RV FEATURE
Um, we're reasonably sure there's a problem here...
”WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF ALL LEVELS
OF GOVERNMENT COULD AGREE ON
GCM UPGRADES?”
However, the legality of these upgrades, has
come into question in recent months. In the
publicly-available Circular 0-4-6, which was
issued in June 2018 by the Department of
Infrastructure, Regional Development and
Cities (the department responsible for the
Australian Design Rules and the Australian
Motor Vehicle Certification Board) sets out
the requirements concerning GVM and GCM
upgrades for new vehicles:
“The towing capacity of a light vehicle
expressed as Gross Combination Mass rating
or Rated Towing Capacity of 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 (second stage of
manufacture identification plate approval)
that results in GVM upgrade.”
This statement appears to suggest that
any vehicle upgrade that alters the towing
capacity of a vehicle is illegal; however, we
have it on good authority that the Australian
Motor Vehicle Certification Board is soon to
‘clarify’ its position on this matter. We will
update you if any such clarification is issued.
That is the federal government’s position.
Some states, including South Australia,
however, do allow GCM upgrades by second
stage manufacturers. Wouldn’t it be nice if all
levels of government could agree?
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