WEIGHTLIFTING

INCREASING THE GVM OF YOUR 4X4 SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN SHOULD NOT BE AVOIDED IF YOU NEED IT. WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS ON OUR FORD RANGER TO EXPLAIN HOW TO GET IT RIGHT

- MATT RAUDONIKIS

GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) upgrades seem to be a subject of constant conversation whenever you're hanging out with anyone building up a new 4x4 to carry lots of gear and tow large trailers. But what is GVM and why does it matter? And do you really need to upgrade the GVM on your vehicle?

After recently jumping through the hoops of a GVM upgrade on our FordRanger we thought it time to look at the topic again, and ghopefully make your choices easier.

Gross Vehicle Mass is the maximum weight your vehicle can legally be when driving on the road, including fuel, accessories, passengers, cargo and any weight on the towbar. The GVM is not a figure that the authorities pluck out of the sky to ping you on, but is set by the vehicle manufacturers as to what they have designed and engineered the vehicle to safely and competently carry on and off road.

The figure relates to many things including the weight of the components, the driveline's capability, the rating of the axles, the tyres fitted to the vehicle, which have their own load rating, and what the vehicle is designed to do.

Load your vehicle in excess of the stated GVM and you are taking it beyond its safe rating, and should anything go astray when driving over weight, you could be liable for any damages, injuries or even deaths that might occur as a result of your actions.

It's up to the driver to know the GVM of the vehicle they are in control of and the weight it is carrying at any time. Pleading ignorance on the side of the road after an accident won't hold sway with authorities, or your insurance company, and you could be in for a world of pain as a result.