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Merv and Di

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Posts posted by Merv and Di

  2. tug vehicle question

    in Public Forum

    Posted

    Some interesting read for all courtesy of a like minded forum.

     

    ts not confusing its set down in law 

    How can I explain it My Cruiser was rated at towing capacity 3500kg however its GCVM was 6460kg which was the GVM of the tug and the GTM of the van if I had a 300kg ballweight.

    You are towing the 3500kg but the ball weight is absorbed by the tug If you take the GVM of the Tug and the ATM of the Van you have counted the ball weight twice. You cant load the tug to GVM THEN hook up and be legal.

    Plain and simple. Doesnt matter what the manual says. THATS THE LAW

    The manual says GVM 3260 with a download of 150kg. To increase the ball weight to 250kg you have to remove 100kg of the payload to keep it at the 3260 by the added 100kg ball weight. To increase the ball weight to 350kg you have to remove 200kg and your GVM would still be 3260kg.

    Well it would on my scales 3260 inc 150kg add extra 100kg bw =3360 so remove 100kg of gear = 3260kg
    3260 GVM inc the 150 BW add 200kg of ballweight =3460 so remove 200kg of gear =3260kg 

    As I said Shifting deckchairs You add it on and have to take it away to remain constant.

    It is illegal to load your car over the plated GVM.

    If your van is 3500kg and that is your tugs limit you can tow it but the ballweight is transferred to the tug.

    Incidentally ballweight is always measured disconnected from the tug and remains that weight forever regardless of what you do with it.
     

  3. tug vehicle question

    in Public Forum

    Posted

    21 hours ago, HAVAGO said:

    Just a couple of points of interest Gary,

    Dept of Transport Enforcements have always had the power to book Van owners and have not ever needed traffic branch to look over their shoulder.

    You are getting confused as most between tare weight and Gross Vehicle Mass, two entirely different measures.

    Tow Vehicle has GVM of 3.3 tonne what is tare of your vehicle, tare plus load with van attached not to exceed 3.3 tonne

    Van has GVM of 3.5 tonne what is tare of your van, tare plus load on the back of vehicle not exceed 3.5 tonne

    Gross Combination Mass not to exceed based on this knowledge 6.8 tonnes

    Vehicle sitting unhooked weighs example 3.1 tonne

    Van weighs loaded 3.7 tonne

    If your ball weight comes in at 200kg you are perfectly legal

    Happy travels

     

    Not if your vans compliance plate states 3500kgs.  If you exceed that weight on the plate regardless of your overall weight,  (GCM) tug and van you are overweight.

     

    Merv

  5. Are you happy with your Kedron?

    in Public Forum

    Posted

    Hi all

     

    Ours is a 2012 top Ender and has travelled probably half of the continent on all road types, are we happy with it, you bet.  This van has to be one of the toughest made. Quality is top notch and the aftermarket service is rivalled by none.  Yes, we have had some hiccups and they have been rectified without bating an eye lid, even when the repairs are done down here in Melbourne.  Hardings Caravan Service down here have said that Kedron are one of the easiest Companies to deal with when it comes to after market work.

    If we were to upgrade would we purchase another, within a heart beat......The only thing that you have to watch with any of these upper build vans is their weight, they are heavy, but that is one of their strengths.  You put one of the 20'+ behind one of the American trucks and they will give you one of the most efficient, relaxing tow experience of all.

     

     

    Cheers

     

    Merv/Di

    • Like 3

  6. Preferred Hitch

    in Public Forum

    Posted

    Hi all

     

    McHitch Auto Coupler has just won the top hitch award in the testing done by Caravan & Motorhome Mag.   Some interesting reading in relation to the testing and the other hitches involved.

     

     

    Cheers

     

    Merv

    • Like 2

  7. Preferred Hitch

    in Public Forum

    Posted

    On 31 May 2016 at 10:05 AM, GrantCarol said:

    Once again seeking your advice; the hitch on our ATV, I believe, needs replacing, it's as old as the 'van and I'd be far more comfortable with a new one.  It now comes down to choice, the DO-35 or the McHitch, is one 'better' than the other, what's the preferred choice among KOG owners?  

     

     

    It certainly sounds like you two are going to have a hard time deciding which way to go in answer to your question if any of the above posts are any indication.

     

    Good luck with your choice

     

    Merv

    • Like 2

  8. Preferred Hitch

    in Public Forum

    Posted

    Hi Grant & Carol

     

    I think you will find that most have and will stay with the McHitch and if changing would be installing the new auto coupler by McHitch.  It works extremely well as a marriage saver.  Don't forget that the DO35 has only a 3.5t rating and I think without knowing the length of your van that minimum you need is the 4.5t mchitch, that way you have little wiggle room with weight.

     

     

    Cheers

     

    Merv

    • Like 1

  13. Big Red Bash 2016

    in Public Forum

    Posted

    Hi Big Fish

     

    From all of the reports about last year you would have to stay out there just for the atmosphere apart from that it is nearly 40ks out from Birdsville on the dirt and if the weather gets a little wet that road can chop up pretty quick.

     

    Enjoy

     

     

    Merv

  15. Awning Arm covers

    in Public Forum

    Posted

    25 minutes ago, Steve and Kez said:

    I find them to be very good. I got mine from Kedron. I actually got them thrown in at the time of purchase.

     

     

     

    Cheers

     

    Ditto, and probably one of the best buys at the time.  The amount of wear that front arm would have copped after our dessert/Cape trips would have left the arms badly worn and damaged.  Any good trimmer should be able to knock up a set just remember to have them face to the rear.

     

    Cheers

     

    Merv

  16. Replacing aging components on XC 2002

    in Public Forum

    Posted

    Hi Ash

     

    I believe the LED change over wasn't cheap, the last time I asked Kedron they were quoting $90.00+ per light globe so I gave up on the idea.  As far as the plastic yellowing I have been looking at simply replacing the entire light with a change over to the newer 250mm exterior strip light and rubber plugging the four holes if the power lead hole is not too large, it will all depend on the size of that hole...

     

    Cheers

     

    Merv

  17. New Members MnM

    in Introduce yourself to the Members

    Posted

    Hi Murray

     

    Welcome to the forum, I have to agree with Tony there is a heck of a lot of info here for the asking.  In regards to your query about shocker hitches etc it might pay for you to have a look at a set of rear air bags as helpers for both your vehicles to assist you towing and give you a little bit more control.  Have a look at page 6  Landcruiser 200 or Silverado in the Public Forum section, there was some discussion about the shocker hitches.

     

     

    Cheers

    Merv

  18. Landcruiser 200 Series or Silverado

    in Public Forum

    Posted

    Hi Neville

     

    Are the sensors removable from the bar similar to the Land Rover Discos (they pop in/out) if so you could have a bar drilled to suit and slip the sensors in.  Just a thought.  

     

    I have just had a quick look at their web site and the sensors look almost identical to the Disco so they should be removable (don't cut) and have the new bar drilled accordingly, if they will do it.

     

     

    Cheers

     

    Merv

  20. Lake Eyre

    in Public Forum

    Posted

    Hi John and welcome to the forum.  

     

    You are pretty limited for places to stay with easy access to Lake Eyre, William Creek to leave your van at if the road down to Halligan Bay camp ground is too rough or if passable down at the Bay itself.  William Creek has light plane flights over the lake.   Just remember you will need a Dessert Parks pass. Heaps of places to stay while travelling along the track at the old sidings and at Algebuckina Bridge, Coward Springs.  All the others you shouldn't have any problems, just remember to drive to the conditions and drop your tyre pressures.  Check out the road condition for the Oodnadatta Track prior to travel as it can be closed pretty quickly after rain.  

    Marree Camel Races on the weekend of 9th July which could be of interest to you if you are starting from the southern end.  All in all it should be a great trip for you.

     

    Cheers

     

    Merv

    • Like 2

  21. Drinking water hoses

    in Introduce yourself to the Members

    Posted

    Hi Peter

     

    Most drinking water hoses are food grade but you pay for what you get.  Saying that we always run all water through a double filter (Sediment and Silver) before it goes into the van and have never had a problem.   Our hoses are Pope brand from Bunnings.  You might have to drain the tanks and refill after filtering.

     

     

    Cheers

     

    Merv

  23. 200 series landcruiser GVM upgrade

    in Public Forum

    Posted

    Hi Peter

     

    Just check with Lovells, there seems to be a question of when increasing your GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) on the tug to 4000kgs  does this in fact then lower your towing capacity?  I have spoken to a couple of guys that I used to work with in Vehicle Safety Testing and they have questioned the validity of whether or not the towing weight is increased with this upgrade. their opinion is the opposite.  Their line of thought is that it actually lowers the towing capacity as mentioned in a previous post.    Food for thought...I would be doing a little more digging in relation to this question.  There is definitely a lot of confusion when it comes to GVM and GCM on the Toyota 200 Series (new).  When you increase your GVM this only applies to the carrying capacity of the vehicle within the vehicle including all accessories, fuel etc and tow ball weight, load capacity not towing capacity.  GCM is the the gross combination mass, the total weight of the vehicle and what is being towed this what has to be increased and to simply increase your GVM does not necessarily mean an increase of your GCM, confused yet...welcome to the club with a lot of others.

     

     

    Cheers

     

    Merv

    • Like 1
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