looking at fitting a storage box to the rear of a motor home, does anyone have any comments, ideas, regulations etc is there any size limitations.

thanks

Thanks mike, can you give me a dummies explanation of the 60% rule.

Hi Poppy

I am no expert but from what I have read the rear overhang on a vehicle must not exceed 60% of the distance between the front and rear wheels when measured from the center of the rear wheel.

EG if the distance between your front and rears wheels measures say 4mtrs then the distance from the center of your rear wheel to the rearmost extremity of your motor home can not exceed 4.0 x 0.6 (60%) = 2.4mtrs.

Examples can be found at http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/2F262671-0ACB-4856-A9F1-D022A465E536/0/vrpin01833.pdf

cheers

Mike

Thanks again, that makes sense.

Hi mike, 

Thanks for the advice. We measured our van from the centre of the rear axle (rear wheel centre) and found it to be 3,9 m to the front end. So according to the 60% rule the distance frpm the centre of the rear wheel to the most rear piont can be at best less than 2,4 m. The van already measured more than that 2,4 m. I planned to attach a frame with a genset but it seems now not within regulation. am i rigth with my understanding of the rule?

your advice will be appreciated.

Hi Laurens Lee

The rule I am talking about relates to Trucks and buses not Caravans.

There is some detail here http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/SafetyAndRules/SaferVehicles/LoadsAndTowing/BuyingASafeCaravan.htm

Where it indicates that a caravan is basically a pig trailer.

Based on that statement and referring to the previous chart  http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/2F262671-0ACB-4856-A9F1-D022A465E536/0/vrpin01833.pdf

It states that "The rear overhang must not exceed the length of the load carrying area or body ahead of the overhang line" it also states the maximum allowable at 3.7 M

If you look at the sketch it defines the load carrying area as the distance between the axle and the front of the body (excluding A frame)

Looking at the drawings if you have a tandem axle then the measurements are taken from the center point of the two axles not the rear wheel.

It should be noted that these are Victorian regulations and you should check your own states rules as they may differ.

Cheers

Mike 

Hi guys, as you can see I have a couple of boxes on the back, one with a BBQ, the other with a generator. As long as it doesnt stick out too far, sneak it in. I have made mine removable. Mike is right in legal requirements. I have been travelling like this for about 9 yrs and no one has stopped and measured me up.... seems like they have better things to do than pull out the tape measure.

Cheers
George

I have been in 6 AND 7 regarding adding a couple of boxes to the rear of our van. I could have purchase a Gennie box from Mates Rates but it was 50 cm in depth and would therefore protrude to far from the rear bumper bar of the van. I finally decided to have one custom made to suit and it is a much better set up.  Had to box made so that I do not have to lift the Gennie above the box to store same, box fitted with fold dlwn front on hinges. Also on the opposite rear side under the number plate sits a medium size tool box.

Jay&Dee

Hi all

Thanks for your input. My problem is that the van already exceed the 60% rule by +- 100mm as from the factory. To add 500 mm to the rear seems to exceed the limit. The question now is to do or not to do. If i do i nullify my insurance and it seems to be illegal anyhow? What shall we do? Apply for an amendmend of the law? Lol

JayDee wrote:

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I have been in 6 AND 7 regarding adding a couple of boxes to the rear of our van. I could have purchase a Gennie box from Mates Rates but it was 50 cm in depth and would therefore protrude to far from the rear bumper bar of the van. I finally decided to have one custom made to suit and it is a much better set up.  Had to box made so that I do not have to lift the Gennie above the box to store same, box fitted with fold dlwn front on hinges. Also on the opposite rear side under the number plate sits a medium size tool box.

Jay&Dee

 

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 That sounds great JayDee, do you have any photos, where did you get it made (melbourne maybe) and hate to be rude but can you give an indication of cost?

thanks again, Poppy.