Today I had a full weight assessment done on my Tug and Caravan. Findings revealed I am 154 kgs above the stated Compliance Plate AGM of 2240 kg despite all caravan storage being under utilised. The AGR for the van is 2900 kg. I have been advised it is practical to get the AGM increased to match this value.
What are members experiences to do this and the costs incurred if no structural changes were necessary?
Today I had a full weight assessment done on my Tug and Caravan. Findings revealed I am 154 kgs above the stated Compliance Plate AGM of 2240 kg despite all caravan storage being under utilised. The AGR for the van is 2900 kg. I have been advised it is practical to get the AGM increased to match this value.
What are members experiences to do this and the costs incurred if no structural changes were necessary?
Hi Graeme. Happy to help,but I must admit to not knowing about AGM or AGR? Perhaps AGM is meant to be ATM? If AGR is some other way of describing the carrying capacity of your van's axle group,it is a very simple and inexpensive exercise to increase your ATM. If you are happy to clarify the details in your post,I am sure that we can provide details to help.Cheers
P.S Just woke up! AGR is Axle Group Rating! Easy job to increase ATM,with little cost.
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 2nd of July 2021 08:27:12 PM
Today I had a full weight assessment done on my Tug and Caravan. Findings revealed I am 154 kgs above the stated Compliance Plate AGM of 2240 kg despite all caravan storage being under utilised. The AGR for the van is 2900 kg. I have been advised it is practical to get the AGM increased to match this value.
What are members experiences to do this and the costs incurred if no structural changes were necessary?
Hi Graeme. Happy to help,but I must admit to not knowing about AGM or AGR? Perhaps AGM is meant to be ATM? If AGR is some other way of describing the carrying capacity of your van's axle group,it is a very simple and inexpensive exercise to increase your ATM. If you are happy to clarify the details in your post,I am sure that we can provide details to help.Cheers
Apologies I made a typo, I typed AGM where it should have been ATM of 2240 kgs. AGR is the maximum rating the dual axles are rated to carry and is specified as 2900 kgs on the Compliance Plate. The van has a G&S Chassis which is rated for 2900 kgs. Hope this provides some clarity. Appreciate your offer to assist. Thanks
Hi Graeme.Because you have an axle rating of 2900kg,there should be little trouble upgrading your ATM.Before I upgrade my van to 3500kg ATM,my axle load rating was 2800kg,which I was told is the maximum for 10" brake drums,so I had to go to 12" for my new GTM of 3200kg. However,as your chassis is rated at 2900kg,it should be relatively easy to get an approved engineer to assist you.Unless you already have two safety chains on your van,you will need to get that sorted if you propose a new ATM above 2500kg. Wheels and tyre size are also to be considered,but the engineer can give advice there.My suggestion would be to increase your ATM as much as possible,within your limitations,as you then will have flexibility.Few of the more popular cars would be incapable of safely towing 2900kg.The cost for my engineer was $450,but included all sorts of suspension modifications and a 4" lift,so that I now have 700mm clearance beneath the van.Probably I haven't covered all points,so please feel free to ask any questions you may have.Cheers
Hi Graeme.Because you have an axle rating of 2900kg,there should be little trouble upgrading your ATM.Before I upgrade my van to 3500kg ATM,my axle load rating was 2800kg,which I was told is the maximum for 10" brake drums,so I had to go to 12" for my new GTM of 3200kg. However,as your chassis is rated at 2900kg,it should be relatively easy to get an approved engineer to assist you.Unless you already have two safety chains on your van,you will need to get that sorted if you propose a new ATM above 2500kg. Wheels and tyre size are also to be considered,but the engineer can give advice there.My suggestion would be to increase your ATM as much as possible,within your limitations,as you then will have flexibility.Few of the more popular cars would be incapable of safely towing 2900kg.The cost for my engineer was $450,but included all sorts of suspension modifications and a 4" lift,so that I now have 700mm clearance beneath the van.Probably I haven't covered all points,so please feel free to ask any questions you may have.Cheers
Many thanks I will contact an engineer here in Tasmania to obtain a quotation. The van presently has many of the options you mention currently installed.
If you are buying a new caravan you can have the ATM rating of your caravan increased from the standard rating simply by asking, without paying any extra for an engineer. When we were buying our Golf Savannah Maxxi 390 we asked for an increased ATM and got a larger ATM on our compliance plate. I don't know whether anything was changed on the caravan but we paid no extra.
If you are buying a new caravan you can have the ATM rating of your caravan increased from the standard rating simply by asking, without paying any extra for an engineer. When we were buying our Golf Savannah Maxxi 390 we asked for an increased ATM and got a larger ATM on our compliance plate. I don't know whether anything was changed on the caravan but we paid no extra.
Hi Derek.What you say is,of course,correct,but I wonder if the reason that van manufacturers keep the ATM down is to avoid scaring-off potential customers who have little understanding of weights,and worry that their little bus won't do the job at hand? Never had a problem upgrading ATM if I wanted.Cheers
Most caravan manufacturers will upgrade the plated ATM to just below the AGR (Axle Group Rating) at no extra cost.
As the majority of prospective buyers match their towing capacity to the van's ATM, manufacturers tend to keep it as low as possible in order not to exclude potential buyers.
If the van is already registered then the services of an engineer will be required to obtain an ATM upgrade.
