The load increase in the gross vehicle mass (GVM) of a vehicle is certified by a TÜV parts certificate in the vehicle registration document. This entry is proof that the rear or front axle load can be increased with an Ironman4x4 suspension and that the vehicle can withstand a new gross vehicle weight of 3.5 t as a passenger car.

Content:

1. What is a load increase?

2. What is the difference between tare weight, normal weight and maximum weight?

3. Where can I find my GVM?

4. When do I need a load increase?

5. Why a load increase from Ironman4x4?

6. What happens if I exceed my GVM without a certified load increase?

7. How do I buy a load increase to 3.5 tons from Genesis Import?

8. What do I have to consider after buying a load increase?

9. What is the difference between an ABE and a load increase?

10. For which cars is there a load increase to 3.5 tons?

11. Do I need an air spring for my load increase?

12. Do I have to buy new rims for the load increase?

Summary

1. What is a load increase?

When removing a pick-up with cabs or other superimposed loads, strict attention must be paid to the permissible total weight, as excessive weight is not only illegal and results in fines, but is also dangerous in road traffic. Original vehicle suspensions are not designed to carry a large weight over a long period of time, which is why it always makes sense to replace them with a reinforced suspension.

The increase in weight to 3.5 t by Genesis Import proves that the Ironman4x4 suspensions can withstand these demanding tasks, which exceed the standard permissible total weight, as certified by TÜV. It is therefore a certificate that the maximum total load of 3.5 t for passenger cars can be properly and in accordance with the ABE for the suspension, entered in the vehicle registration document.

2. What is the difference between tare weight, normal weight and maximum weight?

The tare weight of a vehicle describes the weight of the car without any equipment - however, operating fluids and a driver of 75 kg are included. Equipment (e.g. leather seats, air conditioning, etc.) increases the unladen mass, which is referred to as the normal weight of the car. The maximum weight describes the permissible total weight including persons, roof tent or similar.

Often, due to better equipment variants, there is a large discrepancy between the stated unladen weight and the real normal weight. This difference naturally reduces the payload, and a load increase becomes unavoidable, especially for cabin owners.

3. Where can I find my maximum GVM?

While the tare weight is stated in the vehicle registration certificate in field G, the technically permissible maximum laden mass of the vehicle in kg is found under F1 and the permissible maximum laden mass in the country of registration is found under F2. The maximum axle load per vehicle axle is differentiated between front and rear axle and is stated under 7.1 and 7.2.

4. When do I need a load increase?

As soon as the weight of your car exceeds the permissible total weight, driving is illegal and can be expensive. In the worst case, the vehicle that is too heavy can even be immobilised in some EU countries. Upweighting legally increases the permissible gross vehicle mass to up to 3.5 tonnes. An upgrade is therefore certainly worthwhile if the weight of your vehicle is above the original GVM, but remains below the maximum weight of 3.5 t for passenger cars. This primarily applies to vehicles that have a cabin or similar installed, even if only for a few weeks a year.

5. Why a load increase from Ironman4x4?

As with our ABE, Ironman4x4 and Genesis Import are always happy to go the extra mile for their customers.

Our weight-lifting certificate differs significantly from other certificates:

1. With our supercharging, you don't have to make any additional structural changes. That means: put in the suspension (beginning from Performance) and simply make the change in the papers with the additional TÜV parts certificate. No air bellows, no special leaf springs and no binding to a degree of hardness of the leaf spring are necessary.

2. Due to the additional strength test, customers are still allowed to drive their original rims with the Ironman4x4 overload certificate, as these were part of the tests and passed the test. Only the tires must have a load index of at least 111, which is often the case with the standard tires. Many costs can be saved here.

3. The extra load is also valid for many EU countries outside Germany due to a special certificate (B papers).

6. What happens if I exceed my GVM without a certified load increase?

If you like to travel abroad with your pick-up camper, you have to reckon with mobile weighing stations. Here, the police have the simple option of quickly revealing the "true" weight via light axle trucks. Those who drive with an increased weight above the permissible total can expect to be fined during police checks. Especially abroad, it is annoying if, in addition to a fine, further travel is not permitted as long as the car is too heavy. So if necessary, luggage or similar must be left behind - or you can get the extra certificate and avoid this danger with new self-confidence.

7. How do I buy a load increase to 3.5 tons from Genesis Import?

In the Genesis Import online shop, the 3.5 tons upgrade is treated as a conventional product that can be added to the shopping cart and purchased. When ordering the selected certificate, you will be asked to send a copy of the vehicle registration document (registration certificate part 1) so that the certificate can be personalised and sent.

If you choose an on-site suspension installation at Genesis Import, the vehicle registration certificate is not required in advance, as all formalities can be completed on site.

8. What do I have to consider after buying a load increase?

The available Genesis Import weight increase is individually issued to your vehicle identification number and is only valid for the registration of the corresponding vehicle. 

However, the requirements for the 3.5 t transcription are of course a multi-factor system. In addition to our Ironman4x4 suspension, which meets all the basic requirements for strength and durability, other components must also be designed for the new load - namely rims and tires.

The special thing about our uplift: the original rims (Ford Ranger & Toyota Hilux), as part of the strength test, have proven this strength. The third component is easy to check. The mounted tires must be adapted to the new rear axle load and thus have at least a 111 load index. If this is not the case with the original tires, the necessary strength must be ensured by changing them.

A big advantage for your wallet: you don't have to buy expensive ballast rims right away!

9. What is the difference between an ABE and a load increase?

Whereas the ABE describes that the new parts are equivalent to original vehicle parts and have already been tested by the TÜV, the increase in weight only describes the change in the GVM in the vehicle registration certificate that has been approved by the TÜV. The certificate must nevertheless be checked and registered by an authority, but no longer tested.

10. For which cars is there an increase in weight to 3.5 tons?

At Genesis Import, there is currently a certificate for the Ford Ranger PXII, the Ford Ranger PXIII and the Toyota Hilux. In the future, it is planned to issue and sell a certificate of upgrading for other vehicles.

11. Do I need an air spring for my load icnrease?

No, Genesis Import's axle load is only increased by the Ironman4x4 suspension system. Here, the various suspension components have proven their sole suitability for increasing the axle load in strength tests and driving tests and do not need to be supplemented by further options.

This offers a great advantage off-road, as the vehicle can be turned back to normal without extra attachments and no additional attachments increase the susceptibility.

12. Do I have to buy new rims for the load increase?

In our appraisal, the vehicles have proven strength with the original wheel-tires combination. This means that the original rims (in most cases) have been tested and found to be good for the load increase. Only the load index of the tires must be taken into account. This should be at least 111 so that it is suitable for the higher axle load of the rear axle.

Summary:

The upgrading of the vehicle to 3.5 tons offers great benefits in everyday life and during travels. Many modern base vehicles, equipped with upscale features and high base weight, no longer provide sufficient reserves for loading. When a camper or other heavy equipment is added for vacations or daily work, the allowed total weight of the vehicle is quickly reached and often exceeded.

In addition to the resulting safety risk of driving with an unstable and overloaded suspension, hefty fines can be imposed on the driver both domestically and abroad if weighed during inspections.

The upgrading to a permissible total weight of 3.5 tons provides clarity and safety in this regard. This is where the strength of the Ironman 4x4 suspension systems shines! Without complicated or vulnerable additional solutions such as air springs with extra compressor systems, the axle loads can be adjusted using a conventional Ironman 4x4 suspension with an additional available upgrading certificate, which can then be entered into the registration documents.

Here, the upgrading offered by the Australian suspension specialists provides another major advantage: many upgrades are only possible in combination with the hardest available leaf and coil springs. However, Ironman 4x4 suspension systems can be used for upgrading starting from the performance variant. This means that vehicles with nominally more comfortable springs can also enjoy the 3.5-ton registration.

The variety of choices and individual customization according to one's own requirements are preserved, and we can still tailor the best setup for the customer's specific weight tasks. With the great advantage of being able to optionally purchase the upgrading certificate along with the suspension.

3.5 tons is not a problem for Ironman 4x4 suspension systems!