Alltrac 4WD Newsletters

305 South Rd Mile End SA 5031

What’s News

This newsletter is out a bit early and the next one will be a bit late as I am taking a months leave in New Zealand. Brad and Scott ably assisted by Dave and Brett will look after you in my absence.

Recent Trips - Clean up Australia Day - Coorong Cleanup

Technical Update - Vehicle overloading.

There is only one way to find out - put it on weigh bridge and check. This is best done twice, once empty and once fully laden. Front and rear axles should be weighted individually. Don’t forget to include passengers, food, water fuel etc.

On the vehicle compliance plate [normally under the bonnet] the GV or GVM [ Gross Vehicle Mass] is stated.

Maximum weights on each axle are prescribed on the tyre placard normally in a door opening or glove box.

All motor vehicles legally must comply with ADR’s [ Australian design Rules ] and the manufacturer has proven that the vehicle complies with these rules up to the GV stated on the compliance plate. We all know that heavily laden vehicles will not brake and handle as well as when lightly laden and we must drive accordingly. Many times we improve the suspension and brake system to help with this. - But - Once we load the vehicle beyond the designed GV we are unable to prove that the vehicle still complies with ADR’s and of course it will not handle or brake as it was designed to do. Overloading may place you in the situation should you have an accident of driving an un-roadworthy vehicle. Possibly leaving you open to prosecution and the vehicle un-insured.

In the case of vehicle roll over there have recently been some instances of insurance companies insisting that the vehicle be weighted in the condition it was in at the time of accident prior to unloading.

Firstly see if you have a problem.

Secondly decide if you wish to carry any potential risk yourself.

If you do wish to take some action look seriously at your loading and accessories and see if there are items you don’t need. If the removing stuff is not an option we may be able to help.

With modifications to suspension and an inspection and report from our consulting engineer a modified compliance plate can be installed to legally increase the GV. In that case of my own Toyota 100 series the GV has been legally increased from 3260kg to 3580kg, a substantial improvement.

Fuel Economy Survey.

Not a great response from our March newsletter re fuel economy but we did get four replies so below is the summary of these.

We are happy to receive more fuel economy fedd back and can publish these on a regular basis.

2005 Prado 3.0L Turbo Diesel Auto - Average over 3578km 11.08L/100km with little variation from towing to 4WDriving to unladen.

1997 Prado 3.6L Petrol/LPG Auto. - Since new 26643km 15.2L/100km mainly city running with 3 large trips, of about 4 weeks each without caravan.

2006 Patrol 4.2 Turbo Intercooled Diesel tray top with “Carry Camper” - On road average 14.2L/100km Off road average 13.2L/100km

1998 Patrol 4.5L Petrol manual - On road heavily laden with roof rack approx 3.5ton 100kph to 105kph 20-21l/100km.

On station tracks etc with load diminishing [fuel, water, food, booze etc] 70-80kph up and down through gears 23-25L/100km.

My 2004 100 Series Turbo Diesel manual - Many times running very fully loaded with large caravan and boat on roof average over 30,000km 16.5L/100km. Open highway carefull driving 100kph no wind or hills 13.8L/100. Fully loaded as described above with wind and hills and heavy 4WD without the van but with boat and camping gear. 19.25L/100km.Alltrac 4WD - Professional 4WD Service, Repairs, Modifications, Wheel Alignment, Suspension Systems, Diesel/Gas Conversions.