CRVA monitors Tiny Homes

The Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association (CRVA) has been closely monitoring the “tiny home” movement in Canada, especially after hearing references by some builders in their advertising materials that the units are now being touted online as “tiny home RVs”.

According to a statement, CRVA is adamant about conserving the RV industry’s integrity, and is most concerned with the safety and compliance of the construction of tiny home RVs, most of which are not being manufactured under either the CSA Z240 RV Series or CSA Z-241Park Model Trailers series certification required in Canada. The organization is also troubled with the units intended for full-time residential use which is in complete and total conflict with the temporary or seasonal definition of an RV.

CRVA’s concerns were significantly heightened recently when made aware of a series of seminars which are being offered in Canada by an American Manufacturer of Tiny Homes with a planned agenda to educate consumers on how to design and construct their own tiny home RV.

“CRVA works closely with accredited companies to develop the quality standards and codes specifically designed for all types of recreation vehicles to ensure compliance and safety to our consumers so needless to say any manufacturer promoting the ability for a consumer to construct their own RV, unbound of any codes whatsoever is extremely alarming to CRVA,” said Shane Devenish, executive director of the CRVA. “RV consumers need assurance that their purchase is safe for their family and verifying that their RV is compliant with the applicable building codes should always be paramount in their minds.”

Devenish also noted that contrary to a number of tiny home manufacturer website testimonials, RV consumers are unable to obtain financing or insurance on their “tiny home RV” through traditional RV industry sources and campgrounds are now keenly on the lookout for non-compliant units entering their premises.

“The Canadian Camping and RV Council (CCRVC) have made our members fully aware of the potential threat to their campground and the RV industry in general if we do not monitor each RV unit that occupies our campsites” said Robert Trask, chairman of the CCRVC. “We want to do our best to ensure that we are never put in a position whereby there is a tragedy involving a non-compliant “tiny home RV” in one of our campgrounds.”

Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA) of Canada President Eleonore Hamm stated, “Canadian RV dealers must comply with the applicable provincial motor vehicle safety requirement and regulations. Should units not be built to a recognized standard then dealerships cannot sell or service these types of units. Consumers should be aware that non-compliant units could pose a safety threat.”