At the risk of disturbing a hornet's nest...my van has a GVM of 1377kg according to the paperwork but has a plate riveted to the frame by the manufacturer stating that the "maximum allowable GTM" is 1450kg.
Does anyone know how GVM is established? I have assumed it's determined by the manufacturer, but this discrepancy seems odd. I have contacted Service NSW but am yet to hear back. Obviously I'd like to have the additional buffer though I have tried to make sure I'm under the existing weight.
Cheers.
Are We Lost said
12:08 PM Dec 11, 2024
Ozplanman wrote:
..... GVM of 1377kg according to the paperwork
...... plate riveted to the frame by the manufacturer stating that the "maximum allowable GTM" is 1450kg.
GVM is not really a valid term for a van. It should be GTM (maximum weight on the wheels) and ATM (maximum total weight).
What does the Identification plate show?
I am guessing here but I believe your chassis is designed for up to GTM 1450kg but the manufacturer chose 1377kg for some reason other than an engineering limit. Often, the GTM is set by subtracting the measured towball weight from the ATM. That is not the ideal way, but it happens. It would be quite feasible to have a strong chassis and axle group capable of much more than that, but the GTM may be limited by something else. For example if the safety chains are rated lower, or the coupling, etc.
I don't know about other states, but in NSW there is only one field to record the weight limit of a vehicle. That is shown on registration papers as GVM. I sought advice from the Technical Officer at Transport NSW as to what should be recorded there and was told it should be GTM. Then later, another specialist forwarded their guidance for inspection stations, which clearly showed it should be ATM recorded in that field. My van has GTM recorded there, which I aim to get corrected.
gold dandelion said
12:15 AM Dec 13, 2024
Need Old Mate back again.
watsea said
05:00 PM Dec 13, 2024
Ozplanman,
Are you able to post a photo of your plate?
Maybe there is a discrepancy between what is on your van plate and what is on the papers?
travelyounger said
08:23 AM Dec 14, 2024
Hi
I upgraded my last vans atm few years ago in NSW and all you have to do is take your van to an authorised blue slip provider and they will let you know what your maximum atm is and you take the new paperwork to service NSW
Cheers
Dougwe said
09:24 PM Jan 3, 2025
gold dandelion wrote:
Need Old Mate back again.
no we don't. He was just an ex spurt.
Probably back anyway. Got in the back door.
Possum3 said
03:28 PM Jan 12, 2025
Dougwe, he still looks in every now and again (I spoke to him on Christmas Day) he is well, retired again and loving life.
I believe he regularly contributes to other (Mike's) Forum.
montie said
11:02 AM Jan 13, 2025
The chassis manufacturer sets a rating known as Axle Group Rating which is usually stamped on a plate attached to the chassis and may be stamped on the Vin plate.
The GTM number stamped on the Vin plate is arrived at by subtracting the dry measured ball weight from the ATM.
The manufacturer may have substituted GTM for Axle Group Rating.
Peter_n_Margaret said
11:23 AM Jan 13, 2025
And the GTM stamped on the compliance plate by the van manufacturer may not have any basis in engineering sensibility whatever.
Cheers,
Peter
Marlene6 said
10:34 AM Jun 23, 2025
Not quite on topic.
We upgraded our motorhome to gvm 5200.
Wondering how to put it back to previous gvm so it can be driven w car license.
montie said
11:09 AM Jun 23, 2025
Marlene6 wrote:
Not quite on topic. We upgraded our motorhome to gvm 5200. Wondering how to put it back to previous gvm so it can be driven w car license.
Marlene,
I'm assuming you are talking about an Iveco here.
The GVM upgrade is available on request from Iveco and I believe must be obtained before the vehicle is registered.
I'm thinking that reversing it will require the services of an independent engineer, but you will need to be careful about what available payload (if any) the downgrade will leave you.
You will be going from 5200kg to 4495kg GVM.
-- Edited by montie on Monday 23rd of June 2025 11:12:00 AM
At the risk of disturbing a hornet's nest...my van has a GVM of 1377kg according to the paperwork but has a plate riveted to the frame by the manufacturer stating that the "maximum allowable GTM" is 1450kg.
Does anyone know how GVM is established? I have assumed it's determined by the manufacturer, but this discrepancy seems odd. I have contacted Service NSW but am yet to hear back. Obviously I'd like to have the additional buffer though I have tried to make sure I'm under the existing weight.
Cheers.
GVM is not really a valid term for a van. It should be GTM (maximum weight on the wheels) and ATM (maximum total weight).
What does the Identification plate show?
I am guessing here but I believe your chassis is designed for up to GTM 1450kg but the manufacturer chose 1377kg for some reason other than an engineering limit. Often, the GTM is set by subtracting the measured towball weight from the ATM. That is not the ideal way, but it happens. It would be quite feasible to have a strong chassis and axle group capable of much more than that, but the GTM may be limited by something else. For example if the safety chains are rated lower, or the coupling, etc.
I don't know about other states, but in NSW there is only one field to record the weight limit of a vehicle. That is shown on registration papers as GVM. I sought advice from the Technical Officer at Transport NSW as to what should be recorded there and was told it should be GTM. Then later, another specialist forwarded their guidance for inspection stations, which clearly showed it should be ATM recorded in that field. My van has GTM recorded there, which I aim to get corrected.
Are you able to post a photo of your plate?
Maybe there is a discrepancy between what is on your van plate and what is on the papers?
no we don't. He was just an ex spurt.
Probably back anyway. Got in the back door.
I believe he regularly contributes to other (Mike's) Forum.
The GTM number stamped on the Vin plate is arrived at by subtracting the dry measured ball weight from the ATM.
The manufacturer may have substituted GTM for Axle Group Rating.
Cheers,
Peter
We upgraded our motorhome to gvm 5200.
Wondering how to put it back to previous gvm so it can be driven w car license.
Marlene,
I'm assuming you are talking about an Iveco here.
The GVM upgrade is available on request from Iveco and I believe must be obtained before the vehicle is registered.
I'm thinking that reversing it will require the services of an independent engineer, but you will need to be careful about what available payload (if any) the downgrade will leave you.
You will be going from 5200kg to 4495kg GVM.
-- Edited by montie on Monday 23rd of June 2025 11:12:00 AM