Duel cab 4x4 ute notice??

[duey]

Anybody heard anything about a NSW State Govt 'Fleet Directive' (dated June 21. 2012) warning of possible failure in front axle if vehicle is loaded with more then two adults, bullbar & winch??

Solution is until they receive more info from Toyota bullbar must be removed or winch or driven with less then 2 passengers (if bar & winch still fitted).

NSW Govt, I'm told, has almost 600 duel cab utes! Imagine how many the mining companies own.

N.B. This is all second hand info. I'm certainly not stating there is any truth in this info but would like to hear if anybody has heard anything

Thanks

[Hiro]

From the NSW Gov't website:

June 2012 - Pickup/Cab Chassis 4x4 Vehicles Fitted With Bull Bar and Winch

Information has come to hand that 4x4 pickup/cab chassisvehicles may exceed the manufacturers limit for front axle weights when fitted with a steel or alloy bull bar and winch.

Generally vehicles fitted with a bull bar and winch can carry up to 2 people and a small amount of gear before the front axle load limit is exceeded. Investigations with vehicle manufacturers are progressing, however at this stage it appears that all manufacturers are affected by this issue to some degree. The removal of the winch may allow for the addition of a third person in the cabin for dual cabs.

Most manufacturers do not recommend a bull bar for their vehicles and most do not supply a manufacturer approved bull bar. ANCAP ratings are also compromised by the fitment of a bull bar.

All Fleet Managers should critically examine the operational and safety need for a bull bar on any vehicle.

On 4x4 pickup/cab chassisvehicles, Fleet Managers should also determine if there is a need for a winch and where possible have it removed. The winch, if supplied by StateFleet, must be returned with the vehicle when it is due for disposal at lease end.

As such StateFleet has decided not to offer a bull bar and/or winch on any 4x4 pickup/cab chassis unless the Department or Agency has work statements in place for the whole Department or Agency that deals with this issue. If StateFleet has copies of those statements for the Department or Agency, then a bull bar and/or winch package can be specified in the Special Instructions of the vehicle order and will be supplied. The use of the vehicle with the winch/bull bar package will then be the responsibility of the Department or Agency staff.

Please note that the bull bar and or winch will no longer be available on the 4x2 pickup/cab chassis vehicles.

The only effective approved suspension upgrade package on the market is for the Toyota Hilux. It is provided by Lovells and this fitment provides an approved compliance plate upgrade to 1500kg for front axle. StateFleet will be offering this as accessory on all 4x4 pickup/cab chassisToyota Hilux vehicles.

Any new vehicles that have been ordered with a bull bar and winch can be amended to remove the winch if there is a likelihood of more than 2 staff members travelling in the vehicle. Again the Department must have a work statement in place.

If the vehicle is already at the dealership and fitted with the bull bar and winch, Fleet Managers should contact StateFleet purchasing to see if arrangements can be made for the Purchase Order to be amended.

Note this is not a Toyota-specific thing, is not a recall, nor is it industry-wide, nor an issue with factory-supplied or fitted accesories. It is simply an internal directive to government fleets about not potentially overloading a vehicle by adding further accessories than recommended by the manufacturer.

[Manxman]

Fair and reasonable warning. BTW anyone in the West able to provide the upgrade?