GVM Upgrade Hilux

Trevor. Best have a read of the issues Tezza has encountered with his Dmax with a SO CALLED GVM upgrade. Will the so called upgrade be sanctioned by Toyota? I think not. They, like other manufacturers, spec their vehicles and going over axle ratings isn't considered or allowed for by the GVM mobs.

We built a trailer and only carry what we need after all we are camping.
We dont carry camp ovens, and instead of fancy but heavy sliding draws we use plastic tubs. We outfitted our canopy for travel and when we started to get near our legal weight we built a trailer. The benefit is we can now also carry 1/2 a tonne plus of firewood. Now since the family is shifting out and no longer come out with us as much we find the only reason to take the trailer is for the firewood and the fact we can also carry an extra three jerry cans

The GVM/GCM upgrade thing is starting to become a farce, with Federal and State Govts, Vehicle Standards authorities, and aftermarket installers, all at odds over upgrades.

There is a move on, to totally ban GCM upgrades. AFAIC, GVM upgrades over manufacturers ratings should be outlawed, too - but aftermarket suspension suppliers are having a great little rort, by still carrying out GVM upgrades - by taking weight from reduced towed loads, and adding it to the tow vehicle.

This is not strictly legal, IMO - and it is certainly not supported by the vehicle manufacturers.

At the end of the day, a vehicle is engineered to carry a set maximum vehicle load (GVW) and a set all-up load (GCM). These figures should never be exceeded.

To increase a vehicles carrying capacity by taking some of the towing capacity weight, and adding it to the weight the vehicle is actually carrying, is straight-out wrong, and a travesty of engineering design and calculations.

But there's plenty of aftermarket suspension companies out there, who will happily sell you mega-buck suspension upgrades, along with a GVM upgrade, over the original manufacturers specified GVM - and then let you carry the can for axle breakages, chassis fractures, and other costly disasters - that are easily avoided by sticking to the manufacturers recommendations.

The bottom line is, if you end up with serious structural or axle damage to your vehicle, after a GVM/GCM upgrade, it's so easy for aftermarket suspension suppliers to say the problem is a result of vehicle abuse, and wipe their hands of the problem.

GVM upgrades - WTF is going on?

VIC tweaks GVM upgrade laws

Cheers, Ron.

Ron, I note in the RV Daily link you provided, that they have a special comment at the end of the article that says.... if you struggle to stay within your weight limits it is worth considering a GVM Upgrade

Here's my idea of a GVM upgrade :)



https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjGnPXtgu7jAhWRT30KHdWIA3UQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhennesseyperformance.com%2Fvehicles%2Fford%2Ff-150-raptor%2F2017-ford-f-150-raptor%2Fvelociraptor-6x6%2F&psig=AOvVaw2CiS4lDmIVqmfTlCvRhcob&ust=1565173243736541

Considering how a factory hilux rides empty, I guarantee putting even harder rear springs in it isn’t going to impress the boss in the comfort department.

I know it is an easy answer but maybe lots of people should either leave a lot of crap at home and travel lighter or invest in a larger/ heavier vehicle to do the job.
On our recent three month 10,000 k trip we saw hundreds of vehicles obviously too small and possibly overloaded for the trip, lots of mid sized utes that were starting to bend and about half a dozen that had done so to the point of total failure.
This was right across the spectrum from single vehicles to those towing camper trailers and vans.
We've been travelling outback since the mid 70's and the sheer numbers of people travelling these days is mind boggling but many try to do too much in too small a time frame with too much gear in too small a vehicle for the job.

Trevor I have got the Pedders GVM upgrade on an 18 dual cab Dmax with an alum canopy and love it. It has a better ride than a bare ute. it still has a bit of weight on it from all of the accessories and canopy which is just 500kg. Bullbar winch ,side steps, towbar, long range tank, 50ltr water tank under canopy, fridge on a drop down slide and 2 agm batt. Towing the Tvan [ball weight of about 150kg] from Marla to Oonadatta the front shocks got 29degrees and back 34degrees with Tvan 44 on Koni shocks tested with I R gun with ambient of 22 sitting on 75-80kmh. I was 250kg under the GVM.

Matt

It's interesting to read through some of the States vehicle registration authorities requirements for GVM upgrades.

S.A.'s requirements are listed below, and they are clearly written and easily understood.

In the case of a GVM upgrade that increases the load rating of the rear axle, beyond the manufacturers original maximum load specification, the following applies in S.A. ... (LVES is Light Vehicle Engineering Signatory)

S.A. - Light vehicle mass re-rating


QUOTE:

"When the GVM upgrade exceeds the original manufacturer’s specified axle load capacity:

This will require an upgrade of the vehicle springs to a higher load rating than the standard springs.

The LVES will assess the suitability of the modified suspension for the GVM proposed.

The LVES will address the structural adequacy of the vehicle at the higher GVM.

The LVES will address the braking performance at the higher GVM. This will likely require testing of the vehicle at laden mass.

The LVES will assess the axles and suspension components to cope with the increased loadings beyond the OEM ratings. This will be likely to require detailed engineering analysis addressing stress and fatigue elements.

The LVES will assess the wheel and tyre loading requirements, and if these differ from the OEM tyre placard, then a new placard must be fitted to the vehicle replacing the OEM placard.

In addition to the above requirements, the following criteria may also be specified on the SOR depending on the modifications proposed:

Where the GVM increase is greater than 20%, evidence to confirm the braking system has been tested at a higher GVM including full brake test report as required by Fact Sheet MR132 Brake system test procedure, when loaded to the new GVM.

If the vehicle is fitted with any form of Electronic Stability control, evidence will be required that the system has not been affected by an increase in GVM.

A vehicle modified where the total lift (tyres plus suspension plus body) is more than 50mm beyond the original manufacturer’s standard height will require a Lane Change Test as required by Fact Sheet MR807."

END QUOTE.

Now, I'm of the opinion, that there's a lot of box-ticking going on here, with these authorised LVES's - much the same as building engineers, in the pocket of major builders, have been box-ticking dodgy new apartments in Sydney and Melbourne.

I cannot see where these vehicle engineers (LVES's) have the ability, or are doing the extensive and major testing required, to ensure that modified 4WD vehicle chassis' and axles, have the necessary durability to cope with substantial GVM upgrades.

It would seem to me to be pretty easy, as an engineer, once you acquired the necessary LVES qualification, to become a box ticker for the suspension installers, without doing major durability testing.

The Govt is merely throwing responsibility onto the LVES's for any structural or durability problems that arise, and the LVES's can simply come back and say the vehicle was being abused.

There does not appear to be a robust enough system in place, whereby LVES's must provide documented strength testing, to back up what they are signing off on.

To my mind, any axle that is uprated in carrying capacity over the manufacturers original load limit, needs to be trussed in a substantial manner, to provide that extra strength and durability. I see no sign of any suspension upgrade operators doing this.

Cheers, Ron.

Would love to see what amount of excess equipment you are carrying. I have a 1 tonne single cab ute with body and small caravan and nowhere near the GVM. Have everything possible money could buy for comfort. 55L water tank under the body, 40L fridge, 150Ah battery, 475W solar panels, Trauma hot water system, 4.5kg LPG. Small caravan weighs in at loaded with water tanks full at 1,222kg.

What do you have loaded you are so overweight?

With the failures seen with GVM upgrades, they shouldn't be allowed. Why wouldn't the vehicle manufacturer make the load capability higher if the vehicle was good for a higher loading.

A sideline issue with GVM upgrades Trevor, be aware that in WA definitely, and possibly in other states, your GVM upgrade will not be legal, even though you have a signed copy of the engineer's report with all boxes ticked and a placard pop-riveted to the bodywork somewhere stating the new GVM, until you have the vehicle inspected by a licenced vehicle inspector and take the roadworthy form and your copy of the engineer's report into the motor registration branch and they call up your vehicle's rego details, find the matching copy of the engineer's report sent in by the engineer, shout 'SNAP' and then change the figures beside GVM: on the computer listing of your vehicle's rego! I spent a lot of time researching suspension and GVM upgrades. I was told by everybody their upgrades are 'ADR approved' so you naturally assume they are legally OK, but never once was I told that I had to have the car inspected by a LVI for a roadworthy (this on a 3yo DMAX). Only discovered by accident when got the rego renewal notice about a fortnight after the GVM upgrade and it still showed 2900kgs and not 3300. Called into MRB on day off to ask and was told I had to get car inspected.
Same deal with the long-range fuel tank. I had to go back to the ARB outlet which fitted the tank and he filled out the form, ticked the boxes and signed it while I stood there - why the idiot couldn't have done that and handed it to me when I picked up the car beats me. But anyway, I was lucky, I got the car inspected and the GVM upgrade AND the long-range tank approved by MRB on the one inspection, otherwise I would have been up for 2 inspection fees and 2 booking fees. Have to carry the long-range tank fitter's form in the car at all times and produce it if asked by police or Main Roads officers.
Mal Gill, Bellevue, WA

I have a Lovell’s spring and Bilstein shock suspension (gvm rated springs but no paperwork done) in my Ranger. My GVM is 3200kg and I am loaded to 3180kg everyday for work. I am quite happy with the handling and comfort when loaded like thus. With the work canopy removed it is quite stiff in the back but lowering the tyre pressure (from 50psi to 34psi and putting 100-200kg of weight in the back) makes it acceptable considering the canopy is on 99% of the time.

There is no magic suspension that can handle the same when the load changes by ~700kg, that is the compromise you make for having heavy load carrying suspension. You can try airbags but if used incorrectly they are known to contribute to bent chassis’.

Trevor I feel sorry for you 31 replys, with only 3 bothered to answer your question. How dare you wanting to make YOUR vehicle legal.

You may end up putting a lot of stress on the chassis in front of the springs that's where twin cabs seem to be prone to bending or cracking the chassis.

I would look at how much weight the camper places on the draw bar if may be a lot and you might be able to reduce it by repacking the camper I had a pop top once and it was good with 80kg ball weight something that might be worth experimenting with. You can try weighing it on bathroom scales with a thick piece of ply on it to help protect them. Attach the camper to the car then lower the jockey wheel onto the scales until there is no weight on the tow bar but watch you don't overload the scales.