3 Central Tips When Considering GVM Upgrades for Your Commercial Fleet

Posted on: 24 February 2022

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If your commercial business relies on a fleet of trucks or Utes to move various types of cargo and loads, investing in GVM upgrades can be a wise idea. GVM or gross vehicle mass is typically the maximum your truck weighs when fully loaded. Ideally, this is the total sum of kerb mass, any extras (racks, bull bars or winches) plus the payload. Exceeding the predefined manufacturer's GVM can jeopardise your vehicle's safety.

However, it's possible to increase the maximum allowable weight for your trucks by opting for GVM upgrades. In turn, this increases the vehicle's capacity and, ultimately, the amount of cargo it can handle without compromising safety. Additionally, upgrades protect you from potential lawsuits you might face after surpassing the required load ratings. Keep these three essential tips in mind when opting for GVM upgrades for your commercial fleet:

Evaluate the potential Load

It's always important to find out the total weight your truck should handle after a GVM upgrade. Also, remember that GVM includes overall weight on your vehicle, including the driver, passengers and any additional load. For this reason, determine the total potential mass you'll be handling to achieve a worthwhile upgrade.

Evaluating the potential is imperative when choosing the most appropriate upgrade options. Furthermore, it helps you determine if the upgrade option selected is the most ideal for your vehicle type. If the required upgrade is exceptionally high, consider investing in a new truck that can handle the change.

Consider Upgrading Your Suspension Systems

If you intend to perform minor GVM upgrades on your commercial fleet, there is no need for choosing complete upgrades. Full upgrades are typically costly since you must change multiple components, including the truck's height and wheel fitments. However, a minor GVM upgrade can help attain the required results. For instance, upgrading the suspension system alone might be enough to meet the desired goals for your commercial fleet.

Don't Forget Insurance and Warranty.

Last but not least, when considering GVM upgrades, work with a service provider that's insured and offers reasonable warranties. Furthermore, GVM upgrades do not affect your truck's warranty or insurance coverage, provided that they are legally performed by licensed and approved experts. However, it would be prudent to consult your dealer or manufacturer, as well as your auto insurance company, before making any GVM upgrades.

If you run a commercial fleet, consider these three crucial tips when opting for GVM upgrades to make the most of it.