New RTA Roadworthy Bulletin

[bogged]

didnt gujohnno say while back about something about the new MAX tire regs comin out being 31's ?? cant find the thread :(

[slosh]

sorry monty but in nsw its actually 1200mm to the centre of the headlights is the max allowed. in last 4wd monthly they did the build up of the 100 series with 35's and 4/5 inch lift and the engineer told them it was over the allowed height.

The entire headight must be under 1200mm. Which isn't a bad height- most trucks can get 35's and 4" or so suspension lift with this.

[ozrunner]

My second thought is this. We buy lift kits from companies for example Tough Dog. Their kits are good and if someone is prepared to engineer a 4-6 inch lift from this company why cant there be a system whereby the product sold eg patrol 4 inch lift kit and if fitted by a authroised workshop be legal for a little more in the price. What i mean by this is you dont need to get your truck engineered because the product is alreeady deemed safe by the RTA or other authority. Its always the same lift kit it doesnt change from truck to truck.

Precisely and what I alluded to earlier. They have to start somewhere but I think in time this type of scenario may occur down the track, ie the actual respective kits are engineer approved and you only require a quick trip over the pits to ensure its fitted correctly etc etc.

But it would be good to be able to get some sort of idea from ALL the States that a National code is actually in the wind.

Actually, I am starting to have some doubts on this Statewide code when reading such comments as initially posted by V6XtraHilux. Seems NSW may still be doing their own thing as some of those comments do not match what our State authorities have indicated will be the norm.

JD

[bad_religion_au]

didnt gujohnno say while back about something about the new MAX tire regs comin out being 31's ?? cant find the thread :(

so i have to run a smaller tire than stock?

[Gribble]

I think there is a whole lot of speculation and just plain heresay in this thread. When/if this bulieten is released i will get a copy at work and post it here.

If i get time ill even call the RTA and find out what the go is, end it once and for all.

[V6XtraHilux]

all the comments have been fair, and alot have been emotional, specially since i first posted the thread.

Ozrunner, u make some great points and have alot of fantastic ideas, as have alot of the other guys, but at the end of the day, like i said initially, it seems that the RTA and engineer that I spoke to had a bug up their collective arses, and he did blow hot air uphimself as he kept referring to "accidents that I had investigated with the RTA" and "i am a member of the industry representative board on the development of this new bulletin" and " i rang the RTA last week to see where this Bulletin was, as they had promised it last month" etc etc.

If the new bulletin comes out in the form that the Engineer was talking about (which was the basis on my original thread), it will restrict all vehicles currently modified. Im hoping that the backlash from such a Bulletin from fellow readers and 4wdrivers causes such a responce that REAL policies are implemented, not just what some bearucratic pencil pushers want.

Lets hope the RTA is basing this bulletin on a nationwide stratergy of uniformity rather than just NSW, and a bit more "real life" consultation with Engineers, end users (all 4wdrivers) and designers/manufacturers.

Fingers crossed!
K

[ozhumvee]

I've heard that this was coming from the engineer I know too.
The tyre to guard measuremant (along with everything else) is supplied to DOTARS/state organisations by the manufacturer when a vehicle is submitted for ADR compliance and registration, so it is freely available and easy to find out. Just pop into your local RTA (the ones that do heavy vehicle inspections particularly) and they will have a huge folder with all the specs on every vehicle on the road.
I once tried to get a 75 series troopy registered under 2 tonne, had a weighbridge certificate that said it was, Well the bit I had weighed was ;-)) they wouldn't accept it and referred to the tare supplied by Toyota in the 'bible'. Eventually after much arguing they let me register it under 2 tonne and consequently much cheaper.

[JemmyBubbles]

WHy don't we all buy shares in Landcruiser Mountain Park and put buggies on the place that folks can hire for a day. This would also be worth considering...

You're right about the hearsay/rumour I guess we can't do much until something final is known.

[ozrunner]

...............If the new bulletin comes out in the form that the Engineer was talking about (which was the basis on my original thread), it will restrict all vehicles currently modified. Im hoping that the backlash from such a Bulletin from fellow readers and 4wdrivers causes such a responce that REAL policies are implemented, not just what some bearucratic pencil pushers want. K

Mate if it does then I'm afraid that probably will be the end of any NATIONAL concensus approach. If what you say turns out to be true, then that is a very draconian response by NSW.

Consistency seems to be dead as I'm looking at a recent bulletin from our DPI Vehicle Safety Branch Technical Section that advises new permitted rules for alternative road wheels and tyres for 4WD's, ie no permit or inspection required etc.

Edited version

1, 8" rim. Used to be 7".

2. Wheel track not to exceed 80mm. Used to be 50mm.

3. Tyre and rim in accord with T&R association.

4. Tyre must be of a type suitable for road use

5. Wheel not to extend past body etc etc

6. Flares not to extend past original bodyline by more than 75mm.

So given 1 & 2 we have got some gains.

Already a lot of guys have gone through the "new permit process" of having their lifted trucks do a controlled swerve test with DPI present etc and many have passed and are fully legal with 6" lifts and 35's etc etc.

It was my understanding that all authorities were going to go this way and as I mentioned previously I have no problem with this and consider it to be a very good outcome for all, ie we can have 8" wheels, 80mm track increase etc etc and a 50mm lift with no requirement for permit etc but if we want to go higher then the avenue is there to do it. It costs but its your choice and its legalised. It also means the POS's would eventually be taken off the road.

Makes me wonder what happens when I visit NSW again !!! QLD DOT initially advised I would not be permitted to travel into QLD with a V8 in my 4WD . But after emailing copies of my permits and papers etc they said I could come on over and if I wanted to stay they would also licence it

I don't think NSW has considered an issue which may have wider ramifications ie,

Have these dudes thought that imposing such a law will affect a much larger group than a few "clubbies" that want a lift etc.

I'm referring to the ever increasing travelling "retiree's" who in the next few years will be a LOT of voters. Many buy a 4wd to do their lifetime ambition to travel Oz. Many also kit out their new trucks with better suspension for the "van" etc etc.

Imagine their reaction when they are told they can't have upgraded springs etc. It cannot work. There at least would have to be rules to allow a miniimum lift etc to cater for the likes of ARB swapping in a 2" lift kit. I think a bit of noise will be made especially from the likes of ARB et al.

Surely the local NSW 4WD association has some answers.

As you say keep the fingers crossed.

JD

[bogged]

My second thought is this. We buy lift kits from companies for example Tough Dog. Their kits are good and if someone is prepared to engineer a 4-6 inch lift from this company why cant there be a system whereby the product sold eg patrol 4 inch lift kit and if fitted by a authroised workshop be legal for a little more in the price. What i mean by this is you dont need to get your truck engineered because the product is alreeady deemed safe by the RTA or other authority. Its always the same lift kit it doesnt change from truck to truck.

But every truck is different.. It may not be the accessory itself thats the issue, but the accessory + the different trucks.

Theres GU's on Exploroz that some dudes tour with that are close to 4 ton (yes over weight by lots). Put that against some comp truck where light weight is almost everything, and you see the issues. So you can see where the issues lie on that theory.
Plus they arent making $ out of us that way