Interpretation ID: aiam0943
RVI Washington Counsel
Recreational Vehicle Institute
Inc.
Suite 406
1140 Connecticut Avenue
Washington
D.C. 20006;
Dear Mr. Humphreys: This is in reply to your letter of December 12, 1972, concernin Standard No. 126. In essence you object to the requirements effective January 1, 1973, that the camper manufacturers furnish the camper purchaser a statement advising him to select a truck 'whose manufacturer recommends a cargo center of gravity that will contain the camper's center of gravity when it is installed.' You base your objection upon the feeling that use of such language may mislead dealers and purchasers since camper manufactures are not required to provide center of gravity information until September 1, 1973. You ask if it is permissible to add the qualifying phrase '(if the camper has a center of gravity indicated)' to the language quoted and required by Standard No. 126.; We anticipate that many camper manufacturers will be able to provid center of gravity information before September 1, 1973. Inclusion of the language you request would, in our judgement, discourage prospective purchasers of a truck-camper combination from searching for a proper match if the camper at hand which he is examining does not have a center of gravity indicated. The language in question is an advisory caution only, and in our judgement does not impose an unreasonable burden on any of the parties concerned. For these reasons, Your request is denied.; If the required language is included, however, a camper manufacturer i not prohibited from also including a notation that center of gravity information is required to be furnished only with campers manufactured on or after September 1, 1973.; Sincerely, Lawrence R. Schneider, Chief Counsel