Weighed today

I have spoke several times, when this thread started, with a engineer in NSW who does this work and he was quite happy to do the testing and increase the GVM of D3/4's if the vehicle passed the tests. It was going to cost around $1,800 from memory. I know others on here who have increased the GVM of Defenders with the same engineer.

I asked what he thought the increase might be and he said it if passed then it more then likely wouldn't be a large amount but it would be some. What does that mean? Only time would have told if I had gone ahead with it but I had spoken originally about needing up to another 150 kg if possible.

As for possible shortened life expectancy of lower control bushes etc then that is a wear and tear issue nothing else. If you want to carry more weight and have the GVm increased legally and are prepared to pay the extra maintenance costs involved then that's your choice.

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Originally Posted by Tombie

The 200kg on the ball doesn't come off of the payload according to LR.

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I've taken the drastic measure of opening the manual and so far I've found a reference to it being ok on Europe to exceed the GVM by 100 kg when towing. So not even an engineering thing. The book seems - quite rightly - concerned with axle loads more than anything. Tricky for those playing at home!

Also - if vehicle loaded to GVM then ball weight must be limited to 150 kg, if trailer braked then 250 kg. However vehicle payload must be restricted by at least the same amount to ensure GVM and axle weights aren't exceeded.
So ball weight has to be at least 7% of trailer mass which is... 245 kg for 3.5t. That's some pretty neat maths!

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Originally Posted by TerryO

I have spoke several times, when this thread started, with a engineer in NSW who does this work and he was quite happy to do the testing and increase the GVM of D3/4's if the vehicle passed the tests.

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Hey Terry,
Did you mention to the engineer about the existence of the armoured D3/D4 in other markets? Their suspension arms, bearings, bushes, etc are designed to handle their GVM of 4050kg.

Thinking about this some more - the other items which might need to get upgraded, are the wheels. The 930-950kg rated LR wheels would need to go. Then the big question would be whether we would really need to go to the 6-pot callipers/big brake solution used on the armoured D3/D4.

As I said Rob, I only asked about the possibility of around a 150 kg to maybe a 200 kg increase. I had mentioned that there was a armoured D4 with a 4050 GVM and he was not that positive about that kind of increase.

If it was possibly to increase the GVM by 150 kg then a D4's new GVM would become 3390 kg, that is not a major increase, so not sure why the wheels would need to be changed if they are rated at 930 to 950 kg each?

I worked out that a increase 150 kg would allow all the mods I would like and to tow a van the size I am considering. Remember an increase in GVM does not flow onto a increase in GCM, that remains the same.

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Originally Posted by jonesy63

Then the big question would be whether we would really need to go to the 6-pot callipers/big brake solution used on the armoured D3/D4.

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I went form a D4 fitted with 2.7 brakes to a RRV with 6-pot Brembos and the D4's 2.7 brakes are sharper at my speeds up to 100 kph at least. On a final short drive in the D4 last week I was over-braking in traffic using the same pedal pressure as I use for the RRV yet the RRV is only around 100 kg heavier than the D4.

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Originally Posted by TerryO

As I said Rob, I only asked about the possibility of around a 150 kg to maybe a 200 kg increase.

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Yes - you've mentioned that already a couple of times before. :p

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Originally Posted by TerryO

I had mentioned that there was a armoured D4 with a 4050 GVM and he was not that positive about that kind of increase.

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You hadn't said this bit. I am also wondering why the engineer thinks he knows more than the LR engineers? Maybe he meant while keeping standard LR 3L brakes and wheels?

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Originally Posted by TerryO

If it was possibly to increase the GVM by 150 kg then a D4's new GVM would become 3390 kg, that is not a major increase, so not sure why the wheels would need to be changed if they are rated at 930 to 950 kg each?

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They wouldn't - but wheels would need to be changed if moving to GVM of 4050kg.

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Originally Posted by Graeme

I went form a D4 fitted with 2.7 brakes to a RRV with 6-pot Brembos and the D4's 2.7 brakes are sharper at my speeds up to 100 kph at least. On a final short drive in the D4 last week I was over-braking in traffic using the same pedal pressure as I use for the RRV yet the RRV is only around 100 kg heavier than the D4.

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Maybe more about disc size and fade than outright braking power? I had the same feeling comparing our big-braked RRS to our previous 2.7 D4, but the D4 needed new pads and rotors by 60 000 kms so perhaps there's different softer materials being used too?

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Originally Posted by TerryO

I had mentioned that there was a armoured D4 with a 4050 GVM and he was not that positive about that kind of increase.

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I suppose if nothing else it wouldn't do much for the ride quality if the suspension was designed for an extra 400 or 500 kg than it was carrying.

Why not just carry less **** and have a smaller, lighter trailer? :wasntme:

Do you really need all that bar work, tyres, and fuel for 99% of the time? Why not a smaller trailer? Seriously. Do you actually need all that room in your van? It seems to me that there is plenty of available GVM and GCM in most 4wds but people take waaaay too much crap with them. Go on an equipment diet and get out there and enjoy the world. Stop lusting after things you don't really need.

(Now crouching preparing for the onslaught of the "but I need a microwave and satellite dish to enjoy the bush" brigade.) 😃