What the Engineer did in post 27198.
Pop Top Camper Conversion
(1) Full inspection of the vehicle including checking every ‘mother’ of a identification number against compliance plates, purchase and rego papers a zillion times.
(2) Inspected modifications for structural compliance.
(3) Checked Electrical Certificate.
Note: it had a gas fitting (Bottles plumbed to inside stove) however I had to take it all out as it did not comply with current requirements of two open vents, approx 300mmx200mm either in the floor or the walls at floor level, and a monster hole/vent in the ceiling constantly ventilated.
I chose not to ventilate my rig for gas purposes , thus letting in dust,
water and general C H I T.
(5) Photographed everything he checked.
Suspension:
(1) Inspected it (Shocks, spring packs, Shackles, Poly-air bellows, bushes)
(2) Photographed it all from a number of angles
(3) Noted Manufacturer spec stickers for later confirmation purposes.
(4) Checked tyres specs against OEM tyre sticker specs
GVM
(1) I had to load it, (full fuel,
water and everything else you normally have in it on a trip except clothing) then take it to a public weigh bridge and have a
‘split weigh-in’. That’s where they do the front axle by itself, then the whole vehicle. The rear axle weight is then obtained by subtracting the front axle weight from the total body weight. RESULT: 3200KG
Note: apparently a lot of vehicles fail at thi point by exceeding the allowable front axle weight.
(2) The vehicle was then ballasted up to the max GVM allowed (in this case 3500kgs) by adding both
mine and the engineers body weight, and drums of
water.
(3) I then had to drive it to a local
hill which is VICROADS surveyed approved
hill of no less than 12degrees incline. (felt like a 132 degrees. The poxing drums of
water slid down the back it was so steep)
(4) Near the top of the subject
hill vehicle was halted, placed in neutral, engine left running, hand brake on, foot off the brake. (Vehicle then photographed in this position.
(5) The vehicle was then turned around and halted on the opposite of the road and the same test done.
Note: this is the second fail point for a lot of vehicles.
(6) Electronic technology including laptop computer then affixed to vehicle and brake tests carried out.
(7) Two passes (one each way) to test brake fade at 100kph
(8) Front brakes isolated (Cut off) and rears tested for Brake fade at 100kph – two passes
(9) Rear brakes isolated (same test as above) (F****** scary stuff trying to pull up 3500kgs on front brakes only.
Note: You have to achieve the minimum/plus allowable rating on both passes. There is no averaging or taking you ‘best shot’ so to speak.
(10) issued and applied new Tyre spec sticker (bigger ones)
Advised that vehicle now complied with current regs for the three areas of change, and that a certificate and compliance plate would be issued re same.