Legal Loads for larger 4WDs

Well Sky Pilot I guess I for most it would be illegal to be carrying the loads they carry. But what is the solution and I guess that most either don't know or have decided to run the gauntlet - should they have a prang will the insurance company blame them/wipe their cover etc.

I feel the same way about the manufacturers not being in touch with what the aussy 4wd traveller gets up too. And wiping their warranty when they make vehicle alterations to make their vehicle more capable. Most would accomodate the extra weight with stronger springs and air bags. Does this change their legal status (no way) and does this make the whole proposition safer (most likely).

One can always make sure to stay legal and make do on their hols - doesn't sound like the people I know.

Kind regards

Mines legal , just. (GU Patrol Ti)

But , I dont have a winch, Steel BB , Dual Batteries , or a 2nd Spare wheel.

I do however have a roof rack , and often carry 2 Adults and 4 teenage kids.

My CT is on the lighter side , and I take great care in trying to keep the Tow ball weight as light as possible (within reason).

Mine would be borderline , I know plenty that wouldn't be though , but, yes, generally is a ridiculious situation.

> Why don't manufacutures put a bit more GVM into their large 4WD wagons.

It seems to me they are all pursuing the idea of making the vehicles more carlike to drive ... at the expense of their original design intention.
Especially here in Oz where ppls, or at least some, intend using them for their original design purpose.

Cheers

I could be wrong but I thought the design rules place a maximum axle load restriction on vehicles. This being the case, there is little a manufacturer could do to increase the load capacity as there is a legal limit to what each axle set can carry.

Hi Sky Pilot,

Whatever it takes to upgrade the GVM, Land Rover have sure discovered (no pun intended) it. The previous Discovery had a GVM of 2750kg. The new Disco 3 has a GVM of 3230kg - a massive 480kg increase in GVM. Of course a lot of that was probably used up by the extra weight of the vehicle.

the rules state
4WDs and light commercials should not exceed the Gross Combined Mass of the vehicle when towing. The GCM is the vehicles weight plus its load, including a trailer. If you have your 4wd loaded up with 2 adults & 4 kids plus luggage and camping gear you can reduced the trailer load to keep everything legal & under the GCM.
The most you can tow is the amount specified by the vehicle manufacturer or the capacity of the towbar, which ever is least.
Bill

Yes, this is a real problem. People talk about fitting large tyres putting insurance at risk. Carrying illegal loads may have the same effect.
This is one of the reasons I got a Hilux dual cab. Carrying capacity is 915KG and between modifications, load and tow ball weight, I get to within 50KG of that with just two adults! We carry a fair bit of stuff, but not more than most people I suspect.

I'd be surprised if there are many vehicles out there (other than utes) which are towing and on a trip for more than a week that are not overloaded. Most drivers are just not aware of it.

You also need to add the weight of fuel and oils. Rather than guestimate, its more accurate to take it to a weighbridge, but I know your point. Thats one reason why I own a 79series with a 1250kg payload, and its possible to do an upgrade that adds 400kg to that.

A lot of people have been saying the same thing for a few years now, most wagon style 4wd's travelling outback would be illegal when the family and all the gear is added. The limiting factor in upgrading GVM is the actual axle weight capacities as stated by the manufacturer. As long as the tyres and suspension are upgraded to carry the additional weight you can get the vehicle re engineered to the total of the two axles, just that then the insurance companies don't want to know you because you now have a modified vehicle!
As a few vehicles are now experiencing increased drive train failures I'd say the workable limit has been already reached.
To further complicate the whole situation ask your vehicles manufacturer what the "cross country" or "off road' towing capacity is, you'll get the big backstep etc etc. Most of the big wagons would only be rated to tow around 750kgs off road and then only for a relatively short duty cycle.

With all this talk about GVM's & GCM's one other thing that you will need to factor
into this lot is the fact that all of the motoring associations have a limit of two tonnes
on recovery. Although they mostly have 8 or 9 tonne tilt trays if you are over 2 T
it becomes very expensive.
120 Klms east of Broken Hill into town = $975.00
If you have a C/T or Van it costs more to tow that as well.NRMA 15Klm's =$37.50 for the van.
Ring your mob and ask them about it and see what they say about it.
Cabbage

Sky Polit,

How many 2wd vehicles have you seen that are overloaded.
I would rather drive a 4wd that needs to go to weight watchers than drive or stop a 2wd when it is loaded up for it's one and only trip for the year.

Wayne

The list of things I know are "illegal" on my GU is quite extensive:
It weighs over 3000kg sitting in the driveway before i load it up
I have removed both anti-sway bars
I have removed the interior mirror
I have a rear view camera that is on all the time whilst I'm driving
The screen for camera sits in full view (where the old mirror used to be)
My back number plate is usually obscured by the tow bar & Treg coupling
My Lightforce 240s protrude beyond the front of the bullbar
The sunraysia wheels have an extra 20mm off-set over standard
I have raised it 4" above standard
I have very loud air horns (illegal in some states), but I can isolate them
I have a bank of gauges on top of the dash board (could be said to impede vision)
I have 240 volts wired through the chassis rails (could be in breach of some code)
I reckon my tyre size is okay; only gone up one size

If I'm gunna go down....it may as well be for heaps of reasons......hehehehe

Roachie

You can get a GVM upgrade. You need to contact an Engineer approved by your State licensing authority (not sure what State you are in-no pun intended). The ones I have seen done usually involve an upgrade of the suspension and if necessary the tyres/rims. Mining Companies in WA get quite a few done as do Contractors who do work for the likes of Testra and have the need to carry a lot of heavy equipment into difficult to access rough terrain areas. The Engineer will put a modification plate on the vehicle under the Vehicle Standards Regulations number VSB 6 (see DOTARS website for more info) and give you the appropriate supporting paperwork. You then go to your State licensing authority Vehicle Examination centre and pay for an Inspection to have the vehicle re-assessed and to get the registration papers endorsed with the upgraded GVM. Their Technical Section will be able to advise you. You then go to your insurance company and advise them of the specification changes and modifications and the fact the lic authority has approved it all and you should then be covered as long as you operate the vehicle within the upgraded GVM. Obviously as others have already mentioned the upgrade will have to be within the engineering capacity of the vehicle manufacturers axles and other critical components such as body attachment points, etc and the available power will have to be able accelerate the loaded vehicle at an acceptable rate in traffic etc. That is what you are paying the smart Engineer for (with lots of letters after his name to prove he is smart). The best advice I can give you is discuss whatever you have in mind with your licensing authority BEFORE you do anything. Many of those guys will have 4WD's of their own and are only too happy to help you get what you want to remain legal as long as you operate within the boundaries of what is generally accepted as being safe limits. Sure discuss it with others to but the lic authority is just that, the licensing authority, and they have the final say regards approving your proposed mods.In this way you will avoid spending big bucks up front and then suffer disappointment, aggro and grief when you find out what you have just done cannot gey approval.

Just wondered why you would have to sell an RV Troopy? My father in law in a moment of weakness put every extra available from ARB on a 4.2TD GXL 100 Cruiser and while it is heavy he towes a jayco off road camper, the whole rig when loaded would weigh in well over any legal limit for that 4wd. However the crusier in generall does not carry that much gear when towing the van, all camping gear is packed into the van, the engel sits in the back and thats about it. I told my father in law that he had to much gear and that he should give some to me however that still has yet to be seen. By the way go the troopy its a lot lighter than a 100 series.