GVM Upgrades

All you need to know about GVM Upgrades

When you buy a 4WD/SUV vehicle the manufacturers design includes a standard gvm rating for Weight/Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM). This value is not as high as it could be.

This legal load limit could cause you some problems. Do you plan on taking your vehicle up to and even beyond these limits? If so then it is good that you’re reading this page about gvm upgrades! Many people don’t even realise that they are operating their vehicle beyond the legal load limit. This has serious implications for their safety and their wallets. Safety-wise vehicle with too much weight, even an awesome new 4WD, could experience poor handling on or especially off-road putting you and your family at serious risk of an accident. Most insurance companies require you to keep within the legal boundaries of the vehicles compliance. If you were to have an accident and the vehicle is found to be overloaded this could void your insurance. Even if you get a GVM upgrade make sure it includes a compliance plate for your registration. This ensures that you are legally compliant and you can tell your insurance company about the vehicle modification (more on that below). You should also use a reputable mechanic (like us) to ensure your vehicle’s warranty is unaffected.

Load Carrying

As we said above, many people don’t even realise they are over their maximum gvm when they carry heavy loads. This could be either in the vehicle or resting on their tow ball, i.e. their towing capacity is resting on the rear axles. Consider this typical scenario, a work ute (Hilux) for a tradie…

1. Add in a couple of adults
2. Add some equipment onto your vehicle: steel tray, tow bar, roof racks, side steps, bull bars, water tanks, long-range fuel tanks, and more you have easily added 150-350kg+ to the axle weights.
3. Now add some equipment for work or pull that off and load up with camping gear for a trip. Either way, you can easily hit and often exceed the maximum legal load limits of your vehicle.

You might be surprised to know that the GVM of some of Australia’s most popular cars, as per the design specification and rating from the vehicle manufacturer.

Increase your vehicle’s load carrying capacity:

The GVM on most 4WD/SUV vehicles can be increased by our team between 100-500kg. It really depends on the individual models. There are too many to list. When you get in touch with us please be clear about your vehicle’s make, model and year. Once we have these details we can make a determination, review the gvm upgrade kits available, and provide recommendations.

GVM upgrades – Do you need one?

Load ratings are important to know for any vehicle owner, especially if you plan on towing a trailer, towing a caravan or even increasing the length of your Ute’s tray*

The rear axle typically has a higher load rating than the front axle, and the total weight of the vehicle (GVM) shouldn’t exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you do exceed any of these ratings, you’ll need to get a GVM upgrade. So it’s worth familiarizing yourself with load ratings and knowing what the capacities are for your particular make and model of vehicle. Armed with this knowledge, you can enjoy peace of mind while out on the open road.

What’s involved in a GVM upgrade?

Upgrading your GVM (gross vehicle mass) requires fitting a new, stronger suspension system to the rear axle of your vehicle. The brakes and axles should be in good condition – an approved engineer will need to check the compliance plate and individual axle weights on your vehicle before any modifications can be done. Once testing and inspection has been completed, a GVM upgrade kit can be fitted to your vehicle.

When the GVM upgrade kit has been installed the rear axle of your vehicle will be inspected by an authorised automotive engineer in your state and you will be issued with a compliance certificate.

This process ensures that your vehicle meets the required safety standards for use on public roads. Upgrading your GVM is a great way to improve the performance and handling of your vehicle, and it’s something that any car/4wd enthusiast should consider doing.

Existing Vehicle Modifications

If you’ve got a 4WD that’s already been modified, or you’re planning on doing some modifications, then it’s important to know how this will affect your vehicle’s GVM.

Modifications to the suspension, such as adding larger tyres, a bull bar, or aftermarket shocks can also have an effect on GVM. These items all add to the total weight of your vehicle. It is important to check with your modifier or insurer whether these changes will be covered under your policy.

FAQs