Towing with a Heavy Vehicle - Rule Change

Possum3 · Guru

Towing with a Heavy Vehicle - Rule Change

Hey Jim · Guru

Hi Possum,

In a nut shell then, could you do a very very short summary of all this mumbo jumbo in plain layman's terms please.

I'm getting older by the day and not coping as well, with all the Red Tape stuff.

Regards Jim

Cadpete · Guru

From 1 September 2017, a new version of VSB6 will come into force. VSB6 Version 3 deals with the most common modifications to heavy vehicles. The new version is available here.

Following this change, an issue regarding tow couplings has arisen. 50mm ball couplings fitted to motor vehicles and 50mm ball coupling receivers fitted to trailers need to comply with AS4177.2 Caravan and light trailer towing component (please refer to section P of VSB6 for more information).

For many years AS4177 has included a restriction stating that tow couplings are only for use on a vehicle with a GVM not exceeding 5t. However the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is aware that couplings have been fitted to vehicles with a GVM exceeding 5t. This impacts the rating of the coupling as a larger vehicle increases the forces imposed. Rather than simply prohibiting the use of these couplings on vehicles with a GVM exceeding 5t, NHVR has instead proposed an alternate process where a 50mm ball can be used, but with a reduced rating. What this will mean is that as the GVM of a vehicle increases above 5t, the rating of the coupling will decrease from 3500kg down to about 2000kg.

Under VSB6 V3, any new 50mm ball coupling installed on a vehicle with a GVM exceeding 5t will need to have a label affixed that outlines the reduced ratings. For existing 50mm ball couplings, NHVR will be releasing a Vehicle Standards Guide that explains the situation, and encourages operators with existing 50mm ball couplings to label the couplings in the same way new couplings will be labelled. Where the label is attached, this will be the limit of the coupling, yet where there is no label attached, the limit of the coupling will be assumed at 2000kg.

Here's the summary, the underlined bit is my change to highlight the change.

Big Mal · Senior Member

Interesting, I wonder what happens then when recovery by tow truck happens.........................

mezza56 · Senior Member

From what I gleam from this and correct me if I'm wrong , the vehicle is over 5T not the vehicle and trailer combined over 5T ?

DMaxer · Guru

Well Jim, if you have traded your Landcruiser and Jayco for a converted B Double or you are driving around in a gravel truck with a dog trailer for accommodation it would seem you have to pay attention to Possum's latest burst of legal advice.

Otherwise enjoy your next trip.

Possum3 · Guru

Many Nomads (and others) currently towing vans with heavy vehicles and towing car trailers with large Motorhomes which can be affected by the Regulatory changes. Not all on this site subscribe to Austlii DMaxer, not my advice, posted for general awareness for all Nomads.

Bagmaker · Senior Member

Or if you drive a converted bus and tow a trailer loaded with a small car.
So relevant, DMaxer, enjoy your next trip.

Hey Jim · Guru

DMaxer wrote:
Well Jim, if you have traded your Landcruiser and Jayco for a converted B Double or you are driving around in a gravel truck with a dog trailer for accommodation it would seem you have to pay attention to Possum's latest burst of legal advice.
Otherwise enjoy your next trip.

Hi DMaxer,

It had crossed my mind a week back, that I hadn't herd from you for a while. Took a guess that you had finally hung up your wig and gone walkabouts.

You should slow down as you get older, and start smelling the roses.

Nice to see your out and about.

We can't afford a Yank Tank and all that goes behind. We are content with what we have. smile

Jim

rockylizard · Guru

Cadpete wrote:
From 1 September 2017, a new version of VSB6 will come into force. VSB6 Version 3 deals with the most common modifications to heavy vehicles. The new version is available here.
Following this change, an issue regarding tow couplings has arisen. 50mm ball couplings fitted to motor vehicles and 50mm ball coupling receivers fitted to trailers need to comply with AS4177.2 Caravan and light trailer towing component (please refer to section P of VSB6 for more information).
For many years AS4177 has included a restriction stating that tow couplings are only for use on a vehicle with a GVM not exceeding 5t. However the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is aware that couplings have been fitted to vehicles with a GVM exceeding 5t. This impacts the rating of the coupling as a larger vehicle increases the forces imposed. Rather than simply prohibiting the use of these couplings on vehicles with a GVM exceeding 5t, NHVR has instead proposed an alternate process where a 50mm ball can be used, but with a reduced rating. What this will mean is that as the GVM of a vehicle increases above 5t, the rating of the coupling will decrease from 3500kg down to about 2000kg.
Under VSB6 V3, any new 50mm ball coupling installed on a vehicle with a GVM exceeding 5t will need to have a label affixed that outlines the reduced ratings. For existing 50mm ball couplings, NHVR will be releasing a Vehicle Standards Guide that explains the situation, and encourages operators with existing 50mm ball couplings to label the couplings in the same way new couplings will be labelled. Where the label is attached, this will be the limit of the coupling, yet where there is no label attached, the limit of the coupling will be assumed at 2000kg.
Here's the summary, the underlined bit is my change to highlight the change.

Gday...

If your tow vehicle does NOT exceed 5tonne GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) then the change does not apply to you.

As possum suggests (and DMaxer said in a rather confronting and roundabout way), unless you are towing with a converted bus, large motorhome, light rigid truck or perhaps a yankee ute, you can rest easy.

Cheers - John

-- Edited by rockylizard on Friday 1st of September 2017 05:06:12 PM

Bill B · Guru

Big Mal wrote:

Interesting, I wonder what happens then when recovery by tow truck happens.........................

Yes that would appear to be a major problem with this new legislation.

macka17 · Guru

From memory.
Previously.
A vehicle of any weight. Can install a 3.5ton hitch. with a 2 ton ball on it.
He's restricted to 2 ton.
3.5t ball. He's restr, to 3.5ton.

I've never heard b4 of weight restrictions on the tug.
As long as it OVER the weight of item being towed?.

So something new hey.

On Construction. we had\have plenty of 20\30 ton water\Fuel trucks
With a 1\2 in Angle welded\bolted across the rear chassis rails and a 3.5t ball bolted on.
Just for towing their homes(vans) around with them.
and the next grader with a hitch on rear for his home and diesel trlr in Tandem,
won't be the first either.

They ALL over 5t

Looks like a few will have to change balls for yoke and pin hitches. yes.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

When younger . We had a 60mm coupling on Our horsefloat . All fine and well . Until someone borrows your float with 50mm ball ! We changed to high tensile 50mm coupling etc . Much much safer !! Makes a hell mess if float comes off !!

Malc0lm · Newbie

Please see attached copy of the VSG and the link available at www.nhvr.gov.au/files/201709-0684-vsg16-50mm-ball-couplings.pdf
Recieved this from NHVR in relation to the 50mm ball coupling towing issue for vehicles with a GVM over 5t.