Lovells Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) Upgrade Capacity and Gross Combined Mass (GCM) Capacity Guide - Effective 11th May 2020
CAPACITY GUIDE
Who can fit Lovells GVM and BTC Upgrade Kits and Warranty/Replacement Parts?
Because the Kits are approved on the basis of Lovells Automotive Systems being a Second Stage Manufacturer, and the responsibility ultimately lying with Lovells, only Lovells Authorised Fitters (Production Facilities) are approved to fit our Kits. All GVM and BTC Upgrade Kit’s are supplied with detailed fitting instructions and appropriate documentation.
Is the GCM Upgraded and is the ANCAP Rating Affected?
Important Information regarding towing and operating at maximum GCM
Due to increased drivetrain operating temperatures at maximum GCM, Lovells suggest engine, transmission/gearbox, transfer case and differential (s) oil changes to be carried out at half the Original Equipment Intervals. Eg. half the interval of the OEM oil changes, say from 24months/200,000km to 12months/100,000km. Failure to accommodate this may result in premature failure of drive train components which may affect warranty. Constant operation of the vehicle at maximum GVM, Towing Capacity and GCM will reduce the Duty Cycle and life of components and this must be taken into consideration by the vehicle operator.
Pre-registration GCM upgrades
Who is a manufacturer?
Has there been a recent change to the law regulating pre-registration GCM upgrades?
What is the position regarding post-registration upgrades?
Towing upgrades post-registration
How does Lovells ensure that any GCM it nominates is accurate?
-
ADR35/05 Testing- Dynamic Braking performance, handbrake performance and gradient starts. -
ADR88 ESC Performance Testing- Sine with Dwell. -
Uprated Axle Assembly Testing- FEA (Finite Element Analysis), lab testing, material testing and CAD modelling. -
SAE J2807 GCM Verification- Driveline and Power train thermal testing. -
SAE J2807 Dynamic Stability testing as a combination. Utilising Lovells test trailer built to SAE standards. This is the only SAE test trailer in the country at present and features include, adjustable draw bar/axle position, adjustable centre of gravity, adjustable moment of inertia, load cells on all components, yaw sensors and data acquisition systems, adjustable aerodynamics and frontal area, adjustable weight distribution with rail slides and interchangeable suspension types. -
SAE J266 Understeer testing as a combination. -
VSB6 GCM verification calculations- Startability and Gradability. -
Combination Vehicle and Trailer Braking test based on ADR35. -
Towing Upgrade Chassis testing and ADR-62/02 testing. -
Towing Upgrade Hitch receiver load testing and durability/cyclic frequency evidence by an independent DIRDC endorsed Test Facility. -
ADR62/02 Evidence- Mechanical Connections between vehicles. -
Laboratory Report ADR-62/02 - 1200lb Weight Distribution System. -
Dynamic Strength Test Report - Lovells 5T Haul Ace All Terrain Hitch. -
Laboratory Report ADR-62/02 - Static Test AS4177.1 -1200lb Weight Distribution System. -
Laboratory Report ADR-62/02 - Static Strength Test. -
Component Registration 47868 Lovells 5T Haul Ace All Terrain Hitch. -
Component Registration 48275 Lovells 1200lb Weight Distribution System. -
Component Registration 48274 Lovells Tow Bar/Drop Shank.
Warranty – OE Components
Can a Lovells BTC Upgrade be complied if a competitors GVM Upgrade is fitted to the vehicle?
No. The Lovells BTC Upgrade can only be complied if a Lovells GVM Upgrade is fitted to the vehicle. This is due to all test data, dynamic testing and ADR compliance has been gained with Lovells parts and design parameters.
Can a Lovells BTC Upgrade Kit be fitted to aftermarket tow bars/wheel carrier extension bars?
No. The Lovells BTC Upgrade tongue/hitch receiver/drop shank can only be attached to the Toyota OE Towbar on the LC200 and is not compliant for aftermarket tow bars. For the Prado, the Lovells BTC Upgrade Heavy Duty Tow Bar Assembly, tongue/hitch receiver/drop shank can only be utilized and is not compliant for aftermarket tow bars or non-Lovells brand Hitches.
Can you use another brand hitch receiver/drop shank/Hitch system or Weight Distribution System other than the Lovells kit parts?
No. The Lovells BTC Upgrade can only be complied if Lovells approved/sanctioned BTC Upgrade parts are utilized. This is due to all test data, load testing, dynamic testing and ADR compliance has been gained with Lovells parts and design parameters.
Can you fit a Lovells GVM Upgrade and Lovells BTC Upgrade and Replacement Parts yourself or can your local mechanic fit the kits?
Can the Lovells GVM Upgrade and BTC Upgrade Kits be fitted to vehicles with KDSS?
Yes. Our Fitting Instructions come with full detail for our Fitters on how to adjust and reset KDSS. Some vehicles trim perfectly, whereas, some require trimming with D/S strut spacers. Height from D/S to P/S within 10-15mm is acceptable on KDSS equipped vehicles.
Is the GVM and BTC Upgrade legal in all States and Territories?
DEFINITIONS
Who can fit Lovells GVM and BTC Upgrade Kits and Warranty/Replacement Parts?
Because the Kits are approved on the basis of Lovells Automotive Systems being a Second Stage Manufacturer, and the responsibility ultimately lying with Lovells, only Lovells Authorised Fitters (Production Facilities) are approved to fit our Kits. All GVM and BTC Upgrade Kit’s are supplied with detailed fitting instructions and appropriate documentation.
Is the GCM Upgraded and is the ANCAP Rating Affected?
Important Information regarding towing and operating at maximum GCM
Due to increased drivetrain operating temperatures at maximum GCM, Lovells suggest engine, transmission/gearbox, transfer case and differential (s) oil changes to be carried out at half the Original Equipment Intervals. Eg. half the interval of the OEM oil changes, say from 24months/200,000km to 12months/100,000km. Failure to accommodate this may result in premature failure of drive train components which may affect warranty. Constant operation of the vehicle at maximum GVM, Towing Capacity and GCM will reduce the Duty Cycle and life of components and this must be taken into consideration by the vehicle operator.
Pre-registration GCM upgrades
Who is a manufacturer?
Has there been a recent change to the law regulating pre-registration GCM upgrades?
What is the position regarding post-registration upgrades?
Towing upgrades post-registration
How does Lovells ensure that any GCM it nominates is accurate?
-
ADR35/05 Testing- Dynamic Braking performance, handbrake performance and gradient starts. -
ADR88 ESC Performance Testing- Sine with Dwell. -
Uprated Axle Assembly Testing- FEA (Finite Element Analysis), lab testing, material testing and CAD modelling. -
SAE J2807 GCM Verification- Driveline and Power train thermal testing. -
SAE J2807 Dynamic Stability testing as a combination. Utilising Lovells test trailer built to SAE standards. This is the only SAE test trailer in the country at present and features include, adjustable draw bar/axle position, adjustable centre of gravity, adjustable moment of inertia, load cells on all components, yaw sensors and data acquisition systems, adjustable aerodynamics and frontal area, adjustable weight distribution with rail slides and interchangeable suspension types. -
SAE J266 Understeer testing as a combination. -
VSB6 GCM verification calculations- Startability and Gradability. -
Combination Vehicle and Trailer Braking test based on ADR35. -
Towing Upgrade Chassis testing and ADR-62/02 testing. -
Towing Upgrade Hitch receiver load testing and durability/cyclic frequency evidence by an independent DIRDC endorsed Test Facility. -
ADR62/02 Evidence- Mechanical Connections between vehicles. -
Laboratory Report ADR-62/02 - 1200lb Weight Distribution System. -
Dynamic Strength Test Report - Lovells 5T Haul Ace All Terrain Hitch. -
Laboratory Report ADR-62/02 - Static Test AS4177.1 -1200lb Weight Distribution System. -
Laboratory Report ADR-62/02 - Static Strength Test. -
Component Registration 47868 Lovells 5T Haul Ace All Terrain Hitch. -
Component Registration 48275 Lovells 1200lb Weight Distribution System. -
Component Registration 48274 Lovells Tow Bar/Drop Shank.
Warranty – OE Components
Can a Lovells BTC Upgrade be complied if a competitors GVM Upgrade is fitted to the vehicle?
No. The Lovells BTC Upgrade can only be complied if a Lovells GVM Upgrade is fitted to the vehicle. This is due to all test data, dynamic testing and ADR compliance has been gained with Lovells parts and design parameters.
Can a Lovells BTC Upgrade Kit be fitted to aftermarket tow bars/wheel carrier extension bars?
No. The Lovells BTC Upgrade tongue/hitch receiver/drop shank can only be attached to the Toyota OE Towbar on the LC200 and is not compliant for aftermarket tow bars. For the Prado, the Lovells BTC Upgrade Heavy Duty Tow Bar Assembly, tongue/hitch receiver/drop shank can only be utilized and is not compliant for aftermarket tow bars or non-Lovells brand Hitches.
Can you use another brand hitch receiver/drop shank/Hitch system or Weight Distribution System other than the Lovells kit parts?
No. The Lovells BTC Upgrade can only be complied if Lovells approved/sanctioned BTC Upgrade parts are utilized. This is due to all test data, load testing, dynamic testing and ADR compliance has been gained with Lovells parts and design parameters.
Can you fit a Lovells GVM Upgrade and Lovells BTC Upgrade and Replacement Parts yourself or can your local mechanic fit the kits?
Can the Lovells GVM Upgrade and BTC Upgrade Kits be fitted to vehicles with KDSS?
Yes. Our Fitting Instructions come with full detail for our Fitters on how to adjust and reset KDSS. Some vehicles trim perfectly, whereas, some require trimming with D/S strut spacers. Height from D/S to P/S within 10-15mm is acceptable on KDSS equipped vehicles.
Is the GVM and BTC Upgrade legal in all States and Territories?