Anticipating the Release of Renewed Modification Guidelines: Multispares
When you drive a truck for a living, your vehicle is not just your office. It’s also your home. You probably spend more time in that seat and cabin than you do anywhere else. So it’s only natural that you’d want to modify it to fit your needs or those of your employees if you operate a fleet.
There are lots of reasons why you may wish to modify your vehicle. You might want it to be safer, better equipped to carry out its purpose – maybe you simply want to brand it, so that it shows more of your company image.
Many truck modifications are for purely functional purposes. Adjusting the lift makes loading easier. Modifying the fuel system can save running costs while tweaking the wheels or chassis might help traction.
If you change the engine, brakes, suspension, steering, or transmission, it might make things easier for you as a driver, but it might also compromise safety standards. That’s why the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) developed Vehicle Standards Bulletin 6 (VSB6). It’s a comprehensive list of guidelines to how you can (and can’t) modify your truck.
VSB6 is a national system accepted all over the country, and it must be applied before any vehicular adjustment is recommended. Mechanics, garages, and fleet owners are expected to abide by the rules of VSB6. To implement these rules, an Approved Vehicle Examiner (AVE) must inspect any changes to your vehicle, ensuring that they are compliant.
Truck modification can be an expensive affair, so it’s a good idea to check the VSB6 before you buy any parts for your truck. You might buy and install them, then be forced to incur the additional cost of having your modifications removed.
The principle behind VSB6 is to maintain safety standards, so before your mechanic talks you into new modification – double-check the regulations. It’s not just about following the law. Certain kinds of heavy vehicle modifications can lead to serious accidents.
VSB6 was introduced in the early 1990s, and it’s currently in its third edit. Version 3 will be ratified on 1st September 2017, so you still have some time to make sure you’re in compliance. If you’re planning on any upgrades, check the published guidelines to be sure you’re in compliance.
If you’ve already had some work done, look into that as well, and see if there’s anything you need to undo. It will cost you, but retaining unregulated vehicle changes will do more damage in the long run. Not only do you run the risk of fines, but you might also place your safety under duress.
In the case that you need to make any changes, save yourself time and money with our affordable American, European and Japanese truck parts. Call us today on 13 16 15, and we’ll be sure to sort you out.