TR Arnold tested two trailers for me, at a cost of about $1,000 each. They only did one leakdown test and one die-electric test, I did have to leave the electric and plumbing open(not hidden) for inspection.. Both test were done after the trailers were built, with exception to the trim to cover the systems. So I see that there is some assurances with TR Arnold.

That, I have always agreed with, now will someone please tell us what the assurances are from a RVIA sticker. I have said many, many times that a RVIA sticker says nothing about the safety of that particular trailer, a TR Arnold sticker does.

Now I think we are getting somewhere.....

I have been looking all day on websites that has anything to do with the RVIA or inspection or trailers and TR Arnold is the only one that I have seen that actual does the test and or inspection.  I found that the RVIA and a few others like Pacific West Assoc. have tech's or teaches the manufautre to check out the units during the building process. 

Here is something to think about.

Who's to say the guy that is checking that trailer on Monday morning, didn't have a bad weekend and carried his problems to work with him and slacked on his actual job duties to inspect that trailer right!  Instead, he is pissed about his weekend, so he is just going to blow off checking EVERTHING to get through the day and slap a sticker on the side of the trailer.

Gard, To answer your question. no, the inspector is not here to inspect every trailer... He comes every so often. But JBJ is here and works on every trailer with the workers. No LQ is built without him and no trailer leaves here without his final approval. So we do not have to worry about someone coming in after a bad weekend. We are a small mom & pop company and quality is very important to us. I can not tell you how other companies conduct business.

We not only have RVIA codes to follow but state, county and NEC codes along with others.

This is a country that people are free to make their own choices. If anyone feels that they have no need to be certified then that is their right and I do not fault them for their choice. We felt that we needed to be certified and follow the guide lines set forth by the industry not only to better ourselves but to make sure that we had all the knowledge we needed to put out a better, safer product.

I am sorry, I did not want this to become a big ordeal. I was just trying to answer a question.

 I am glad you are responding, someone from the inside of this business with information. I only build a few trailers per year, as a part time job. After a couple of years I decided to check into what it would require to be certified. I called RVIA and their plan was very confusing at best If you were going to build say 10 or less per year is wasn't even fesible. Like I have said many times before they are a trade organization, not a code enforcement organization. When I called TR Arnold they were very helpful, I even got to talk with the actual inspector for my area(he covers a few states), long story short they have a couple of ways to get a sticker on the trailers you build. You can have someone within your company certified by TR Arnold(sounds like JBJ took this route) or you can pay TR Arnold to inspect the trailers one at a time(I chose this route due to volume). I had the option of bringing the trailers to them, or they would come to me for an additional charge, but the trailers actually had an inspection preformed. I offer this to everyone I build a trailer for, I have had 2 people take me up on it.

I would be interested in knowing why JBJ chose to go the TR Arnold route instead of the RVIA route. I looked at JBJ's website and they are doing some very nice work. Thanks for all the insite ASJ.

HWBar, Well, when we decided that we needed to get certified we spoke with both. RVIA was a bit confusing and yes very pricey. T.R. Arnold was very helpfull, straight forward and gave us all the information on the extra testing equipment that we needed, literature and so on.  They have very stricked guide lines and we felt that they were the one to go with. Well worth the investment. They have been GREAT to work with. If you need anything they are there ready to answer any questions. And they keep you up on any changes to the codes. Our inspector is also very knowledgable as well and knows what he is looking at. We are very small and only build one package at a time so we only turn out one or two trailers a week depending to the size.

 It's great that you offer your customer a choice. 

 Good Luck, and I hope you have many trailers in your future. I pray that we all do...

There's nothing to be sorry for!!! You've gone out of your way, monetarily and time wise, to produce a superior product for your customers. You care about their safety. Your certification allows them to use your conversions in every camping facility. You should feel justifiably proud for your accomplishments. By not cutting corners as others do, and by conforming to industry standards, you can rest assured that your customers' safety is paramount.

Thank you for your responses. I'm sure your information will enlighten the forum members, as to the different qualities of interiors that are being produced. Looks aren't the only criteria that should be used in the purchase of a LQ. Safety and structural integrity should be included as well.

Gard

WOW!  Now this is more like it.  We can all get along.

Ok, if a trailer is inspected by a 3rd party company and a problem was to arise that is/was related to or part of the inspection process (something that was over looked or missed) Who would be liable? 

I hadn't thunk of that, are you looking to sue someone?

Not at all.  I found an interior package we like, but have talked ourself out of it because a few people has said not to buy a trailer with an interior package that is not "certified".  Just thinking ahead and out loud here.  If the trailer or interior is not certified, it should be up to the manufacture or installer to make it right if there was a problem.  But I didn't know if the 3rd party company would have any pull to get something fixed if there was a problem with a trailer or interior that they certified.  Or is this like a warranty on a new car and really doesn't mean anything for the most part?

BINGO.

I should have known that. 

Thanks for the help!

Does the government require the certifications on living quarter horse trailers? Are the trailers required to meet FMVSS safety requirements? I hear many different versions on this issue. No one seems to be sure. Any info would be appreciated.

trguy4820

Since there is no actual regulations on trailers or trailers with a LQ package, who's to say Fred Fudpucker buys a trailer, installs a nice looking LQ package then goes by his local dealership and pulls a RVIA or TR Arnold sticker off of a high dollar trailer and slaps on the side of his trailer and calls it "certified"??

I don't see where that is nessasary, the stickers aren't that pretty.

Pacific West and Assoc. is one, but when you check there website it takes you to RV digist.  So I'm not sure if they are an actual company or not.  I have seen there sticker on some steel LQ trailers.

Not about the stickers being pretty.  It is all about being albe to use that unit in an RV park without having any problems. 

Then after all the talk of certified trailers having a higher resale value, it looks like a trailer with no sticker is not going to be worth much money.

I have never had a problem hooking up to power anywhere, as far as the resale goes this trailer was 10 years old when I sold it for $35K.

NO STICKERS, ANYWHERE.

Yes, I did it, 14ft. shortwall in a 1996 4 Star. No Stickers. Sold it to the first person that looked at it.