Is it time for national uniformity in relation to 4WD modification rules?
The ongoing confusion over exactly what impact the proposed 4WD law changes in Queensland will have on caravanners and other drivers has highlighted another major issue … a lack of interstate uniformity.
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) and the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) have issued a statement calling for national uniformity in relation to 4WD modification rules.
“It makes no sense to think that vehicles which are highly likely to cross state lines are subject to different modification rules and we do want to see the Queensland Government take into account the 4WD suspension modification rules that apply in all of the other states and territories,” said AAAA Executive Director, Stuart Charity. “There is currently a disconnect between Queensland and New South Wales on suspension height upgrades and this is of major concern – but to imply that you can’t upgrade a vehicle in Queensland any more is simply not true and has caused major alarm amongst that state’s 4WD and caravanning community, representing hundreds of thousands of motorists.”
The organisation says that some of the issues surrounding the planned rule changes have been exaggerated, and that the AAAA – the nation’s peak body for the manufacturers, distributors and retailers of automotive parts and accessories – is continuing to work constructively with the Queensland Government on their proposed state-based 4WD vehicle modification standards.
For its part, the CIAA – the peak national body for the caravanning and camping industry – has warned that political uncertainty over policy does little to stimulate or provide confidence to the 4WD and caravanning markets.
“The modern-day caravanner crosses many state borders and the lack of harmonisation of state-based regulations does nothing other than confuse the market,” said Stuart Lamont, Chief Executive Officer of the CIAA. “As one country, the concept of barrier free travel must be a priority to ensure that the many regional areas that the travelling caravanning community frequents are able to be enjoyed in a safe and legal manner and without frivolous impediment.”
Both the AAAA and CIAA say they are ready to assist in bringing all of the parties together to achieve national consistency in relation to 4WD vehicle upgrades.
As a person working with the heavy vehicle industry across the Eastern States it is not only lite vehicle modification laws that need to be harmonised. We still have the NHVR working with States to try to move freight more efficiently but each State continues to interpret laws that have the same wording differently! 4WD upgrades which change the CVM need to be worked through urgently as the heavy freight industry is at blunt end of this when it all goes pear shaped for the people towing vans beyond the allowed CVM.
The sooner we get fully NATIONAL & uniform road rules, laws etc the better
All rules and regulations should apply across Australia as a hole,
this is one Country. Or at least I thought it was, Not just the industries mentioned! But all industries!
It is past time that all state and territory government transport ministers of all political persuasions pulled there heads out of the dark place they hide and got together and brought the regulations and road rules of each state to be the same Australia wide set of rules that everyone can understand.
“There is currently a disconnect between Queensland”.
And the rest of the planet.
I firmly agree. There needs to be uniformity across the board. It’s ridiculous that each state has a different interpretations of the same laws/rules. It likely extends beyond motoring, towing, RV’s/Caravans and heavy vehicle transport.
Hi, Having a mate of mine a manager of QLD transport has said to me that the QLD government has done nothing at all to change to rules in QLD. Someone is story telling here. Also to change the rules they have to be done federally. So like the yellow green blue shakles that everyone’s now got off some idiot on f. K/ book telling porkys find the FACTS out first.So if someone can put up QLD Goverment facts show US.
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There was uniformity, the GMV upgrade is a federal recognised alteration. In Victoria the vehicle is inspected and registration details changed to be recognised nationally. It is only that QLD has chosen to step outside of national guidelines that has created the uncertainty.
Its about time these politicians and beacracts realize we are one country not seven and stop wording about your jobs and get job done properly
I agree. If they spent they time on the real issues that Affect the country. ( as they are paid to do) instead of buttering their own pockets, Australia would be great again. So get on and do what you were put there to do.
One of the main issues with caravaning is that a lot of people do the wrong thing before buying a caravan is needing to do a caravan course. Of course this doesn’t apply to people that have driven trucksor heavy vehicles that have an understanding. As I have had heavy vehicle licence for years and towed and lived in a large caravan I have seen so many people inexperienced at knowing anything about their van in which they are towing or even know how to reverse it other than in a short straight line. I have been a caretaker for a number of years for a showground and things you see in what people can’t and should know about their caravan. You can change or bring out new laws but you need to get back to beginning of basics. Knowing just the weight of your van is just one thing as I have seen people never check over their van or car after a hundreds of k’s in the day they travel ie. wheel nuts,tyre pressure, under the bonnet type things. One of the things I have seen is just because they have a new van or car they think nothing can go wrong even after they had it serviced, they a are machines anything any time can go wrong trust me I know. Been there I’ve had the experience. If your load distribution looks out that will draw attention to police or criticism. In final you can never be over cautious when you are looking towing a van. There more I could say this most important I have dealt and come across.
While we have premiers the states will not unify with roads laws. If Queensland won’t allow suspension modification after purchase, just take your vehicle’s to another state have them modified and an mod plate installed. Bob’s your uncle.
If you get a truck license you do a coarse and exam, you buy a large SUV load it with a tinny large camp fridge hook up a 3 1/2 tonne van, all on a car license, I often see the results on the side of the road, bits of aluminium cladding clothes, bedding, wheels and axle facing the sun.
It is a worry travelling interstate as you might get fined for something that is totally legal in your home state. Good way to ruin a holiday
Mark is correct, towing 16ft and under is easy enough but above that you diffinitially need instruction. Law inforcement should be one nationally body
Get rid of state Governments!
It would resolve so many problems.
Of course the state bureaucrats would campaign heavily against such a proposal!
I have a 2011 land cruiser and had the rear leaf spring suspension replaced with coils. It doesn’t carry any heavier load but the ride is much smoother and more directionally stable, this also making the rear track the same as the front, making it a much safer vehicle to drive.
Does this modification make the safer to drive vehicle illegal?