Vehicle weight upgrades: What you need to know

A federal ban announced in June for any future weight upgrade approvals that include Gross Combination Mass (GCM) or towing capacity for new, unregistered vehicles has caused widespread confusion and highlighted inconsistencies between national and state requirements.

Earlier this year Queensland began a blanket ban on GCM (the maximum allowable weight of both tow vehicle and trailer) upgrades for ‘in-use’ vehicles vehicles already registered in Queensland.

The decision was not retrospective – meaning it didn’t affect vehicles previously issued with GCM approved
upgrades.

However, Queensland planned to introduce even more stringent rules (under Vehicle Modification Codes LS11 and LS15) from September 4, but as a result of a sensational media story this week outlining the changes, Queensland transport minister Mark Bailey was forced to back down.

The changes to the Vehicle Modification Codes that are no longer going ahead includ the banning of towing capacity upgrades on Queensland registered vehicles, along with banning axle capacity increases and GVM upgrades (which had previously been upgraded by another jurisdiction).

The Queensland ban would have also included GVM upgrades on registered vehicles which had previously had active SSM Approvals and are no longer manufactured (such as the Nissan Patrol Y61 and Toyota HiLux KUN 125/126).

NSW-based suspension specialist Lovells is one of the key Secondary Stage Manufacturers that offers kits for both new and already registered vehicles requiring GVM (the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle including passengers, accessories, fuel, luggage, etc), towing and GCM revisions.

Lovells managing director Simon Crane said Queenslanders were being forced to miss out on aftermarket upgrades that increased either the GVM of the vehicle or upgraded or maintained the towing capacity, resulting in a legal, revised GCM.

“The same upgrade that is allowed on Queensland vehicles before they are sold is not allowed for cars already registered,” Crane said.

“Queenslanders are clearly disadvantaged by the Queensland government’s Vehicle Modification Scheme.”

The Northern Territory and Tasmania have restricted approval for some elements of weight changes for registered vehicles since the June federal announcement.

The Northern Territory will not permit GCM or towing upgrades, while Tasmania will not approve towing capacity upgrades (but will accept GCM upgrades).

The feds decreed in June that all future SSM applications will not be approved for anything except GVM upgrades (so no GCM or towing capacity upgrades will be considered).

“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,” it states in Section 10.6, of the 0-4-6 circular issued in June.

“Second stage manufacturers are not permitted to increase the towing capacity as part of an SSM IPA that results in GVM upgrade.”

Current SSM approvals are not affected. That is, vehicles on the SSM approval list for towing capacity, GVM and GCM upgrades can continue to have modifications certified and remain registered in any state or territory.

In-use vehicles registered in NSW, Victoria, SA and WA can also continue to have their GVM, GCM and towing upgrades approved at state level.