South Australia now allows towing upgrades

South Australia has now joined New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT and Tasmania in allowing towing upgrades and Gross Combination Mass revisions, meaning that travellers can carry more weight and tow heavier caravans legally and safely.

Reversing a 12-month ban, the South Australian Government has accepted a new testing regime following a concerted six-month campaign by suspension specialist Lovells, led by outspoken General Manager, Mike Davison.

Significantly, it brings modified Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series 4WDs back into play as legal tow vehicles for our largest caravans, countering the surging sales of large American Pickups.

Only Queensland and the Northern Territory remain out of step in not allowing towing and GCM upgrades in their jurisdictions, with Western Australia set to make a decision on the same testing regime later this year.

Davison told caravancampingsales that he is due to meet with WA Transport on October 2 after almost a year of lobbying and was hopeful of a positive outcome.

He said the State and Territory laws cover in-service vehicles – those that have left the showroom floor – and they do not affect travellers whose vehicles have been modified legally in other States, but do not allow the modifications to be made locally.

In line with the current Australian Design Rules, GCM revision and towing upgrades can be done on pre-registered vehicles, with the modified vehicle then delivered via the manufacturer’s authorised dealership, just like unmodified vehicles.

Davison said Lovells Automotive Systems 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.

“The majority of Australian motorists can now have their vehicles legally upgraded and be confident that they are 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 or tool boxes, or an industrial style custom body and the vehicle may exceed its legal capacities, which include axles, GVM and GCM,” he said.

“That’s even before you add the caravan or trailer, where ball weights and towing capacities are easily exceeded”.

While the general trend in the budget and medium sector of the Australian caravan industry is towards lighter caravans, this is countered by the desire of more remote area travellers to take more home comforts on holiday. Standard equipment on most large off-road caravans often includes a separate grey water tank, multiple batteries and solar panels, a satellite dish and provision for an additional portable fridge and generator.

The latest equipment-laden Evernew 2000 Series RT-X outback caravan tipped the scales at a 3150kg Tare weight and came with a 4000kg ATM – something handled easily by a Chevrolet Silverado Pickup, but would require an upgrade of a large local 4WD to capitalise on its 850kg payload.

The recently-released Everest Ice Glider family caravan (Tare weight 2940kg) included a separate wine chiller fridge and a fold out dining board in its standard equipment, while ducted vacuum systems and spa baths have been featured in other large vans in the past. If we follow American trends, we night even see fake fireplaces in the future as travellers seek to replicate their suburban home comforts.

Davison said that without an increase in legal towing capacities, many people hauling caravans or trailers have been unknowingly breaking the law and voiding their insurance.

“Luckily Queensland allows Towing Upgrades for in-service vehicles, however without allowing a GCM revision, towing upgrades are virtually superfluous,” he said.

“We know that the community needs greater towing capacities and a revised Gross Combination Mass on vehicles which have the capabilities and we have fought for 12 months to reinstate these upgrades”.

Davison said Lovells had always rigorously tested every vehicle it modifies in accordance with Australian and International Standards to increase the Gross Combination Mass of vehicles – this includes 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.