Thread: Who is aware the truck 100KPH limit applies to GCM 4.5Tonne?

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Some of the Police on this site may have better information, but as I understand it for the purposes of this rule would be the actual GCM at the time not the legal GCM. Otherwise every 1 tonner and 4WD in the country would be limited to 100KPH.

The speed limit for an OKA doesn't change depending on it being loaded or not. The way that is written I suspect that, technically, we may all be limited to 100, well maybe not the Freelanders.

Tony

OK Digger,
Since your listening, what is your take on it.
Is it the GCM or the current combined mass?

Tony

I think you will find that the towing vehicle has to be over 4.5 tonnes, otherwise you would be required to pull into RTA Checking stations and have to have a log book to show rest periods, etc., Regards Frank.

this is from the RTA in W.A.

Learner drivers 100 km/h

Vehicles towing caravans or trailers 100 km/h

Buses and coaches over 5 tonnes

Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) 100 km/h

Vehicles with a Gross Combined

Mass (GCM) over 12 tonnes 100 km/h

Originally Posted by Tank

I think you will find that the towing vehicle has to be over 4.5 tonnes, otherwise you would be required to pull into RTA Checking stations and have to have a log book to show rest periods, etc., Regards Frank.

Its coming, several of the permanent checking stations already have GVM 4.5 Tonne must enter signage.

As for the towing vehicle being 4.5tonne, that's not what the NSW Rules say: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fragview/inforce/subordleg+179+2008+pt.3-rule.25+0+N'tocnav=y " (3) The default speed limit applying to a driver for any other length of road is:

(a) for a driver driving a vehicle with a GVM over 4.5 tonnes or a vehicle and trailer combination with a GCM over 4.5 tonnes—100 kilometres per hour, or

(b) for any other driver—100 kilometres per hour or as otherwise provided under another law of this jurisdiction.

Note 1. Combination and trailer are defined in the Dictionary, vehicle is defined in rule 15, and GCM and GVM are defined in the Act.

Note 2. Subrule (3) (a) is not uniform with the corresponding paragraph in rule 25 of the Australian Road Rules. Different rules may apply in other Australian jurisdictions.

Originally Posted by TonyC

OK Digger,
Since your listening, what is your take on it.
Is it the GCM or the current combined mass?

Tony

Well it is the GCM not the current.

"GCM (gross combination mass) of a motor vehicle means the greatest possible sum of the maximum loaded mass of the motor vehicle and of any vehicles that may lawfully be towed by it at one time:

(a) as specified by the motor vehicle’s manufacturer, or

(b) as specified by the Authority if:

(i) the manufacturer has not specified the sum of the maximum loaded mass, or

(ii) the manufacturer cannot be identified, or

(iii) the vehicle has been modified to the extent that the manufacturer’s specification is no longer appropriate." NSW Legislation

So I wonder when they're going to start booking all 4WD and I tonner utes for doing the 110KPH speed limit???

My D4 is 2.7T with a ATM of 3.5T making 6.2T GCM, so if I have a 6X4 box trailer I'm restricted yet the Ford Falcon with the same box trailer isnt restricted to 100KPH.

Maybe we should all start turning up to those 4.5-tonne checking stations on masse, with 4wd + empty trailer. I imagine the RMS would delight in the pleasure of all the extra work they now get to do.


Actually, wouldn't it have to be a braked trailer to put it over 4.5t? As the 750kg mass limit on an unbraked makes for GCM's under 4.5t?

I'll be safe then.
I've almost approached the Grey Gonad status and in the Defender, whether towing or not, dont often do 100 k's, because I dont want too.

Originally Posted by Quarks

...Actually, wouldn't it have to be a braked trailer to put it over 4.5t? As the 750kg mass limit on an unbraked makes for GCM's under 4.5t?

No as I read it, the D4 has a GCM of 6.740 Tonne so when it's in a combination, even though the trailer has an ATM of 750Kg the GCM of the D4 is the ruling factor.

However at 2.7T unladen the D4 and any trailer with a GVM of 2T takes you over 4.5T GCM if it has to be both the tow and trailer.

From the NRMA website: http://www.mynrma.com.au/motoring/caravan-towing.htm
Am I permitted to follow the speed limits when towing?
Mostly, yes. However, though the national speed limit for towing combinations of less than 4.5 tonnes is the posted speed limit, except in WA (100km/h for trailers over 750GVM), some vehicle manufacturers apply a speed restriction to their vehicles under certain conditions. If these are ignored, your insurance and warranty may be waived. We recommend you travel at 80 km/h and under. It's better safe than sorry.

Diana