Imported Trailers and max weights
Hi guys,
Just had a rather frustrating morning trying to register a second hand trailer and hoping someone who has been through the same rigour might have some advice.
First of all I have a Magictilt trailer for a composite 21ft boat. The trailer was an import and has had the guards brought in to bring it to within the Aus measurements.
The traielr has 4 wheel mechanical surge (overrides) disc breaks although for the ease of registration I only have the front 2 wheels connected.
My first issue came when taking it to get registered. The mechanic was adament that override breaks on only 1 axle was only rated to 1250 aggregate. Having registered many boat trailers in the past this seemed bull to me. I have always been of the impression that over ride disc breaks on the front axles is fine for up to 2 ton.
My second issue was what the maximum aggregate weight I wanted to register on the trailer. According to ADR 38/02 and VSB 15.2, both guidelines state that breakaway brakes and 4 wheel brakes are only required on trailers over 2 ton GTM. If you look at the GTM definition it is the weight of the boat whilst connected to the vehicle. So for instance if your boat weighs 2.2ton over all but you have a 250kg's on the ball weight then the GTM weight is only 1950kgs and under the 2 ton limit. Therefore it was my view that the aggregate weight on your trailer should be 2.25ton as that is the maximum rated weight the trailer can carry without breakaway brakes (2ton on the wheels and 250kg on the ball weight).
The third issue I had was they are refusing to register the trailer as a Magic tilt brand instead saying that I am now the manufacturer and it has to be under my name. I am not happy about this because really I am not the manufacturer, I am the owner and I do not want that trailer under my name as who knows 10 years down track perhaps something might break, kill someone and I am responsible as it states I am the manufacturer.
Has anyone else had any issues when registering an imported trailer or have I just found the only people who dont know the rules. If so is there mechanics anyone can reccomend to see about getting it registered?
Jd
Edit: Sorry I know it sounds petty trying to register the max aggregate possible but to be honest when you are doing a big trip 250kg's is alot of extra equipment that you dont have to try and pack into the car
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2006 Sea Hunt 23 Walkaround w/ 150hp Yamaha 2006
1989 Haines Hunter Legend w/ 225hp Pro XS Mercury 2013
2006 Savage 14ft w/ 30hp Yamaha
1990 Zodiac 12ft w/ 4hp Mercury
marble
Posts: 781
Date Joined: 03/09/09
My second issue was what the
My second issue was what the maximum aggregate weight I wanted to register on the trailer. According to ADR 38/02 and VSB 15.2, both guidelines state that breakaway brakes and 4 wheel brakes are only required on trailers over 2 ton GTM. If you look at the GTM definition it is the weight of the boat whilst connected to the vehicle. So for instance if your boat weighs 2.2ton over all but you have a 250kg's on the ball weight then the GTM weight is only 1950kgs and under the 2 ton limit. Therefore it was my view that the aggregate weight on your trailer should be 2.25ton as that is the maximum rated weight the trailer can carry without breakaway brakes (2ton on the wheels and 250kg on the ball weight).
Fail dude, just do it properly stop trying to be a tightarse , put electric overide brakes on all 4 wheels and be done with it.
PMY 25 Centre Console DF300 Suzuki
Paul_86
Posts: 1449
Date Joined: 27/03/09
Yep gotta agree with marble,
Yep gotta agree with marble, instead of trying to stretch the law to the max, why not go with the law and know that when you have to stop quickly you have a lot better chance of doing so?!
jdavies_99
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Law
The above 2 answers are contributing nothing.
I am not asking peoples opinions on what brakes I should run. I am in the fortunate position of knowing the size of the boat, knowing the weight of the boat and having actually read the ADR's. Until you know the weight of the boat it is hardly an educated answer to say "stop being a tight ass and put 4 wheel electric override brakes".
My question relates to having a boat under 2 ton (which is legal on mechanical surge brakes) and wanting to have the max aggregate at the correct load. Calling it a fail and telling me to go with "what the law says" just means you have not read the laws (or the above post properly).
If anyone is able to contribute useful information or past experience it would be appreciated.
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2006 Sea Hunt 23 Walkaround w/ 150hp Yamaha 2006
1989 Haines Hunter Legend w/ 225hp Pro XS Mercury 2013
2006 Savage 14ft w/ 30hp Yamaha
1990 Zodiac 12ft w/ 4hp Mercury
Portsea01
Posts: 9
Date Joined: 10/09/12
Hi ThereIf you want to rate
Hi There
If you want to rate your trailer at the 2000kg (Max total weight of boat and trailer together cannot exeed this) then you will require at a minimum brakes on one axle and a hydraulic overide coupling, if you want brakes on both axles that is still fine, however it will still be a 2000kg rated trailer.
Now if you have a combination boat and trailer package that goes over the 2 ton limit, you have no choice but to install electric/hydraulic brake away system with brakes on all axles.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Justin
Portsea Marine
marble
Posts: 781
Date Joined: 03/09/09
Work it out for yourself
Work it out for yourself then, put the boat and trailer over a weighbridge. Dont forget to fill it with fuel, ice, bait, beer, water,dive gear, rods sinkers, anchors,chain, ropes,etc etc etc. Pretty soon be way over 2 tonnes I reckon.
Just as a rough comparison ours went 2740kg with no fuel ,water,beer,ice,divegear,rods. add 350 litres fuel, 100 litres water, ice, beer, drinking water, dive gear etc etc soon adds up.
Your worried about being the manufactyurer in 10 years time when something goes pear shaped, what about when some muppet pulls out in front of you in the city and you t-bone them because you fudged the weights to save a bit on brakes and you write off his/her vehicle and maybe put a few of his/her passengers in hospital ?
PMY 25 Centre Console DF300 Suzuki
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
I have some good news for you
I have some good news for you - as the importer you have to assume the responsibility of manufacturer. There is no way around this.
Rob H
Posts: 5863
Date Joined: 18/01/12
Tills right on the
Tills right on the "manufacturer", its quite clear.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
jdavies_99
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 24/07/11
.
Marble - The boat has been weighbridged full of fuel, water and with some tools. The only thing not on the boat was fishing gear and a fridge (which I always transfer into a car anyway). It was weighbridged to easily under 2 ton hence why I have been asking about under 2 ton brake systems. I understand your boat may be higher weight however this is a different boat. This is a much smaller boat and a lightweight composite, not fibreglass. It is not a matter of fudgin the weight figures to save money but rather accordingly trying to get the correct aggregate rating for the trailer. My query relates to trailer ratings being ATM weights and brake requirement figures being reported in the ADR's as GTM weights.
Portsea Marine - Thankyou for the help.
Rob H and Till - Thankyou for your response. Is the "manufacturer" being the importer talked about in the ADR's or would I found out about that somewhere else? I imported around 18 months back and never had this issue which is why I am confused. When I registered my last imported trailer they registered it under the manufacturer. Have the rules changed or did my original registration be made in error?
The discs purchased were a 2 ton GTM rated brake system. I think they may be 12" coupled to 14" rims (which is 2 ton GTM rating as my understanding) but I am not 100% sure on the size. I am confident they are a 2 ton rated system as that is how they were sold.
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2006 Sea Hunt 23 Walkaround w/ 150hp Yamaha 2006
1989 Haines Hunter Legend w/ 225hp Pro XS Mercury 2013
2006 Savage 14ft w/ 30hp Yamaha
1990 Zodiac 12ft w/ 4hp Mercury
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
What lightweight composite?
What lightweight composite? Not fibre glass?
Your original importation was done incorrectly, as an importer, you assume the mantle of the manufacturer as the manufacturer is not a legal entity in Australia.
Rob H
Posts: 5863
Date Joined: 18/01/12
They wont be 12", wont take
They wont be 12", wont take a 14" rim. But 10" should still handle 2000kg.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
JohnF
Posts: 2841
Date Joined: 07/07/10
If the trailer has been
If the trailer has been modified, then I presume you will be the manufacturer, not the original manufacturer of the unmodified trailer? This seems common sense?
Boston Whaler 235 Conquest......getting the flogging it was built for.
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1330
Date Joined: 23/02/11
Vehicle Import Approval (MVSA
Vehicle Import Approval (MVSA 1989)
3 bullet points below - you would not have got a trailer in without getting this approval (they wont let them off the port without it) so the guys are right - if you intend on using or selling the trailer then for your own benefit you should ensure it is well and truly compliant -
"The approval is conditional on the trailer being modified to comply with the requirements set out in Vehichle Standards Bulletin 1"
"Trailer must not be used in Transport until it complies with Vehicle Standards Bulletin 1"
"It could be and offence under the act to sell the trailer or use it in Australia before the modifications are completed. If for any reasons modifications are not completed the trailer must be destroyed or exported"
jdavies_99
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Modified Trailer
The modification to bring it within the rules was to bring the mudguards in to reduce the width. Effectively that was the only work required. From what I could see of the rules I would deem it compliant and accordingly it has passed a pit inspection who have deemed it compliant.
I struggled with the notion that bringing the mud guards in 50mm is enough to justify that I am now the new manufacturer.
I accept that if the import rules require the importer to be the manufacturer then rules are rules, but it does seem silly to me.
If you were to bring in a Harley Davidson from the US it should be registered as a Harley Davidson make, not as manufactured by the importer. If you put on a new mudguard does that make it no longer a Harley Davidson? But as I said, Rules are Rules then I guess.
Till - The composite is called a Cooma composite. It is a fibreglass blend composite that is substantially lighter then ordinary fibreglass however just as strong. The idea is that less weight to push around is less hassle towing and better fuel economy. I haven't put it through its paces too much but it feels strong enough and is certainly weigh bridged a lot lighter then we expected.
___________________________
2006 Sea Hunt 23 Walkaround w/ 150hp Yamaha 2006
1989 Haines Hunter Legend w/ 225hp Pro XS Mercury 2013
2006 Savage 14ft w/ 30hp Yamaha
1990 Zodiac 12ft w/ 4hp Mercury
pelagicyachts
Posts: 1330
Date Joined: 23/02/11
haha - yes am guessing a
haha - yes am guessing a Harley registered as being manufactured in sunny Perth would not be worth much :-)
Likewise if the trailer arrived and required no modification at all then i would suggest that you would not "need" to be the manufacturer -
I have registered two trailers from ex Florida, both have had the manufacturers name on the rego papers (not my name) but my name will be listed as the importer and person responsible for the modifications
in simple terms the importer is liable for the modification/s to make the trailer compliant -if an accident is caused as a result of a trailer being poorly maintained then the liability falls on the owner of the trailer -
Cooma... sounds interesting - keen to hear a bit more detail
till
Posts: 9358
Date Joined: 21/02/08
Cooma? You don't mean coosa
Cooma?
You don't mean coosa => www.coosacomposites.com
Its still a fiberglass boat, its just that instead of using ply/balsa/pure fg for structural elements, they use the board instead.
There are a bunch of them.