ATM upgrade

Submitted: Monday, Apr 03, 2017 at 14:02

ThreadID: 134589 Views:6130 Replies:7 FollowUps:13

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Outback kid

Thought you may be interested. I have just had a mechanical engineer update the ATM on my caravan from 2.65 tonne to 3.1 tonne and one of the things he rejected was the hyland 3.5 tonne off road hitch. Apparently this hitch is not legal it dose not have the Australian standards stampeded on it and it apparently has had a few problems so $270.00 dollars later purchased an ARK 3.5 tonne extreme off road hitch which is currently being fitted . This was a very expensive operation $ 1700 to get the new compliance plate + and another $600.00 to have the A frame repaired where a shonky job was done by who ever fitted the Hyland Hitch the Van was second hand when we purchased it so we think the hyland coupling was fitted after market because the chassis had been oxyed to fit the bolts therefore did not pass the engineered test .The engineer said that the chassis of my van was one of the best constructed he had seen . not every van can have the ATM upgraded but had no hesitation with mine. This turned out to be a very expensive operation but i don't have to worry about overloading or being refused pay out by insurance company if I have an accident. Cheers Tony

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Reply By: Gundarooster - Monday, Apr 03, 2017 at 15:00

Reply By: Outback kid - Monday, Apr 03, 2017 at 19:44

Monday, Apr 03, 2017 at 19:44

Yes i have to take the van over the inspection pits then they will update the rego papers i am in Canberra and in Canberra you get ripped off for everything We have the highest rego cost in Australia. $505. to reg my 22 ft van.

I had my 1994 80 series upgraded from the 2500kg to 3.1 towing a few years back cost $1000.00 all that was needed was heavy duty tow bar

AnswerID: 609897

Follow Up By: GREG T11 - Monday, Apr 03, 2017 at 20:50

Monday, Apr 03, 2017 at 20:50

Please tell us you are not towing it with the 80 series !

FollowupID: 879782

Follow Up By: Tony C16 - Tuesday, Apr 04, 2017 at 05:44

Tuesday, Apr 04, 2017 at 05:44

I have been towing with the 80 for years been around Australia 3 times bit slow up steep hills other wise very good and 16 liters 100 l guess the factory turbo helps

FollowupID: 879785

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Tuesday, Apr 04, 2017 at 07:01

Tuesday, Apr 04, 2017 at 07:01

Hi Greg

What is wrong with towing with an 80 series?

We also didn't get the compliance plate with the paperwork. The RTA in the ACT supplies a blank plate for us to get engraved and then they stamp it. The engineer only supplied the paperwork.

Phil

FollowupID: 879788

Follow Up By: GREG T11 - Tuesday, Apr 04, 2017 at 20:07

Tuesday, Apr 04, 2017 at 20:07

The figures 3.1 tonne ATM upgrade and later the mention of his 80 series was upgraded to 3.1 T in the past, the only requirement a h/duty towbar, no mention of upgraded brakes or suspension to his 80 series which is why I asked. So far no reply..

The reality is the O.P has upgraded his van to carry 3.1 T, if he pulling it with his 80 series as good as they are he must be borderline with GCM ? O.K there's probably a heap of people out here doing it right now but in a vehicle that has more power and better dynamics.

Would you tow a trailer at your max tow rating regardless of vehicle?

Be a bloody slow trip regardless, until you were going down a nice long steep incline then things might get interesting.

All hypothetical until we know the answer though.

FollowupID: 879802

Follow Up By: Tony C16 - Tuesday, Apr 04, 2017 at 20:37

Tuesday, Apr 04, 2017 at 20:37

Greg my understanding is the 80 series 94 and 96 Are the same mechanicaly the 94 was released with 2500 kg towing the same vehicle released in 96 had 3500 the only difference was the towbar brakes are the same as is the suspension . Although I have had the suspension up graded on mine please correct if you know this to be incorrect. My cruiser handle s the 3ton van extremely well just because the ATM and cruiser have been updated dose not mean that you are carrying or pulling those weights Cheers Tony

FollowupID: 879804

Follow Up By: Outback kid - Wednesday, Apr 05, 2017 at 07:47

Wednesday, Apr 05, 2017 at 07:47

1994 80 series tubo diesel

my rig Greg what do you see wrong with it

FollowupID: 879812

Follow Up By: Chris v6 - Wednesday, Apr 05, 2017 at 09:22

Wednesday, Apr 05, 2017 at 09:22

late 80 series has bigger brakes

FollowupID: 879820

Follow Up By: GREG T11 - Thursday, Apr 06, 2017 at 19:59

Thursday, Apr 06, 2017 at 19:59

I eat humble pie, I did not realise they upgraded the tow ratings towards the end of model run.

Happy travels Outback Kid.

P.S, you 80 series aficionados a crying out for a rea window sticker like a old cocky had on the back of his HJ45? ute that came into my old work. Nice old original truck with the words " I may be slower than you but I'm still in front " placed prominently across his rear window. Made my day the first time I saw it.

FollowupID: 879889

Follow Up By: Outback kid - Saturday, Apr 08, 2017 at 10:10

Saturday, Apr 08, 2017 at 10:10

For those who doubt the 80 series I have been one of a very few who have towed a 3 tone van across the ferry at the Daintree and continued up to cape tribulation was a scary drive because the road is very steep and very narrow. On the way out left early in the morning before ferry started so to avoid meeting any traffic as this would have proved to be problem on the narrow road. I would not do it again.
the 80 series performed faultlessly.

I have also done the climb from Gloucester to Nowendoc and on to Walcha this is also a very steep climb. Cruising across the Nullarbore was great and returning 16.5 liters per hundred is better than a lot of the modern vehicles including the 4 cylinder ones