Hi All,

Just about ready to reg the motorhome but 2 seperate discussions with vicroads call centre have given us 2 different policy interpretations and costs to register this rig. One person has stated vicroads see it as a 3 axle, the other said 2 ( we are confused)!!!

Can anyone shed some light on the interpretation of 3 axles not more than 2 metres apart from the wheel centres are regarded as 2 axles.

Thanks in anticipation

John and Kaz

Wycheproof Vic

Sorry I can't help with a MH, but for trailers (Vans) the following applies: Ozjohn.

Within a group of axles:

• two axles must not be more than 2 metres apart;
• three axles must not be more than 3.2 metres apart overall.

All axles in a group must be interconnected by a load sharing suspension except in a close-coupled axle group (where the two axles in a group have their centres not more than one metre apart, three axles not more than 2 metres apart or four or more axles not more than 3.2 metres apart) provided that the load carrying capacity of each axle in the group and the wheels and tyres fitted to it is:

• at least 120% of the load on that axle with the trailer at its ATM; and
• at least equal to the load on that axle with the trailer at its ATM and any retractable axle retracted.

Load sharing suspensions must be designed so that each axle in a group carries the same load irrespective of the relative movement of the wheels.

johmandkaz wrote:

---

Hi Ozjohn,

This is where im a little ( or a lot confused )

Within a group of axles:
two axles must not be more than 2 metres apart; ( Thats ok in regard to the drive and tag axles as they fall within the regs)

three axles must not be more than 3.2 metres apart overall.

Would this incorporate the front axle aswell. In saying that, our bus is 12.2 metres long thus the distance between the front and back axles is significantly more than 3.2 metres

Thanks for your Help

John and Kaz

Wycheproof Vic

---

Blimey, this is difficult to explain on paper, so I'll go about it in reverse................

The ruling is talking about "SETS" of axles, that is front sets, and rear sets. 

Forget the front sets, you don't have a set, you have one.  (Some vehicle have what is called twin steer and these have TWO axles in close proximity that both turn when cornering, this is a set. 
Your vehicle has ONE front axle, it is not a set and it is not measure from the rear axles either.   

What is applicable is the SET at the back of the vehicle, the DRIVE axle and the TAG axle, it is these two axles that must be no more than two meters apart. 
The axles are measured from the centre line of one axle to the centre line of the other axle.

Now to confuse, well hopefully not, but to try to explain what they are talking about.
IF..IF..IF your vehicle had, a rear DRIVE axle (that's one), a lazy TAG axle (which is what it has got now - that's two) AND a load dependant TAG axle, (that's three)
(the third being an axle that lowers to the ground automatically when the weight above the drive (axle one) and lazy tag (axle two) dictates that the loaded weight necessitates the need to have another set of tyres on the ground (axle three))  THEN you would apply the 3.2 meter rule.   

PHEW!!!!  You onle have two axles, 2 meters centre to centre, that's it.

Clear as mud!!??

If your still unsure, take a look on the web at Semi Trailers, that'll explain all.  If not I'll find some pictures for you.

Mark