GVM & GCM Upgrades

At The Ultimate Suspension, we specialize in providing comprehensive upgrades that enhance both Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and Gross Combination Mass (GCM), allowing your vehicle to safely and legally carry and tow heavier loads. Our expertly engineered solutions ensure that your vehicle's load-carrying and towing capacities are optimized, improving overall handling, stability, and safety.

GVM and GCM Upgrades Explained
GVM upgrades increase your vehicle's maximum load capacity, crucial for those who frequently carry heavy equipment or gear. GCM upgrades extend this capability by enhancing the total mass your vehicle can tow, including trailers or caravans. Whether you're upgrading a pre-registered or post-registered vehicle, our tailored solutions ensure compliance with all legal standards, safeguarding your investment and providing peace of mind.

With over 45 years of experience, The Ultimate Suspension is the trusted choice for GVM and GCM upgrades across Australia, serving private vehicle owners, commercial fleets, and even the Australian Defence Force. Let us help you maximize your vehicle's potential with our top-tier upgrade packages.

When purchasing a GVM kit, ensure to verify with your provider that the GCM is not adversely affected.

*Note : Some GVM kits will actually decrease your towing capacity, check with Ultimate Suspension pre-purchasing

The Ultimate GVM & GCM Upgrades

What is a GVM upgrade?

Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) upgrades are an independently engineered and tested suspension solution that allows a legal increase in the payload of vehicles to exceed the limitation(s) specified by the manufacturer.

Why would I need or want a GVM upgrade?

GVM upgrades can provide improvements in your vehicle's load-carrying capacity, the ride and handling of the vehicle, as well as better towing stability.

Many 4WD's in Australia are modified with a range of aftermarket equipment and accessories that are designed to to enhance both on and off-road capability and/or to increase storage and loading capacities. These modifications typically result in considerable additional weight.

Most factory standard 4WD vehicles and light trucks have a GVM which is designed with little or no load margin over an above a full load of fuel, luggage and passengers. Any additional vehicle weight will likely result in the approved vehicle GVM being exceeded. The legal and safety implications in this case are substantial.

The towing of a trailer, boat or caravan adds further complexity.

What happens if I exceed my GVM?

Operating a vehicle beyond it's legal load limit can in some cases void the insurance policy(s) and may result in fines and/or litigation. Exceeding the approved GVM limit may result in a vehicle being impounded. For businesses and commercial operators, upgrading of vehicle(s) GVM can provide legal protection for liabilities and claims made for breaches in occupational health and safety regulations and/or employee negligence.

With determining a vehicle's GVM, an important fact often overlooked is that the ball weight of a caravan or trailer is calculated as part of the vehicle's GVM when attached.

What is involved in a GVM upgrade?

GVM upgrade options and requirements are determined by the following factors:

Pre or post-registration vehicle modifications
Suitability and serviceability of relevant existing components
Specific objectives for the proposed vehicle operations including maximum load
Rating of tyres and wheel rims
Braking capacity
Financial budget

Taking into account all of the above variables, The Ultimate Suspension can design, supply and install the optimal GVM upgrade package to suit your specific requirements.

The Ultimate Suspension can typically complete your GVM upgrade on average in 2-5 days.

Will a GVM upgrade affect my new car warranty?

In most cases a GVM upgrade will not affect the warranty of the vehicle. This must however be determined prior to installation and should be confirmed with the vehicle manufacturer.

What can I expect from a GVM Upgrade?

A GVM upgrade will increase the payload and generally improve the driving dynamics, handling and reliability of the vehicle.

Typically a brake system upgrade is recommended due to the added load capacity. Effective brake systems are a critical safety item. Read more about brake upgrade options.

Why choose us for your GVM upgrade?

The Ultimate Suspension are the trusted name in GVM upgrades for all vehicle types. For over 45 years we have been providing our products and services to private, commercial and fleet operators as well as to the Australian Defence Force, Government Agencies, United Nations peace keeping forces and international armoured vehicle manufacturers for both wheeled and tracked vehicle applications.

Australian Ultimate Suspension are authorised suppliers and installers of all leading brands of GVM upgrade and brake upgrade kits and components.

Which GVM packages do we offer?

The Ultimate Suspension provide pre-registration and post-registration second-stage of manufacture GVM Upgrades with a comprehensive range of options from industry-leading suppliers including JMACX, Lovells, Tough Dog, Dobinsons, and ARB.

We design fully-Engineered packages to meet the specific requirements of vehicles including 4WD, commercial and tow vehicles. Our suspension systems deliver improved load-carrying capacity, superior handling and better reliability.

Our vast experience will allow us to provide the ultimate GVM upgrade for your vehicle. Get in touch with us to discuss your requirements.

What is a GCM?
Gross Combination Mass (GCM)
GCM is the greatest possible sum of the maximum loaded mass of a motor vehicle, and any vehicles that may be lawfully towed by it at one time. The GCM on a passenger vehicle is not stamped on any compliance plates - it is specified in the owners manual or upon request from the manufacturer to disclose.

Pre-registration GCM upgrades
A vehicle’s GCM is first nominated by the original manufacturer (OEM).
There are various organisations, known in the industry as ‘second stage manufacturers’ (SSMs), that are frequently engaged to upgrade vehicle capacity, prior to first registration. Some SSMs, like Lovells, update the GCM to reflect the change in capacity as a result of the upgrade.
Lovells believes that when there has been an upgrade to vehicle capacity pre-registration, it is important for any change to the vehicle’s GCM that has resulted from the upgrade to be noted. Lovells believes this is important for numerous reasons, including for accuracy and safety.
Lovells understands that an updated GCM may be specified by a manufacturer and believes it is good practice for manufacturers to do so.

Has there been a recent change to the law regulating pre-registration GCM upgrades?
There has been no recent change to the law regulating pre-registration vehicle upgrades.
Lovells understands that the longstanding position for many years has been that while the Federal Department does not assess, endorse or approve GCM upgrades, it equally does not restrict or prohibit GCM upgrades. Lovells understands this longstanding position has not changed.
Importantly, this means that:

Vehicles that Lovells has previously modified are legal in all States and Territories.
Lovells is permitted to plate vehicles with gross vehicle mass (GVM) upgrades and towing capacity upgrades under the approved RVD (as stated in Lovells SSM approvals and as noted on current RVDs).
Lovells is permitted to modify GVM/GCM/towing capacity or variants of these modifications in all States and Territories prior to first registration.

GCM upgrades post-registration
Lovells understands that the current position in relation to GCM upgrades in each State and Territory is as follows:
NSW, SA and VIC recognise a revised GCM specified by a SSM if endorsed by the inspecting engineering signatory. The signatory must be an endorsed engineer who has access to our Evidence Packages. Endorsed engineers’ contact details are available upon request.
Tasmania recognises a revised GCM specified by a SSM.
Queensland no longer recognises a revised GCM above the GCM nominated by the OEM. However, on 22 January 2020, Queensland TMR released a statement to the industry that “TMR is exploring options for the issue of a new code that deals with GCM increases. TMR is working closely with Industry on this task, and in particular the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA). Whilst TMR’s priority remains on road safety and national consistency, it is optimistic that a technically sound and separate code-based solution for GCM re-rating can be developed”.
WA, ACT and NT no longer recognises a revised GCM above the GCM nominated by the OEM if the vehicle is modified after first registration.

Is the GCM Upgraded and is the ANCAP Rating Affected?
Note that The GCM (Gross Combined Mass) is not noted on our Second Stage of Manufacture RVD (Road Vehicle Descriptor) nor is GCM noted on the Original Equipment Manufacturers RVD. A GCM figure is also not noted on any OE or SSM Federal Compliance plate, however the figure is usually gazetted or published in handbooks, owner’s manuals, sales brochures or specification sheets.
Lovells RVD (Road Vehicle Descriptor) for each SSM IPA (Identification Plate Approval) notes the New Lovells GVM Capacity and the Maximum Braked Towing Capacity. As a Second Stage Manufacturer, Lovells publish a new GCM Capacity for the vehicle, as we accept responsibility for compliance with the ADRs in relation to that vehicle and are issued a compliance plate approval certificate for that vehicle. As a Second Stage Manufacturer, it is Lovells responsibility to document all applicable ADR tests and compile evidence packages for critical vehicle components, handling, stability, thermal dynamics of powertrain and drivetrain, chassis and mechanical connections and thus take responsibility and liability for the GVM upgrade compliance, increased axle capacities, towing capacities and GCM revisions.
We note that Lovells increase and list new Axle Loading Capacities for each vehicle based on stringent test data and FEA evidence.
The Original Equipment maximum braked towing capacity for example on the Toyota Landcruiser LC200 is 3500kg. This doesn’t increase nor decrease when a Lovells GVM Upgrade is fitted, it remains at 3500kg.
The new vehicle GVM becomes 3800kg (LC200) as noted in Lovells SSM (Second Stage of Manufacture for GVM Upgrade)
The factor that comes into play is the ball weight of the towed apparatus. Whatever the ball weight is, must be subtracted from the vehicles GVM and GCM.
Therefore, the vehicle can still tow up to OE 3500kg. If the ball weight is 200kg, the vehicle’s maximum available GVM (with a Lovells GVM Upgrade kit fitted) will now be 3600kg for the LC200.
Whereas, when a Lovells 4,000kg BTC Upgrade is fitted, the vehicle can then tow up to 4000kg. Yet, if the ball weight remains at 200kg, the vehicle’s maximum available GVM (with a Lovells GVM Upgrade kit fitted) will still be 3600kg for the LC200).