Over the years for larger vans, we have had many people upgrade the tow capacity in vehicles like the 80 Series that was only legal to 2500 kg before about 10/1996, but was substantially the same vehicle from the early 90’s to its changeover in 2000. You can do this, many have. But besides towing capacity, another thing should be looked at, and that is increasing the GVM for some vehicles. I see many tow vehicles with fridges in the back, outboards, boats on roof racks, and the rest; that are obviously over their legal GVM. This can be fixed in many cases, and my concern is that Insurance Companies are having to tighten up on the laws and limitations, and technically can deny you insurance if you are an illegal vehicle overloaded beyond your GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass- The top weight fully loaded you are allowed…)
You almost have to have a boat on top, to have problems with most Toyotas for instance. But the larger bed and storage capacity makes it easy to load too much into some vehicles like the F-250 Ford.. I have had two F-250's in here, that have had the GVM increased to 5 tons, 5000 kg, because of this. Also, I have heard rumours of about 3 more that have had it done. More importantly: I have had a lot more Fords in here, that needed it...
I have been neglectful in getting the Engineers names that did the Modification Plates: Can anyone please Post here the Source of that Mod if you know it for others benefit; for each of the States of Qld, Vic, NSW...? I know it is being done, but cannot tell you who is doing it…
The problem is that many of you are running OVERLOADED, just because you can. The big bed size has given way to some going with 8' and I have even seen 9' canopies on trays; with boats on top, generators and motors in the back, fridges, folding boat trailers, two spares, toys, tools, on and on and some of you are OVER your GVM and not Legal... I know it is fun to have the most toys, but there is a problem…
Unfortunately, Insurance is getting tighter and tighter, and I am only concerned that technically you could get caught up without coverage in a serious accident claim as you are running too heavy. Look it is nice to have all the toys, but some of you are going over the top.. Just because the F-250 is so strong that with the air bag addition in the back it does not notice the weight, you need to be aware of the problem, and I would suggest you seek out a GVM increase. In all fairness, your upper limitation will end up being the single wheels. I converted my F-350 to Dually (Dual rear wheels) just because of this limitation when I built my 29’ gooseneck horse float. Now I am back to that with a factory Dually.
This is what an F-350 Dually 4x4 looks like with the weight of a Landcruiser in the back, and still in its Legal limits… Some of you might be overloading your rear single tyres. This Dually gives you nearly double the payload and the Dually means MASSIVE safety and carrying capacity… One more thing, MASSIVE TRACTION, and it makes a difference in the soft going. We are editing down a DVD to a modest size, from 5 hours. And while nothing looks half as bad in a picture or Video as it actually was, you can see the Dually in action with one of the largest and heaviest vans. Even in soft sand the difference is remarkable.
My van is only 22’, but heavy as I have doubled many of the features, testing some gear, and double normal tankage with 8 tanks… And the Dually has traction to spare. In the picture you can see over a ton of batteries, 200 litres of fuel, 8 tyres, pumps, tools, and more than you want to hear about, the weight of a Landcruiser in the back and it just sits level. The rear tyres are no where near their limits and so not prone to flats like singles would be in a STRESSED condition. This is my second late model “Dually”, and most of the myths about Duals are just that: Myths. The only place they are a serious disadvantage is in town parking. But even that I live with.
Newbies, if you are going BIIIIIG, and a boat, motor, canopy, motorbike, boat trailer, generator, and all the rest of a full lifestyle traveling full time, I would certainly consider a Dually. I have traveled extensively in the Outback, now with two of them; and the power, traction, stability, safety, and the rest is only increased where the rubber hits the road so to speak in Duals. Here is what it looks like in a heavy loaded state, two tonnes in the back.
If you are going to do it Biiiiig, then do it safely, both physically and financially, do it safely.. Isuzu truck, Dodge, Chev, Ford, Mitsubishi, there are many choices if you want to go oversized. Otherwise, priortize what you want to take along down to what you need to take along, and stay within your GVM limits..
Your Friend, the lone Ranger, is just trying to look after you.. As always….
Semper Fidelis
