GVM upgrades allow you to
increase the total allowable
weight of the vehicle – typically
done to a new vehicle and often
done before first registration, or
in conjunction with a dual-cab
conversion to something like a
200 Series Landcruiser. Our
sister publication Caravan and
Motorhome Magazine has
extensively researched and
tested all facets of GVM
upgrades, particularly with
long-time expert Ken O’Keefe
from the Ultimate Suspension.
Here’s his take on the matter.
IS HEAVY-DUTY
ALWAYS BEST?
“There’s a difference between
heavy-duty suspension, and
upgraded suspension that’s
tailored to your exact needs,” he
says. “For instance, we offer
three types of suspension
upgrades. The first is standard
height with heavy-duty
components, the second is a
raised ‘comfort’ lift and the third
is a raised heavy-duty kit. If you
fit heavy-duty front springs to a
vehicle that doesn’t have dual
batteries, a winch etc then you
make things worse because the
stiffer springs don’t work at the
right frequency, can’t open
properly and won’t let the front
tyres hold proper contact with
the ground at times.”GVM UPGRADES
Does a GVM upgrade that
consists of upgraded
suspension, and possibly
brakes and tyres, really
improve a vehicle’s weight-
handlingh capacity?
“Put simply, yes,” Ken
explains. “With a GVM upgrade,
the vehicle becomes more
stable in adverse conditions
because of the suspension and
the brake systems’ ability to
perform.”
And that’s even before we
start talking the legal side of
things. Did you realise for
instance that to stay within your
vehicle’s true payload capacity,
you must subtract the number of
seats in the vehicle, times
68kg+7kg (ADR-assumed
average passenger weight, plus
7kg for luggage each)? That
means for instance if you’re
carrying a full load of yourfamily in a seven seat wagon,
you need to subtract a whopping
525kg from your maximum
allowed payload AND towing
capacities just to stay legal.
No wonder then that GVM
upgrades are such a popular
modification to vehicles. As a
registered vehicle engineer, Ken
has access to ADR data thatshows what a vehicle’s GVM can
be increased to, going off its
maximum axle load capacities. If
that all sounds like a minefield,
then you’re right – unless you
enlist the services of an expert
with experience in GVM
upgrades who has done it
hundreds of times before, like
The Ultimate Suspension.GVMs & UPGRADES
A GVM upgrade is often
done in conjunction with a
wheelbase extensionIn some cases, a GVM
upgrade even includes extra
bracing of the chassisW
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