The official who stopped us and insisted that we have to have extended side mirrors which I raised under the thread on side mirrors HERE further proceeded to ask why my reverse lights on the van not working.

Told me that if the vehicle has lights on it then they have to be operational and I must get them seen to. Again he never charged me but was insistent that I get them functional.

Does anyone have their reverse lights working on your van ?

I don‘t know of anyone who has their reverse lights working on the caravan.

I know the 7 pin plug connector has a spare connection but many utilise this connector for their fridges.

This is an good example of how "they" realy know their work.  And in the end when you get a person that is determined that you must fix the reverse lights and gives you a fine, you will have to go to great lenghts to prove that he/she is wrong.

I have never come across a van or trailer that has reversing lights. 

HOWEVER : SANS 2023/ECE R23 indicates that reversing lights are required on power driven vehicles and trailers.   The term trailer includes a caravan.   The SANS spec is included in the compulsory specs for caravans and trailers (par 3.1.1)

The 7-pin connector type S is deemed to be obsolete and a 13-pin is the new spec.  The 7-pin made provision for reversing lights in pin 5. 

I just Googled the SANS reference and came across the above bits of info.

There are thus a number of us that have a problem with our vans !!!!

What is the purpose of the bright reverse light?

To show others you are reversing ? or/and

To see behind you at night?

That officer is being absolutely pedantic.

It sounds like what you encounter In Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Looking for the smallest excuse.

Did he ask you about your reflective vests….one per occupant? And for a fire extinguisher which must be SABS approved and with a service record which is up to date? And vehicle registration papers….the original!

Just smile and wave.

No reverse light on my 7 pin plug?

My woonwa en kar het alby padvaardigheids setifikaate gekry met presies soos hulle nou is. Met  geen reverse ligte  op die woonwa nie. Die kombinasie is getoets vir koppeling en ligte se werking en is af geteeken.

Die inspector het my ook nie gevra vir extended spiels nie.

Die mannetjie krap net.

Ek het gou op internet gaan loer. Ek dink daar is verwarring weens taalgebruik by wetstoepassers.

Eerstens moet ons onthou dat SANS nie voertuig regulasie is nie. Dit is south African National Standards, wat voorskryf waaraan gloeilampe aan voertuie en waens moet voldoen.

Die wetgewende voorskrif wat ek gesien het, noem SLEGS die volgende ligte op 'n woonwa----remligte, normale rooiligte [tail], flikkerligte en nommerplaatligte.

Ek is oortuig dat alle vervaardigers wat woonwaens en boswaens bou/bemark, die regulasies deeglik ken, en daarby hou.   

BrianB wrote:

The official who stopped us and insisted that we have to have extended side mirrors which I raised under the thread on side mirrors HERE further proceeded to ask why my reverse lights on the van not working.

Told me that if the vehicle has lights on it then they have to be operational and I must get them seen to. Again he never charged me but was insistent that I get them functional.

Does anyone have their reverse lights working on your van ?

I don‘t know of anyone who has their reverse lights working on the caravan.

I know the 7 pin plug connector has a spare connection but many utilise this connector for their fridges.

Nee wat....ek dink hierdie spietkop wou net die geleentheid geskep het om jou mooi karavaan van nader af te besigtirg

Speak to a roadworthy inspector and ask him if it has been or is now a requirement for certification?

Or take your combination rig to them and have it inspected.

I honestly doubt it.

Nou met my woonwa-bouer vriend gesels. Hy dra geen kennis dat woonwaens truligte moet hê nie.

Daai spietkop soek net 'n bribe

Just for feedback wrt the comments above.   

There are two types of 7-PIN connectors - a type S and type N.  On the type S,  pin 5 is for the reversing lights.  I have no idea what the difference is and which type is fitted on my Swing.  

The specs for caravans do not form part of the Road Regulations.   There is a separate Act (5 of 2008) issued by the Dept of Trade and Industry, etc, that covers compulsory specs for Vans.  The National Standard used by the SABS is included in that Act.  This is also used by SABS for the homologation of the Vans.    Thus surprising that a traffic inspector (or roadworthy inspector that mostly relies on the Road Regulations) will actually be aware of it.  It is also in this Act that the towball height and mass is stated.

The specs wrt lights originates from a United Nations standard as adopted by a European Commission. That is what the ECE R23 reference in the SABS standard means.

Is anyone visiting the Caravan Show at the end of this month at Gallagher?     If so ask the caravan fundi's there about the reversing lights,  the 13-PIN plug as well as Lithium extinguishers on the lithium battery equipped vans and give feedback here.

Lekker kamp en die van ons wat tuisbly is erg jaloers op enigiemand wie tans iewers, veral die wildtuine, kamp.

Groete

We have towed caravans for over 47 years and been stopped for inspection many times but never has any one of those inspections questioned the reverse lights. I cannot even remember if our first vans, Caravette 5 and 6 and the Regal even had reverse lights never mind if they were functional or not. 

Ek wil ook net bevestig wat Wessel genoem het.  Daar is 'n groot verskil tussen die Pad Verkeers Wet en die se Regulasies en dan nou SANS. 

Die Pad Verkeers Wet bepaal wat jy moet doen of wat daar moet wees in welke die situasie waar jy jou bevind.  Die SANS gee aanduiding van die standaard waar volgens dit moet wees.

So kort om die Pad Wet sê jy moet ligte hê wat die pad vorentoe verlig as jy in die nag ry en dan die SANS dui aan dat dit bv Wit lig moet wees en volgens 'n sekere helderheid.

So indie geval kan jy vervolg word as jy geen ligte het nie en as die pad wet regulasie spesifiek die SANS aanhaal wat noem dat die ligte wit moet wees en 'n seker helderheid is kan jy ook 'n boete kry as jy geel ligte het of dit baie dof is.

Die geel ligte is 'n gegewe want dis nie wit nie maar die helderheid is moeilik om te bewys.

So in die bespreking geval is daar nie 'n regulasie wat aandui dat jy tru ligte moet hê op 'n sleepwa nie.  So enige SANS spesifikasie wat handel oor truligte is nie van toepassing nie.

Dis maar hoe ek dit sien. 

My Slipstream, Gypsey, Penta and Exclusive have/had reverse lights but they were not wired nor were there globes in them.

BrianB wrote:

The official who stopped us and insisted that we have to have extended side mirrors which I raised under the thread on side mirrors HERE further proceeded to ask why my reverse lights on the van not working.

Told me that if the vehicle has lights on it then they have to be operational and I must get them seen to. Again he never charged me but was insistent that I get them functional.

Does anyone have their reverse lights working on your van ?

I don‘t know of anyone who has their reverse lights working on the caravan.

I know the 7 pin plug connector has a spare connection but many utilise this connector for their fridges.

• Act: National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 (specifically the Regulations promulgated thereunder).
• Regulation: Regulation 175 (Reversing Lamps) of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000.
• Compulsory Specification: VC8026 (Compulsory Specification for Vehicles of Category O1 and O2 – Caravans and Light Trailers). 

1. Requirement for Reversing Lamps: The regulations indicate that reversing lights are required on trailers to comply with standard ECE R23 (incorporated into SA Law via SANS 20023/ECE R23).
2. Functionality: If fitted, reversing lamps must emit a white light, be under the direct control of the driver, and operate only when the towing vehicle is reversing or about to reverse.
3. Maximum Number: Not more than two reversing lamps may be fitted to a vehicle.
4. Weight Classifications: Generally, trailers and caravans with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) exceeding 750 kg need to have functional reverse lights.
5. Wiring and Connectors: While 7-pin (12N) plugs were common, they often did not support reverse lights (which require pin 5). Modern 13-pin connectors, which are part of the new specifications, accommodate reversing lights.
6. Safety Regulation: No person may drive a vehicle on a public road without its lights fitted in accordance with the Regulations and in working order. 

Swanie, ek het gou na die verwysings op internet gaan kyk.

Onthou, die oomblik as jy sien "AI' gee die antwoord, is dit oop vir verkeerde interpretasie.

Regulation 175 vermeld, verwys spesifiek na 'n "motor vehicle", dit is nie 'n woonwa nie, want woonwa is nie "self propelled" nie. Die regulasie gebruik die woorde " this vehicle may be fitted with reverse light""   Dit is nie 'n moet nie. Indien jy egter wil truligte, of enige ligte aanbring, gee die regulasie net die tegniese spesifikasie waarin ligte en gloeilampe moet voldoen.

VC8026: Dit gee die spesifikasies vir die ligte volgens die onderskeie SANS standaarde.

Kyk AI se bewoording by "Functionality. "If fitted"

Soos ek gister ook genoem het, ek twyfel of enige vervaardiger 'n woonwa/treiler sal bou en verkoop, wat nie aan die wet voldoen nie. Ek het reeds 'n woonwa-vervaardiger gebel, en hy sê onomwonde dat truligte nie verpligtend is op waens nie.

Ek is seker dom, maar truligte op die woonwa gaan niks help nie, want daar is nie 'n agter ruit aan die woonwa waardeur jy enige iets kan sien wat die truligte verlig word nie. 

1Pierre2 wrote:

Ek is seker dom, maar truligte op die woonwa gaan niks help nie, want daar is nie 'n agter ruit aan die woonwa waardeur jy enige iets kan sien wat die truligte verlig word nie. 

Dit is waarom trokke n’ buzzer het vir reverse. Dit is net om ander te waarsku.

Die truligte het geen doel op n’ trok of woonwa nie. Jy kan tog niks daar sien nie.

mulderpm wrote:

My Slipstream, Gypsey, Penta and Exclusive have/had reverse lights but they were not wired nor were there globes in them.

My lights are as per Paul's pic above.

My AI search says (taillights required generally, not trailer/caravan specific)

Here is a breakdown of tail light requirements in South Africa:

Rear Position/Tail Lights: Must be red.

Stop/Brake Lights: Must be red and emit a brighter light than the tail lights.

Direction Indicators (Rear): Must be amber (orange).

Reversing Lights: Must be white.

Rear Fog Lights: Must be red.

Registration Plate Lamp: Must be white.

There are 4 housings, 1 clear and 3 red. There is no place for "white reverse lights". The clear panel contains the 'Direction Indicator' with an Orange globe.

So ???

see my thread 

Rear-lights-on-Exclusive

Dankie Pierre en Paul, pragtige praktiese rede waarom dit nie verpligtend is nie.

Richard: jou inset [AI search] beskryf slegs die voorgeskrewe kleur aan.