Big changes to NHVR rules

NHVR has announced a GCM increase for combinations with twin-steer prime movers and tri-axle trailers from July 1 this year.

The increase means the current GCM of 42.5 tonnes for an 8x4 prime mover with a tri-axle trailer will rise by four tonnes to 46.5 tonne for the combination. This news has been welcomed across the board as the additional four tonne increase gives fleets with 8x4 prime movers greater utilisation of equipment.

Furthermore, this change could significantly alter the way operators specify future vehicles, as this combination is a very attractive proposition in more ways than one.

Tasmanian based transport operator, Les Walkden, has been using twin-steer prime movers with tri axle trailer combinations in his fleet for some years and says the payload of this combination is comparable to a B-Double with a light-weight trailer.

"The savings in registration of an 8x4 prime mover and tri axle trailer compared to a B-Double make this a very economical rig,” Les said. “In addition, it is easier to get drivers for this combination as it can be driven with only a HC (semi) licence, finding B-Double licence drivers is getting harder and harder.

“The steer tyre wear is phenomenal on these 8x4s if you take the time to set them up properly,” Les added. “We’ve got units here that consistently get over 200,000km out of a set of steer tyres.”

Studies and trials have demonstrated how the twin steer prime mover is inherently more stable, especially in B-double applications which is why they are fast becoming the preferred choice with logging contractors working in steep and twisty terrain.

Scottsdale based Manuel Hall from Triple-H Contracting is another operator to embrace the twin-steer application early on, with a quad dog trailer. He too cites payload load gains equivalent to a traditional B-Double with better manoeuvrability and improved vehicle safety.

There are also new rules pertaining to tag trailers which will bring them in line with rules that apply to dog and pig trailers, which means that tag trailers will now have to operate with a towed mass ratio of 1:1 the same as dog and pig trailers.

July 1, is also the day truck registration changes come into effect. The NHVR says that this coincides with the introduction of a new national heavy vehicle plate along with nationally consistent plate fees across all states and territories participating with the NHVR. However, this change will allow fleets the ability to set common registration expiry dates throughout their fleet.

It also marks the end of truck registration labels as more state and territory end the era of issuing rego-labels.

Finally, and not surprisingly, on July 1 penalties and the NHVR fees for access rise in line with the CPI.