ATM Upgrades

Caravan Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) Increase

Does your Towing Apparatus have little or no payload and require an upgrade to stay within your legal limits?

CARAVAN ATM UPGRADES

 

There are many reasons why you will need to upgrade your Caravan ATM Upgrade. There are also different weight definitions that you will need to be aware of;

  • Gross Trailer Mass (GTM) - this is the maximum weight that can be enforced on the towing apparatus's wheels and tyres when fully laden
  • Ball Mass (BM) - this is the downward force from the a-frame of the caravan which when connected is applied to the vehicles tow bar
  • Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM) - this is the combined mass of the GTM and BM. Therefore this is the total maximum legal weight when fully loaded
  • Tare Mass (TM) - this is the weight of the caravan as it leaves the production line - but fully unloaded. This means no fluids, no gas, no bolt-on aftermarket accessories.
  • Payload - this is the total difference between the ATM and TM. This includes any accessories that were fitted after the factory build for example air conditioning, solar panels, toolboxes and jerry cans. This also includes personal equipment such as clothing, food, televisions etc.

 

Just a few of the reasons to upgrade the Carvan ATM are;

  • The caravan has had so many gadgets and modifications over time that it is over loaded before adding personal belongings and fluids. An example would be the addition of a generator.
  • The caravan has always had a small payload. This is most common with 3500kg caravans. Caravan manufacturers know they will sell more caravans at 3500kg as the majority of vehicles can legally tow this. Unfortunately these days everyone wants more features and a bigger caravan. The end result is a heavier TM and a smaller Payload.
  • The tow vehicle brake capacity has been upgraded and it just makes sense to have the Caravan ATM inline with the vehicles increased braked towing capacity
  • The peace of mind knowing that all is legally above board incase you are stopped for a weigh-in by the transport department - or worse involved in an accident and void your insurance

CARAVAN ATM UPGRADE FOR OWNERS OF QUEENSLAND REGISTERED CARAVANS AND TRAILERS - GENERAL

THE PROCEDURE & CONDITIONS TO UPGRADE AGGREGATE TRAILER MASS (ATM) ON YOUR TRAILER OR CARAVAN

Generally speaking if you have a tow apparatus that is rated to 2000kg, 2500kg, 3000kg or 3500kg ATM your option for ATM upgrade is around 10%. If your tow apparatus is rated to anything between the above figures (i.e. 2200kg, 2800kg, 3300kg) then you are likely eligible for a higher capacity payload upgrade. This is because you should have axles that are over-rated for the current specified ATM.

To confirm what your ATM can be upgraded to BAM Garage can do most of the hard work if you provide the below criteria:

  • Image of a-frame zoomed out showing whole draw bar, hitch and safety chains
  • Image close up of hitch
  • Image of all and any plates fitted to apparatus
  • Image of tyres showing age of tyres (if unsure you can Google how to find this)
  • Image of tyre size and load index
  • Image of suspension zoomed
  • Image of any identifying rating on suspension components
  • Image front of tow apparatus
  • Image side of tow apparatus
  • Image rear of tow apparatus
  • Image of registration papers
  • If known, provide any information that will assist i.e. brand of axles, size of brakes, etc

From here we can engage a Queensland state mechanical engineer to certify the new Aggregate Trailer Mass for the towing apparatus.

 

 

REQUIREMENTS TO PLACE AN ORDER

  • $5,00.00 deposit
  • End user name
  • End user address

CARAVAN ATM UPGRADE FOR LANDCRUISER 200 SERIES WITH 4000KG BRAKED TOWING CAPACITY UPGRADE

THE PROCEDURE & CONDITIONS TO INCREASE THE ATM FROM 3500KG TO 4 TONNE

Toyota Landcruiser 200 series owners have you upgraded your Braked Towing Capacity but not yet the caravan?

When carrying out the ATM increase from 3500kg to 4 tonne the suggested distribution of weights for the Landcruiser 200 series that has had a Stage 2 BTC upgrade is a GTM of 3595kg, a BM of 400kg - making the ATM 3995kg. For the Landcruiser 200 series that has had a Stage 1 BTC upgrade the suggested figures are a GTM of 3645kg, a BM of 350kg - making the ATM 3995kg. To do this you will need the below;

BAM Garage can do most of the dirty work for you

  1. Seek confirmation in writing from the caravan manufacturer that the chassis can withstand the proposed 4 tonne
    1. If this is not possible your ATM upgrade is still perfectly eligible, Refer higher up this page back to "CARAVAN ATM UPGRADE FOR OWNERS OF QUEENSLAND REGISTERED CARAVANS AND TRAILERS - GENERAL"
  2. The springs combined are rated to a minimum of 4 tonne capacity
  3. The axles (if running axles) are rated to a minimum of 4 tonne capacity
  4. The tyre load index combined is rated to a minimum of 4 tonne capacity
    1. If you have non-load sharing suspension i.e. independant suspension / coil springs the tyres will have to be 20% over-rated
  5. The rim load capacity combined is rated to a minimum of 4 tonne capacity
    1. If you have non-load sharing suspension i.e. independant suspension / coil springs the wheels will have to be 20% over-rated
  6. The safety chains are upgraded to a hammer lock style chain coupling, with hammer lock couplines welded to the caravan chassis. The industry standard product used is rated from 3.5 tonne – 7.2 tonne
  7. Any changes from the above listed components will need a supplier invoice to be provided stating the product code & description of capacity. This will also require physical confirmation with the towing apparatus at our workshop

From here we can engage a state mechanical engineer to certify the towing apparatus.

REQUIREMENTS TO PLACE AN ORDER

 

  • The above mentioned conditions are either met, or are atleast possible to be met
  • $5,00.00 deposit
  • Copy of registration certificate - both sides
  • Image of the towing apparatus with registration plate visible
  • Image of the vehicle compliance plate
  • End user name
  • End user address

CARAVAN ATM UPGRADE FOR PRADO 150 SERIES WITH 3100KG BRAKED TOWING CAPACITY UPGRADE

THE PROCEDURE & CONDITIONS TO INCREASE THE ATM FROM 2500KG TO 3.1 TONNE

Toyota Prado 150 series owners have you upgraded your Braked Towing Capacity but not yet the caravan?

When carrying out the ATM increase from 2500kg to 3.1 tonne the suggested distribution of weights for the Prado 150 series that has had a Stage 2 BTC upgrade is a GTM of 2825kg, a BM of 270kg - making the ATM 3095kg. For the Prado 150 series that has had a Stage 1 BTC upgrade the suggested figures are a GTM of 2845kg, a BM of 250kg - making the ATM 3095kg. To do this you will need the below;

  1. Seek confirmation in writing from the caravan manufacturer that the chassis can withstand the proposed 3.1 tonne
    1. If this is not possible your ATM upgrade is still perfectly eligible, Refer higher up this page back to "CARAVAN ATM UPGRADE FOR OWNERS OF QUEENSLAND REGISTERED CARAVANS AND TRAILERS - GENERAL"
  2. The springs combined are rated to a minimum of 3.1 tonne capacity
  3. The axles (if running axles) are rated to a minimum of 3.1 tonne capacity
  4. The tyre load index combined is rated to a minimum of 3.1 tonne capacity
    1. If you have non-load sharing suspension i.e. independant suspension / coil springs the tyres will have to be 20% over-rated
  5. The rim load capacity combined is rated to a minimum of 3.1 tonne capacity
    1. If you have non-load sharing suspension i.e. independant suspension / coil springs the wheels will have to be 20% over-rated
  6. The safety chains are upgraded to 3.5 tonne chain setup
  7. Any changes from the above listed components will need a supplier invoice to be provided stating the product code & description of capacity. This will also require physical confirmation with the towing apparatus at our workshop

From here we can engage a state mechanical engineer to certify the towing apparatus.

REQUIREMENTS TO PLACE AN ORDER

 

  • The above mentioned conditions are either met, or are atleast possible to be met
  • $5,00.00 deposit
  • Copy of registration certificate - both sides
  • Image of the towing apparatus with registration plate visible
  • Image of the vehicle compliance plate
  • End user name
  • End user address