Forum Discussion
RobertRyan wrote:
of course there is no U.S. bumper tow capacities, :(they apply to the U.S. . So the max bumper tow capacity is 9,900lb,as shown for the Chevy DRW the legal Australian capacity for the. 6.7 . Go over that and your vehicle is impounded
"An air brake kit will need to be installed on your truck to operate the airbrakes on your trailer/caravan/fifth-wheel/gooseneck when the trailer exceeds 4.5 tonne (9,900 lbs)."
Performax Towing Guide
Also, as I said before, there is no special regulation that Australia has on its tow vehicles besides tow bar specifications , licence requirements, and electric/air brake specifications which is no different than here in the US. Other then that they say go by whatever the manufacturer states just as they say in the links I posted above. There is not a special "Australian tow rating" that the manufacturers have to abide by that lowers their ratings from the US ratings either.RobertRyan wrote:
Payload capacity, meanwhile, is rated (seemingly conservatively) at 1100kg. As a comparison it's worth noting that a diesel-powered 4x4 dual-cab Ford Ranger is capable of towing 3500kg and has a payload of 1132kg
Did you not read when I posted that Performax specifically stated......
"Many models of truck, for example F-Trucks, Silverado or GMC Sierra Denali, are manufactured to have a GVM rating of 5000 to 7000 kg (11,000 to 15,400 lb) but sold with the option of a GVM of just under 4495 kg so that they can be driven on a car licence. This is called a GVM downgrade.
As a government-approved provider, Performax International and its dealers may be able to assist with GVM downgrades on some vehicles to allow driving on a car licence. This is covered under state legislation, therefore differs from state-to-state."
In other words, the truck GVM is downgraded to under 4,495 kg so that anyone with a car licence can drive them. Their real GVM is from 5,000 to 7,000 kg. Now, if you downgrade a trucks GVM, that means you downgrade its payload as well since a truck's payload is determined by subtracting its curb weight from its GVM. For example:
An F350 Crew Cab diesel 4x4 has a curb weight of 7,668 lbs (3,478 kg)
With these trucks you have two choices.
Either stick with its 11,200 lbs(5,080 kg) GVM and get a LR licence. This option would give you a payload of 3,532 lbs(1,602 kg) since 11,200 GVM - 7,668 curb weight = 3,532 payload
-OR-
Have the truck downgraded to a 9,900 lb GVM (4,495 kg) so you can drive it with a car licence. This option will leave you with a payload of 2,232 lb (1012 kg) since 9,900 GVM - 7,668 curb weight = 2,232 payload.
EDIT: Sorry, the actual GVM of the F350 is 11,200 lbs and not 11,000 lbs.- of course there is no U.S. bumper tow capacities, :(they apply to the U.S. . So the max bumper tow capacity is 9,900lb,as shown for the Chevy DRW the legal Australian capacity for the. 6.7 . Go over that and your vehicle is impounded
RobertRyan wrote:
Yes they are talking about 5th wheeler GCVWR, you require air brakes. Not US bumper tow capacities which is illegal
Chevy 3500 DRW
Tow rating: 4.5 tonne
Fifth wheel: 10.2 tonne
Payload: 2.3 tonne
Also, according to Australian laws of each province, there is no such thing as "US bumper tow capacities".
"Towing Mass Limits
The maximum mass that can be towed by a vehicle is
dependent upon a number of criteria. The loaded
mass of a trailer or caravan must not exceed:
1. The rated capacity of both the tow bar and tow
coupling.
2. The towing mass specified by the vehicle
manufacturer, or the GCM (Gross Combination
Mass) specified on the vehicle’s registration
certificate.
"
Light vehicle towing trailer regulations
(GVM 4.5 tonnes or less)
Vehicle Standards Fact Sheet
"How much can you safely tow?
Most manufacturers specify towing limits for their vehicles in their handbooks. For vehicles of
Gross Vehicle Mass 4.5 tonnes or less the following limits are applicable:
• Towing limits specified by the vehicle manufacturer must not be exceeded, otherwise
safety will be compromised. Excessive loads may also damage your vehicle.
• If the vehicle's towing capacity cannot be determined, the loaded mass of the trailer must
not exceed the empty mass (tare) of the towing vehicle, excepting where the trailer is
fitted with brakes in which case the loaded mass of the trailer must not exceed 1.5 times
the empty mass of the towing vehicle."
IB-107B
Vehicle Safety and Standards
Information Bulletin
Safe Towing
"Towing vehicle
In the interests of reliability and safety, follow these rules and conditions:
• Ensure the vehicle is suitable for towing, if required, towing options such as special suspension or
transmission options or load-distributing devices, that may be fitted to the vehicle by either the
manufacturer, dealer or a firm specialising in towing equipment.
• Ensure the vehicle is properly equipped for the type and size of trailer:
• towbars and couplings must be of a suitable type and capacity;
• electrical sockets for lighting are required;
• suitable brake connections may be required;
• extra mirrors may be required for towing large trailers.
Ensure that the lower of the following is not exceeded:
• the maximum towing capacity of the motor vehicle as specified by the vehicle manufacturer; or
• the capacity of the towing apparatus fitted to the vehicle.
Note: This information can be obtained from the owner’s manual or the manufacturer. If the motor vehicle
manufacturer has not specified a maximum towing capacity or it cannot be identified, the following is taken
to be the maximum towing capacity for the purposes of the above"
Queensland Safe Towing
"Maximum Trailer Mass
Throughout Australia, the allowable maximum mass for the trailer is either the capacity of the tow vehicle’s towing attachment or the towing limit specified by the vehicle manufacturer for the towing vehicle, whichever is the least.
OR
If the vehicle’s manufacturer has not made a recommendation as to the towing mass, then the following rules apply:"
The National Caravan and Recreational Vehicle Towing Guide: Legal Requirements
None of them say anything about any kind of "US ratings do not apply" and only state that the manufacturer determines the tow rating.RobertRyan wrote:
ShinerBock wrote:
RobertRyan wrote:
A F150 can be driven on a car licence. A F250/ F350 can also be driven on a car licence.
Of course an F150/F250/350 can be driven on a car licence. Did you not read what i said above? They purposely downgrade their GVM so that be driven on a car licence.RobertRyan wrote:
U.S. tow Ratings are not acceptable
Actually according to Australian law the manufacturer's tow rating are acceptable up to 4.5 tonnes as long as you have the proper tow bar and electric brake which according to Performax all their import conversions have. After 4.5 tonne, the trailer must be equipped with air brakes therefore the truck must be equipped with an air brake kit. According to Performax, once this air brake kit is installed, then the vehicles can tow up to the 9 tonne max of the car license class if the manufacturer's tow rating for said vehicle allows it. I would email them if you have any questions about it. They were very helpful in answering all my questions.
Yes they are talking about 5th wheeler GCVWR,19,000lb. you require air brakes. Not US bumper tow capacities which are illegalThe centrepiece of the blue oval truck is a 6.7-litre turbo diesel V8 that churns out a hearty 328kW of power and 1166Nm of torque. Drive is sent all four wheels via a six-speed automatic – culminating in a maximum braked towing capacity of 4.5 tonnes (9, 900lbs) in Australia. Payload capacity, meanwhile, is rated (seemingly conservatively) at 1100kg. As a comparison it's worth noting that a diesel-powered 4x4 dual-cab Ford Ranger is capable of towing 3500kg and has a payload of 1132kg
ShinerBock wrote:
RobertRyan wrote:
A F150 can be driven on a car licence. A F250/ F350 can also be driven on a car licence.
Of course an F150/F250/350 can be driven on a car licence. Did you not read what i said above? They purposely downgrade their GVM so that be driven on a car licence.RobertRyan wrote:
U.S. tow Ratings are not acceptable
Actually according to Australian law the manufacturer's tow rating are acceptable up to 4.5 tonnes as long as you have the proper tow bar and electric brake which according to Performax all their import conversions have. After 4.5 tonne, the trailer must be equipped with air brakes therefore the truck must be equipped with an air brake kit. According to Performax, once this air brake kit is installed, then the vehicles can tow up to the 9 tonne max of the car license class if the manufacturer's tow rating for said vehicle allows it. I would email them if you have any questions about it. They were very helpful in answering all my questions.
Yes they are talking about 5th wheeler GCVWR, you require air brakes. Not US bumper tow capacities which is illegalRobertRyan wrote:
A F150 can be driven on a car licence. A F250/ F350 can also be driven on a car licence.
Of course an F150/F250/350 can be driven on a car licence. Did you not read what i said above? They purposely downgrade their GVM so that be driven on a car licence.RobertRyan wrote:
U.S. tow Ratings are not acceptable
Actually according to Australian law the manufacturer's tow rating are acceptable up to 4.5 tonnes as long as you have the proper tow bar and electric brake which according to Performax all their import conversions have. After 4.5 tonne, the trailer must be equipped with air brakes therefore the truck must be equipped with an air brake kit. According to Performax, once this air brake kit is installed, then the vehicles can tow up to the 9 tonne(19,841 lbs) max of the car license class if the manufacturer's tow rating for said vehicle allows it. They said if you needed to tow more than that then an LR licence would be required which is the case for the 350/3500 DRW that are rated to tow more than that with a fifth wheel like this Chevrolet 3500 DRW that is rated to tow 10.2 tonne (22,487 lbs). I would email them if you have any questions about it. They were very helpful in answering all my questions.GVM and licensing
In Australia, a car driver licence is limited to driving vehicles up to a maximum GVM of 4495 kg (9900 lb). Beyond this, a different class of licence is required. A vehicle with a GVM under 4495 kg is termed a light vehicle, while those over 4495 kg are termed heavy vehicles.
Many models of truck, for example F-Trucks, Silverado or GMC Sierra Denali, are manufactured to have a GVM rating of 5000 to 7000 kg (11,000 to 15,400 lb) but sold with the option of a GVM of just under 4495 kg so that they can be driven on a car licence. This is called a GVM downgrade.
As a government-approved provider, Performax International and its dealers may be able to assist with GVM downgrades on some vehicles to allow driving on a car licence. This is covered under state legislation, therefore differs from state-to-state.
A F150 can be driven on a car licence. A F250/ F350 can also be driven on a car licence. A F550 No. U.S. tow Ratings are not acceptable
Anything slightly over 4995kg goes from a Ute to a light Truck. No big deal.Most RVers would need a light truck licence for a larger Motorhome, it applies to Pickups, trucks, motorhomesYou have probably been given the correct info re licence. Apparently if you are purchasing a new F350 you need to make sure it's de-rated to 4995kg GVM or you will have to get a light truck license to drive it and it will have to go through a machinery inspection every year like any other commercial truck. Probably no way around it with an F450
RobertRyan wrote:
European and Australian.ratings do not give US Pickups the same ratings as in the U.S., cuts both ways.
Most do like the Land Rovers, Jeeps, Nissans, and other identical for the most part even down to their GAWR. What is not the same are the trucks for the most part. Many of the midsize trucks over there that have a GVWR of 7,000 or more over there are less over here due to regulation.
The only trucks that are less over there from the US for the most part are the full size conversions. However, that mostly has to do with licensing from to what the guys over at Performax(one of Australia's leading converter of US imports) told me in an email. They purposely downgrade the trucks to fit in the class C licence for their customers who don't want to have to buy a LR licence. They said since the GVM is downgraded then so is the tare (payload) since the tare weight is determined by subtracting the trucks curb weight from the GVM. If you downgrade the GVM then you will automatically downgrade the tare(payload) as well. They even led me to their website where it says:
"GVM and licensing
In Australia, a car driver licence is limited to driving vehicles up to a maximum GVM of 4495 kg (9900 lb). Beyond this, a different class of licence is required. A vehicle with a GVM under 4495 kg is termed a light vehicle, while those over 4495 kg are termed heavy vehicles.
Many models of truck, for example F-Trucks, Silverado or GMC Sierra Denali, are manufactured to have a GVM rating of 5000 to 7000 kg (11,000 to 15,400 lb) but sold with the option of a GVM of just under 4495 kg so that they can be driven on a car licence. This is called a GVM downgrade.
As a government-approved provider, Performax International and its dealers may be able to assist with GVM downgrades on some vehicles to allow driving on a car licence. This is covered under state legislation, therefore differs from state-to-state."
Performax Towing Guide- This more like 40 years ago with our Renault. At that time it was even hard to even find the correct metric sized tires and required a visit into a large city. The fuel filler was under the rear hood next to the hot engine - I never heard of engine fires but think about it every once in while in retrospect today.
