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SA now in line
with other states
Green
light for towing upgrade testing regime
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SOUTH Australia has joined New South Wales,
Victoria and Tasmania in allowing motorists to carry and tow more weight.
According to Lovells Automotive Systems, the South Australian Government
has accepted a new testing regime that proves the safety and integrity of
towing upgrades and Gross Combination Mass revisions.
This reverses a 12 month ban, while Western Australia is set to make a
decision on the same testing regime later this year.
The State and Territory jurisdictions cover in-service vehicles – those
that have left the showroom floor.
In line with the current Australian Design Rules, GCM revision and towing
upgrades can be done on pre-registered vehicles by second stage
manufacturers with applicable evidence packages.
Only Queensland and the Northern Territory motorists are being
disadvantaged compared to their counterparts across the rest of Australia.
In a media statement, Lovells said the company was able to prove to
Transport SA that its rigorous regime of engineering tests, based on
current Australian design Rules and international standards, delivered a
safe product.
General manager Mike Davison said the new SA regulations required that
vehicle modifications for the towing upgrades and GCM revision be
undertaken by a second stage manufacturers such as Lovells and then
inspected by a qualified automotive engineer.
The majority of Australian motorists could now have their vehicles legally
upgraded and be confident they were not breaking road rules or voiding
their insurance by towing too much, he said.
"The usable payload and factory GCM of most 4X4 vehicles today is minimal.
"The addition of basic optional accessories and equipment, plus two or
three adult occupants, will bring the vehicle close to its legal maximum
weight capacities.
"Add long range fuel tanks, bull bars, a winch, side steps, roof racks,
recovery gear, a payload of camping equipment, tool boxes or an industrial
style custom body and the vehicle may exceed its legal capacities, which
include axle assemblies, GVM and GCM."
Ball weights and towing capacities could easily be exceeded before the
caravan or trailer were added, Mr Davison said.
"Without an increase in legal towing capacities, many people towing
caravans or trailers have been unknowingly breaking the law and voiding
their insurance.
"We know that the community needs greater towing capacities and revised
GCM on vehicles which have the capabilities, and we have fought for 12
months to reinstate these upgrades in SA.
"We hope the WA Government accepts that towing and GCM upgrades can be
done safely, and that the WA caravanning and towing public can once again
drive safely and legally on the roads of Western Australia."
Mr Davison said Lovells had always rigorously tested every vehicle it
modified in accordance with Australian and International Standards to
increase the GCM of vehicles.
This included critical component analysis and testing of brakes,
suspension, chassis, engine, transmission, driveshaft, differentials,
cooling systems, tow bars, tow points and tow hitches both individually
and as a combination.
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permission of Dennis Amor.
Copyright 2005
Dennis Amor All Rights Reserved
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