Thread: Towing vs. Being over gvm

Apart from the third row seats, the seat belts are attached to the seats so they come out with the seats. There is no choice.

Originally Posted by BobD

Apart from the third row seats, the seat belts are attached to the seats so they come out with the seats. There is no choice.

Seat belts aren't attached to the second row seats in our D4.

Originally Posted by BobD

Apart from the third row seats, the seat belts are attached to the seats so they come out with the seats. There is no choice.

Only the outer seat buckles and complete centre seat.
Outer seat belts are pillar mounted.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Are you sure? If the vehicle is still officially say a five-seater, then it would have to retain five seatbelts, even if some seats had been temporarily removed, since it has to be possible to return the vehicle to the specification built by the manufacturer. Isn't that right?

The Vicroads website seems pretty clear.

Any change to the seating capacity of a vehicle must be carried out in accordance with VicRoads guidelines.

The relevant guidelines for adding or replacing seats is Vehicle standards information VSI19 - Additional or replacement seats [PDF 168 Kb].

There is no other guideline stipulated.


Seats must have seatbelts. No seat, no belt. If you put the seat back in then the belt MUST be put back as well. In Vic, the number of seats is no longer recorded.

All seating positions must be fitted with the correct type ofseat belt as set out in VSI 21. Side-facing seats may onlybe fitted with lap belts.

Originally Posted by Redback

Seat belts aren't attached to the second row seats in our D4.

OK, but I would like to see you use them with no buckles! I should have said an important part of the outer seat belts is attached to the seats and the entire middle seat belt is attached to the seat.

When I removed two of the centre row seats (RH and middle) I didn't touch the pillar mounted seat belt. I may have removed the third row set belts when I removed them but it was few years ago so I don't remember now. I now have a camper trailer so I don't bother removing seats.

I can't see any problems removing the seats and leaving the pillar mounted seat belts where they are.
When you lay all the seats down in the back of the truck you are changing the configuration of the seating anyway and that is quite legal So by removing them you are just doing the same thing But getting more space at the same time and lowering the GMV.

Originally Posted by BobD

OK, but I would like to see you use them with no buckles!

Wasn't planning on using the seat belt at all, just removing the seats temporarily, like we have with the third row seat, saving weight.

Removing the seat belts infers you're removing the seats permenently, according to Mr Policeman and makes your vehicle illegal in NSW.

Originally Posted by Redback

Wasn't planning on using the seat belt at all, just removing the seats temporarily, like we have with the third row seat, saving weight.

Removing the seat belts infers you're removing the seats permenently, according to Mr Policeman and makes your vehicle illegal in NSW.

I wonder how that works (Police wise) if your just passing through (?).