This unit of competency applies to those involved in the manufacture, service and repair, or sale of recreational vehicles. It may be applied in different workplaces, sectors and circumstances.

This unit assumes possession by the driver of a current driving licence. Driving must be carried out in compliance with the licence requirements and regulations of the relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority. Type of vehicle driven must comply with that permitted by driver's licence.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Assess safe towing weight of recreational vehicle

1.1. Calculate the gross weight of recreational vehicle and determine aggregate mass

1.2. Check towing capacity of towing vehicle

1.3. Check and adhere to tow bar capacity of towing vehicle

1.4. Confirm the weight ratio of recreational and towing vehicle as safe in accordance with state/territory requirements and regulations

2. Prepare for towing of recreational vehicle

2.1. Prepare recreational vehicle for towing

2.2. Conduct pre-operational checks on towing vehicle and recreational vehicle

2.3. Carry out any minor routine repairs

2.4. Report any complex faults and repairs to appropriate person and coordinate repairs

2.5. Identify and act on relevant statutory regulations to reduce possible injury to self and others

2.6. Attach recreational vehicle to towing vehicle in accordance with manufacturer and state/territory specifications, requirements and regulations

2.7. Check visibility and adjust position of mirrors, if necessary

3. Safely tow recreational vehicle on an open road

3.1. Identify and comply with national and state/territory road rules and laws

3.2. Show courtesy and consideration to other road users

3.3. Manoeuvre recreational vehicle in forward and reverse directions and park in accordance with requirements, manufacturer instructions and traffic regulations

3.4. Identify any driving hazards and avoid or control them, using appropriate defensive driving techniques

3.5. Follow appropriate procedures in the event of a driving emergency

3.6. Constantly monitor and act upon traffic and road conditions to enable safe operation and ensure no injury to people or damage to property, equipment, loads and facilities

3.7. Reverse recreational vehicle to parking position, maintaining visibility and achieving accurate positioning

4. Safely tow vehicle in the workplace

4.1. Attach recreational vehicle to towing vehicle correctly and safely

4.2. Check visibility and adjust position of mirrors, if necessary

4.3. Identify any obstacles or hazards in planned route and remove or avoid, as appropriate

4.4. Safely tow recreational vehicle to required space and reverse in carefully

4.5. Position recreational vehicle as required

Required skills

Required skills include:

using tools and equipment correctly and safely in simple, routine maintenance and servicing of recreational vehicle in preparation for towing

monitoring and anticipating traffic and other hazards and taking appropriate action

using safe driving techniques relative to conditions

calculating weights and towing capacity of vehicles

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

state/territory road codes and laws

weight-to-vehicle towing ratios set by state/territory authorities and manufacturers

general duty of care

occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations relevant to minor servicing and towing recreational vehicles

procedures to be followed in the event of a driving emergency

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects of assessment

Evidence of the following is critical:

identifying and following enterprise procedures, and state/territory and federal legislative requirements, regarding driving on public roads and towing of recreational vehicles

safely manoeuvring and towing recreational vehicle according to OHS requirements

driving on an open road and in the workplacein a safe and courteous manner

complying with relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority driving regulations and license requirements pertaining to the class of vehicle

following OHS policies and procedures relevant to driving and towing a recreational vehicle

identifying driving hazards and using appropriate defensive driving techniques.

Context of assessment and resource implications

Assessment must ensure:

project or work activities that allow the candidate to demonstrate towing a recreational vehicle over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts

project or work activities that allow the candidate to address a range of typical minor routine repair or service needs in preparation for towing a recreational vehicle.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Road transport situations

Road transport situations may include:

operations conducted at day or night

typical weather conditions

on the open road

on a private road

while at a depot, base or warehouse

while at a client's workplace or worksite

Recreational vehicle

Recreational vehicles may include:

caravan

pop-top caravan

camper trailer

tent trailer

5th wheeler

slide-on camper

Towing vehicle

Towing vehicles may include:

2 wheel drive

4 wheel drive

truck

van

specialised towing truck/unit

tractor

Prepare recreational vehicle for towing

Preparing recreational vehicles for towing may include:

safely positioning and securing:

fittings

furnishings materials

components

disconnecting:

power leads

water pipes/hoses and drains

electrical leads

ensuring that any stabilising fixtures are correctly positioned for travel

The purpose of the preparation may include:

to eliminate danger

eliminate potential damage

avoiding weight shift during towing

evenly distributing weight over wheels

avoiding other problems with towing

Braking systems

Braking systems may include:

hydraulic

electric

Pre-operational checks

Pre-operational checks may include:

visual check of vehicle

checking and topping up fluid levels

checking tyre pressures

checking operation of vehicle lights and indicators

checking brakes

Minor routine repairs

Minor routine repairs may include:

the replacement of blown globes in vehicle lights

replacement of broken belts

dealing with flat battery

replacement of blown fuses

replacement of coolant hose

repairing door mirrors

repairs to rear tail-light lens

changing of tyres

repair of tyre punctures

replacement of broken coolant hose

Vehicle handling procedures

Vehicle handling procedures may include:

starting a vehicle

steering and manoeuvring a vehicle

accelerating and braking

positioning and stopping a vehicle

reversing a vehicle

correct hand positions on wheel

operating vehicle controls, instruments and indicators

using defensive driving techniques

managing engine performance

Driving hazards

Driving hazards may include:

wet and iced roads

steep inclines or sharp curves on the road

uneven surfaces

oil, rocks, mud and water on road

animals and objects on road

pedestrians and children

trees and branches

other vehicles, recreational vehicles or tents

foggy, windy or rainy conditions

flooded sections of road

fire in vehicle

leaking fuel

faulty brakes

parked vehicles on the road

faulty steering mechanism on vehicle

wet/oily work area surface

fixed workplace hazards

movable workplace hazards

other workers

Road transport situations

Road transport situations may include:

positioning recreational vehicle

ensuring vehicle is level and parallel

ensuring vehicle is within reach of desired services/equipment

Occupational health and safety (OHS)

OHS may include:

safe worksite work practices

safe use of tools and equipment

safe handling of materials

use of personal protective equipment

Unit sector

This unit contains employability skills.