6 x 6 Weight Tolerances?

[GMDMD53]

Doing a trip up to Cooktown across to the Gulf and down to Alice then ?
Guessed I was on the high end of the weight scale so put the rig over the scales. Now wish I hadn't (ignorance is bliss sometimes!)

Gross (GVM) 5980Kg (320kg Over)
Front Axle 1860Kg (210Kg Over)
Middle Axle 2030Kg (80Kg Over)
Back Axle 2080Kg (130Kg Over)

Although not legal I am more concerned about the excess weight on the front axle. Should I be worried?

I can ditch some of the 5 spare tyres. Lose some water. Only fill the fuel tanks to half. But am not sure if I need to.

Does anyone know what the tolerances are?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Mick_Marsh]

Your main issue is being legal.
Remember, these vehicles were rated for up hill and down dale. I'm sure many of these vehicles were overloaded in service. In particular the GMVs. I hear they copped a pounding.

[GMDMD53]

Your main issue is being legal.
Remember, these vehicles were rated for up hill and down dale. I'm sure many of these vehicles were overloaded in service. In particular the GMVs. I hear they copped a pounding.

Thanks for your reply. We have done 650 K's so far and I am feeling a little more confident she can handle it OK. Maybe next trip will take the 1/2 ton trailer or leave some spare tyres at home and take less tools etc.

[123rover50]

I would be interested to know what the axle ratings are as well.
I built mine into a forward control 15 years ago and looking at the front end on it looks as if the wheels are leaning out at the bottom.
How does one check for a bent axle?

Keith

[Mick_Marsh]

I would be interested to know what the axle ratings are as well.
I built mine into a forward control 15 years ago and looking at the front end on it looks as if the wheels are leaning out at the bottom.
How does one check for a bent axle?

Keith
Yep. Mine look as if they are leaning out too. I think they are designed to have negative camber.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/07/830.jpg

For being overweight, I'd be more concerned with the tyre. Then I'd be thinking about the rim.
The army put split rims on the LRPV for a reason. (Yes, I know, not just load.)

There is a photo somewhere of someone loading their 6x6 up with bricks to over 7t. Said the Perentie took it in its stride.
I wonder what the army loaded the GMVs up to?

[GMDMD53]

Your main issue is being legal.
Remember, these vehicles were rated for up hill and down dale. I'm sure many of these vehicles were overloaded in service. In particular the GMVs. I hear they copped a pounding.
Touching base but not wanting to jinx myself. Feeling very confident the excess weight is not an issue.
Have been to Cooktown-Atherton-Normanton-Julia Creek and now outside Mt Isa cruising at between 90 and 100Kph (Speedo Reading) with an average of 20.8 L/100k and the old girl behaving well on the road (Bitumen). Hope the Gravel is the same!

[Bearman]

Touching base but not wanting to jinx myself. Feeling very confident the excess weight is not an issue.
Have been to Cooktown-Atherton-Normanton-Julia Creek and now outside Mt Isa cruising at between 90 and 100Kph (Speedo Reading) with an average of 20.8 L/100k and the old girl behaving well on the road (Bitumen). Hope the Gravel is the same!

She will handle the gravel with ease. That's what they were made for!!:thumbsup:

[weeds]

I wonder what the army loaded the GMVs up to?


Sometimes it depended on the tradesman allocated the the GMV.....most ran around GVM or under.

Given we rarely had access to weigh bridges we didn't have a clue most of the time but I know at times there were some very heavy GMV's.

[GMDMD53]

She will handle the gravel with ease. That's what they were made for!!:thumbsup:

Have found the weak link with my 6x6! I suppose it was just a matter of time.

Clutch started slipping 200 K's from Alice. With careful driving have made it to Alice.

Interestingly found in the log book the clutch has been done twice before, the last time was just 21,000 K's ago.

Have ordered a new stronger clutch, pressure plate, engine and gearbox seals (in case it's oil that is the cause) from KLR AUTOMOTIVE and booked in with Sutton Motors (Land Rover dealer) to have the job done.

In the meantime we have become semi permanent residents in Alice.

[JDNSW]

I'm guessing oil, and the other bit you probably need is the oil pump cover and gasket on the gearbox!

[Bearman]

Have found the weak link with my 6x6! I suppose it was just a matter of time.

Clutch started slipping 200 K's from Alice. With careful driving have made it to Alice.

Interestingly found in the log book the clutch has been done twice before, the last time was just 21,000 K's ago.

Have ordered a new stronger clutch, pressure plate, engine and gearbox seals (in case it's oil that is the cause) from KLR AUTOMOTIVE and booked in with Sutton Motors (Land Rover dealer) to have the job done.

In the meantime we have become semi permanent residents in Alice.

Just a tip for after you have the new clutch fitted. Make sure your wading plug is not fitted to the bottom of the flywheel housing. This will cause any oil leaks in that area to build up and stuff the clutch if it is fitted. Only fit the wading plug if you are going through deep water (like over 500mm deep) Make sure you have a look through the Transport Museum while you are lazing around there waiting for the repairs to be done....Cheers

[GMDMD53]

Just a tip for after you have the new clutch fitted. Make sure your wading plug is not fitted to the bottom of the flywheel housing. This will cause any oil leaks in that area to build up and stuff the clutch if it is fitted. Only fit the wading plug if you are going through deep water (like over 500mm deep) Make sure you have a look through the Transport Museum while you are lazing around there waiting for the repairs to be done....Cheers

Thanks for the tips.

We visited the National Road Transport Hall of Fame yesterday. Saw a few Land Rovers, Lassiter's included.

Parts arrived today so hope from now things will progress.

Parts arrived in 4 days. On the road again in 10 days. Now home again. Will include Stats when the Navigator gives me the figures......

[GMDMD53]

She will handle the gravel with ease. That's what they were made for!!:thumbsup:

Yes she handled the gravel with ease. The worst being the track from William Creek to Lake Eyre which is terrible!!

Just thought I would share these stats with you ...

Carrying in excess of the G.V.M. for 9,882 Km for 33 days, averaging 300 Km a day cruising at between 80 and 90 KPH she used 18.5 L/100 Km of diesel and 1/2 a liter of oil.
Apart from the clutch we did not have another mechanical issue. Although not as comfortable as a modern truck I think these beasts are the best!!

Another thing to note, despite the increased load (4 extra spare tyres and 2 inflatable kayaks) compared to last years similar trip we achieved better fuel consumption this years trip which I can only put down to new slightly taller tyres and free wheeling hubs on the 6WD axle both of which we did not have on last years trip.

[1950landy]

I would be interested to know what the axle ratings are as well.
I built mine into a forward control 15 years ago and looking at the front end on it looks as if the wheels are leaning out at the bottom.
How does one check for a bent axle?

Keith
Keith , You can buy a magnetic camber gauge on Ebay for under $30 with free delivery . We bought one for the race car so we can change the camber for the different circuits, Works well . You just put on the hub center with the wheel on the ground & level ground & it will tell you weather it is positives or Negative & how many degrees it is leaning.
Wayne