GVM & GCM GENERAL INFO 09/2022
Carry more - Safely & Legally
The allowable payload on most modern 4WDs seems great on paper, but gets quickly used up when accessories, gear and passengers get loaded in. Remaining under the vehicles Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) can seem almost impossible.
DMW is a recognised Second Stage Manufacturer (SSM) which allows us to develop and federally certify components to increase your vehicle's GVM.
This allows DMW or their authorised dealers to fit GVM kits for a variety of vehicles both Pre and Post Registration.
Maximise your allowable payload without risking your roadworthiness.
Each complete GVM kit has been extensively tested to ensure ADR compliance is maintained.
Safety and performance by design
Federal approval for GVM upgrades requires rigorous testing to ensure that the vehicle performs as well or better than when it left the original manufacturer. You can be sure that your DMW GVM upgraded 4WD will stop and handle well, even with the increased load on board.
Depending on the vehicle, the following testing is required:
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA) testing: A check of the maximum load carrying capacity of the vehicle's axles, chassis or other critical components.
- Brake Testing: Laden and Unladen brake testing as well as testing under partial system failure to comply with ADR35/00
- ESC Testing: If required, this test ensures that the ESC system's response is the same or better than the original vehicle.
The GVM of any vehicle is the weight in kilograms that the manufacturer has specified as being the maximum that the vehicle can weigh when fully laden. DMW GVM upgrades allow a vehicle to be certified to carry a greater amount than the original manufacturer, without breaching applicable ADRs or laws. You can upgrade the GVM of a vehicle using either Federal approval or State based approval, depending on whether the vehicle has been registered or not.
- If the vehicle has never been registered, Federal approval can be applied. The DMW GVM kit comes complete with an additional compliance plate which will be fixed to the vehicle.
- If the vehicle is already registered, the data used in Federal compliance is used in conjunction with a vehicle inspection by an authorised State engineer to certify the vehicle.
Is my GCM automatically increased when a GVM upgrade is fitted?
The answer to this commonly asked question is no! This doesn’t matter if the GVM is done pre or post rego either, some installers will tell you otherwise but the fact is that GCM is a state based decision. Please see below exert from the Administrators circular 0-4-6 published 29/06/2018,
“As there are no ADRs that require the GCM of a light vehicle (ie a vehicle less than 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass) to be certified by testing or evidence provided by a manufacturer, the Department does not assess, endorse or approve any purported change to a light vehicle’s GCM specification by a SSM.
It is also important to note that the Department does not restrict or prohibit GCM upgrades, as they are an in service matter that is the responsibility of state and territory registration authorities.”
GCM and other modifications state by state…
QUEENSLAND
GVM Upgrades of IN SERVICE vehicles (currently registered vehicles) – APPROVED.
GVM Upgrades under SSM to vehicles PRIOR to initial registration – APPROVED.
GCM Upgrade to IN SERVICE vehicles (currently registered vehicles) – NOT APPROVED
GCM Upgrade under SSM to vehicles PRIOR to initial registration – APPROVED. STILL AN IN SERVICE DECISION SO NO GCM UPGRADE. *2023 update. LS16 code passed for GCM but significant testing to be done before any approvals. SSM not a basis for approval.
NSW, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, and VICTORIA
GVM Upgrades of IN-SERVICE vehicles (currently registered vehicles) – APPROVED
GVM Upgrades under SSM of vehicles PRIOR to initial registration – APPROVED.
GCM Upgrade to IN SERVICE vehicles (currently registered vehicles) – APPROVED.
GCM Upgrade under SSM to vehicles PRIOR to initial registration – APPROVED.
**BTC, Braked Towing Capacity to IN SERVICE Vehicles – APPROVED
WESTERN AUSTRALIA, ACT and NORTHERN TERRITORY
GVM Upgrades of IN-SERVICE vehicles (currently registered vehicles) – APPROVED.
GVM Upgrades under SSM of vehicles PRIOR to initial registration – APPROVED.
GCM Upgrade to IN SERVICE vehicles (currently registered vehicles) – NOT APPROVED
GCM Upgrade under SSM to vehicles PRIOR to initial registration – APPROVED. STILL AN IN SERVICE DECISION SO NO GCM UPGRADE.
**BTC, Braked Towing Capacity to IN SERVICE Vehicles – NOT APPROVED
TASMANIA
GVM Upgrades of IN-SERVICE vehicles (currently registered vehicles) – APPROVED.
GVM Upgrades under SSM of vehicles PRIOR to initial registration – APPROVED.
GCM Upgrade to IN SERVICE vehicles (currently registered vehicles) – APPROVED
GCM Upgrade under SSM to vehicles PRIOR to initial registration – APPROVED.
**BTC, Braked Towing Capacity to IN SERVICE Vehicles – APPROVED
*A vehicle that is legally registered in one Australian state of Territory with a BTC, GVM or GCM upgrade, can legally travel in another state or Territory.
** Please note that as of the Administrator Circular released in June 2018 BTC upgrades are not permitted on light vehicles. Please see exert below.
“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,” it stated in Section 10.6, of the 0-4-6 circular issued in June 2018