safety specifications for electrical, plumbing, heating and fore and life safety established under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A119.2 Recreation Vehicle Standard.

The black and silver seal displayed on the exterior of conversion vehicles means the converter self-certifies compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and the standard for low voltage systems in conversion vehicles (ANSI/RVIA. 12). For RVIA members who produce conversion vehicles with at least one component falling subject to plumbing, heating, or 120-volt electrical requirements, displaying the oval-shaped seal is mandatory while displaying the van seal becomes optional.

RVIA is a national association representing the manufacturers and component parts suppliers, who together produce 95 percent of all RVs manufactured in the U.S. All RVIA member manufacturers, as a condition of membership, are subject to periodic, unannounced plant inspections by RVIA representatives to assure they maintain an acceptable level of compliance with applicable safety standards. Members who fail to maintain an acceptable level of compliance can be expelled from the association, prohibiting display of RVIA seals on their products.