No More GCM Upgrades on New Vehicles. From July 1 2018.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Apologies for the earlier post, I completely misread the OP as applying to GVM upgrades.

I have now read the actual govt circular, and I must say it is rather unclear and confusing.
What it actually says:

So it's clear you cannot increase the Towing Capacity.
But to me it's not clear whether you can increase the GCM?
So would increasing the GCM without increasing GCM actually lower the Towing Capacity?

That last sentence is also confusing. It would seem to imply that you could increase towing capacity as part of a separate IPA that did not result in increase DVM?

perhaps you don't understand the terminology. That statement is about as clear as you can get. GCM is set by the first stage manufacturer (the actual car manufacturer) and can't be changed.

Second stage manufacturers (lovell's) can still do GVM upgrades but this has no increase on the towing capacity or the GCM.


Not all manufacturers actually list a GCM. In the absence of a listed GCM, the GCM becomes the GVM + max tow rating. This meant that a increase to GVM would automatically result in an increased GCM. This is no longer the case.

[Sprintey]

The solution is smaller caravans and Take Less Stuff. Most of the really good things that you encounter traveling are outside of the van anyway.

I thought we went fairly minimal until we met another young family who stripped the entire inside of their van (minus cooking) and all slept on the floor each night.

Most people take their level of comfort with them, which is currently a McMansion.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by prydey

perhaps you don't understand the terminology.

Perhaps you don't understand the English Language.

Originally Posted by prydey

GCM is set by the first stage manufacturer (the actual car manufacturer) and can't be changed.

Except it doesn't say that.

The towing capacity of a light vehicle (expressed as Gross Combination Mass (GCM) rating OR Rated Towing Capacity OR Maximum Braked Towing Mass rating) must not exceed the value set by the first stage manufacturer.

So if the towing capacity is set at say 1T, expressed as a GVM of say 2T and GCM of 3T. If I were to increase BOTH GVM AND GCM by 0.5T, then I have not increased the towing capacity.

If you increase the GVM without a corresponding increase in the GCM, then you have decreased the Towing Capacity.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Perhaps you don't understand the English Language.

no need for that mate. I wasn't having a go at you earlier, regarding the terminology. It was a genuine query. There are many people out there who don't tow, and have no intention of towing, and therefore are not familiar with much of the terminology concerning vehicle weights and ratings.

10.6 The towing capacity of a light vehicle expressed as Gross Combination Mass (GCM) rating or Rated Towing Capacity or Maximum Braked Towing Mass rating must not exceed the value set by the first stage manufacturer. Second stage manufacturers are not permitted to increase the towing capacity as part of an SSM IPA that results in GVM upgrade

The GCM, under new rules, can't be changed from what the manufacturer sets it as, as stated above. GCM and max tow rating are now set in stone.

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

If you increase the GVM without a corresponding increase in the GCM, then you have decreased the Towing Capacity.

Correct, except GCM is not able to be increased under new laws. Increasing GVM simply eats in to your max tow capacity.

[prydey]

I need to eat a big slice of humble pie as I (and many others) got this media release wrong.

here is a statement from Bamgarage, posted on caravanners forum with an update on the confusion.

hopefully it is helpful to those interested in doing these modifications.

Good afternoon all,

There is a lot of things being posted online about GCM upgrades, Braked Towing Capacity upgrades, Lovells, BAM Garage and legislation changes. See below statement from Lovells and BAM Garage stating the facts.

***OFFICIAL RELEASE FROM LOVELLS AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS - 02/07/2018 4:01PM***

"Dear Authorised Dealers, Production Facilities, Dealerships and Fleet clients,

Contrary to social media and competitors’ spin, Lovells wish to confirm the following which was uploaded to the RVCS website (Federal Dept of Transport and Infrastructure) on Friday 29th June (Note: paragraphs highlighted by Lovells for clarity).

We confirm that there is no change to existing SSM Approvals. Any vehicles (as stated in current SSM Approvals and as noted on current RVDs) can still be plated with GVM Upgrades and Towing Capacity Upgrades (BTC upgrades) under the approved RVD. Thus Lovells SSM Approved kits can continue to be supplied.

The implementation of Administrator’s Circular 0-4-6 is effective for all future IPA Approvals. That is, any SSM Approvals applied for beyond the current valid and active SSM Approvals.

Lovells GVM/GCM/Towing Capacity or variants of these modifications remain 100% legal in all States and Territories for all vehicles in service/previously modified.

Lovells GVM/GCM/Towing Capacity or variants of these modifications remain 100% legal in all States and Territories for all vehicles when modified prior to first registration (Federal Compliance).

Lovells GVM/GCM/Towing Capacity or variants of these modifications remain 100% legal in all States and Territories, other than Queensland, for all vehicles when modified after first registration/in service vehicles (State Compliance). State based GCM modifications are governed by the State Authority and their individual Type Approvals or Modification Codes.

Lovells GVM/GCM/Towing modifications have always been legal and we have always strived to ensure compliance with the Federal, State and Territory Regulators.

The whole point of GVM/GCM/towing upgrades is to ensure the ongoing compliance and safety of vehicles and occupants when carrying/towing heavy loads and thus ensuring the safety of other road users.

Despite false reports in some forums, competitor press releases and industry news pages, safety is not an issue. SSM Approval holders can attest to and advise categorically that there is no evidence of any safety issues, accidents or fatalities due to or related to any GVM/GCM/Towing Upgrade.

Unfortunately, all of the SSM Approval Holders who nominate a revised GCM and/or Towing Capacity increase will be affected by these changes in the future, as will any road user who wishes to tow a caravan, boat, horse float etc.

In Summary
• PRE REGO there is no change in plating vehicles with GVM & Towing Upgrades. GCM as defined by the SSM manufacturer
• POST REGO vehicles can be plated with GVM upgrade. The Towing and GCM upgrade would be supported and approved via State Authorities and state based signatories.
• The implementation of 0-4-6 is for all future SSM approvals"


This news provides clarification on 0-4-6 that went viral that seemed to leave more questions than answers. For QLD registered owners post-registration GCM upgrades and BTC upgrades at this point in time cannot be certified. However post-registration QLD GVM (only) upgrades can be carried out and certified (GCM stays per OEM just the same as Pedders / ARB etc). Pre-registration GVM & GCM are 100% legal and compliant and still proceeding as normal (Australia wide, including QLD so if you are buying a brand new LC200 in QLD you can increase GVM + GCM + BTC prior to initial registration which will be recognised even if you then register the vehicle in QLD after the pre-rego upgrade). In the interim if ordering a new vehicle and carrying out a pre-registration GVM & GCM (and/or BTC) upgrade is not on the cards you can register your vehicle into any other state and you can upgrade your GVM, GCM and BTC figures. This will allow you to drive anywhere in Australia completely legal (including QLD) - just the vehicle must remain registered in that state i.e. NSW/VIC/NT/SA etc - example post-registration modification plate attached. Registering your vehicle into NSW is the easiest way for yourself, as you can register into NSW without needing a residential address physically in NSW. The GVM / GCM / BTC upgrades can still be carried out in QLD (post-registration) however the GCM and BTC will be treated as a mechanical repair only which does not legally increase your figures - it will only improve the comfort, safety and stability of the vehicle during both towing or not towing situations - it will however prepare the vehicle for certification if QLD does allow GCM / BTC in the future. Under this scenario then you can simply have the vehicle certified with no alteration to suspension or towing components.

I hope this helps clear up any questions or concerns that many of you are having.


Regards,

Graeme Allan.