WHAT IS A GVM UPGRADE?
A Tough Dog GVM Upgrade allows the vehicle to be certified to carry a greater amount than the originally specified GVM by using their ADR Approved GVM Upgrade kit.
The GVM Upgrade kits have been extensively tested and are designed for a select few makes and models. Here’s how it works:
- Order your Tough Dog GVM Upgrade Kit & Compliance Plate through Wilkinson Suspension Centre
- Drop off your vehicle at our workshop in Bayswater for installation (Installation includes GVM Upgrade kit, Compliance Plate and Wheel Alignment)
- Register your vehicle with revised GVM according to its registration status
- If the vehicle is already registered, you will need to have the vehicle inspected at an authorised Department of Transport inspection station after installation.
- If the vehicle is brand-new and not yet registered, the revised GVM will be applied upon initial registration, after installation.
If your vehicle is fully loaded with tools of the trade or equipped for a long haul off-road touring, your vehicle could become dangerous if it exceeds the specified GVM. Using a Tough Dog Australian Design Rules (ADR) Approved GVM Upgrade can combat these issues.
As a fully-licenced mechanical workshop, we can perform wheel alignments in-house. This means we can supply, install and wheel align your vehicle, offering you a complete service!
Contact us today to book your vehicle in!
Phone: 08 9370 2646
Email: sales@wilkinsonsuspension.com.au
Visit: 81 Beechboro Rd South, Bayswater
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can install a GVM Upgrade?
A Tough Dog GVM Upgrade must be installed by a Tough Dog Authorised GVM fitting facility. DIY fitment or fitment by a non-authorised agent will result in the kit not achieving certification.
Wilkinson Suspension Centre is an authorised fitting agent.
Are GVM Upgrades legal and how do they affect my vehicle’s registration?
You can upgrade the GVM of a vehicle with either ‘Federal’ or ‘State’ approval, depending on whether or not the vehicle has already been registered.
New Vehicles
If your vehicle is brand-new and not yet registered, a GVM Upgrade can be fitted prior to initial registration. The GVM upgrade is undertaken at the ‘Second Stage of Manufacture’ (SSM) which means it is only certifiable by the Federal Government via the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
In this case, the vehicle will be directly registered with the revised GVM. This is known as ‘Pre-Registration’ and thanks to the Federal Approval the revised GVM will be legal in all states of Australia. This will be made clear by the additional compliance plate which comes with the GVM kit and will be fixed to the vehicle.
Existing Vehicles
When changes are made to an already registered vehicle GVM, this must be reported to and inspected by the WA Department of Transport.
If your vehicle is already registered, the GVM Upgrade can still be installed. However, the vehicle will then need to be reinspected for certification by an authorised Department of Transport Inspection Station.
This is known as ‘Post-Registration’ which carries State Approval. Federal Compliance cannot be achieved on a vehicle that has already been registered.
Locations and Fees for inspections can be found on the WA Department of Transport’s website.
These fees are paid directly to the DoT at the time of inspection and are not included in pricing quoted by us for a GVM Upgrade.
What is the revised GVM after installation?
The revised GVM figures can be found on the below table:
| Vehicle |
Original GVM |
Revised GVM After Upgrade |
Toyota Landcruiser 200 Series 2011-On
(GX Only) |
3350kg |
3850kg |
Toyota Landcruiser 200 Series 11/2007-On
(GXL, VX, Sahara) |
3350kg |
3850kg |
Toyota Landcruiser 79 Series Ute 2007-On
(V8 Engine Only) |
3400kg (S/Cab)
3300kg (D/Cab) |
3950kg |
Toyota Landcruiser 78 Series Troop Carrier 2007-On
(V8 Engine Only) |
3400kg |
3950kg |
Toyota Hilux (GGN125R, 126R) 2015-On
Single, Extra & Dual Cab 4×2 Hi-Rider & 4WD Only |
3000-3050kg |
3510kg |
Ford Ranger PX3 08/2018-On
Single, Space & Dual Cab 4×2 Hi-Rider & 4WD Only |
3200kg |
3510kg |
How much does a GVM upgrade cost?
The cost will depend on the vehicle’s make and model, the selected GVM Upgrade and fitment costs. Depending on these factors, prices range between $2,300 and $3,500.
Please note that any costs for vehicle inspections and changes to vehicle registration carried out by the Department of Transport are not included in the above-mentioned pricing.
For pricing specific to your vehicle and needs, please contact our Sales Team.
Does a GVM upgrade increase Towing Capacity?
This is probably the most common question we get asked in relation to a GVM Upgrade!
Towing capacity is based on factors such as the vehicle’s power and torque, rear-axle strength, frame durability and even the grip of the standard tyres.
Therefore, a GVM Upgrade will not increase the towing capacity. To answer this in more detail we first need to explain GCM…
What is GCM?
The ‘GCM’ or ‘Gross Combined Mass’ is the total allowable combined weight of your vehicle and towed trailer.
This is a very important guideline, especially if you are planning to tow a 3.5 Tonne Caravan, Camper, Trailer or Boat behind your fully decked-out vehicle because in many cases, the GCM cannot be changed.
Let’s work through the numbers with a few examples:
Toyota 200 Series GXL – Standard
- Original Maximum ‘Gross Vehicle Mass’ (GVM) = 3350kg
- Original Maximum ‘Braked Towing Capacity’ (BTC) = 3500kg
- Original Maximum ‘Gross Combined Mass’ (GCM) = 6850kg
The formula to calculate the ‘GCM’ for standard vehicles is ‘GVM’ + ‘BTC’. In this example, the ‘GCM’ is 6850kg (3350kg + 3500kg)
Toyota 200 Series GXL – Fitted with a Tough Dog GVM Upgrade
- Revised Maximum ‘Gross Vehicle Mass’ (GVM) = 3850kg
- Original Maximum ‘Braked Towing Capacity’ (BTC) = 3500kg
- Original Maximum ‘Gross Combined Mass’ (GCM) = 6850kg (unchanged by GVM Upgrade)
The same formula can not be used to calculate the ‘GCM’ for upgraded vehicles! In this example, that would mean that ‘Revised GVM’ + ‘BTC’ equals a ‘GCM’ of 7350kg which is 500kg over the maximum legal ‘GCM’ for this vehicle. In fact, the ‘GCM’ of this vehicle remains exactly the same, even after a GVM upgrade!
By increasing the vehicles ‘GVM’ this has actually reduced the total allowable weight of the caravan/camper/boat or towed trailer as the GCM remains unchanged.
(Example figures sourced from the Toyota Australia 200 Series specifications document 2020)
