Truck Modifications & VASS Engineering in Victoria
Commercial Vehicle Compliance (CVC) provides engineering assessment and VASS certification for light and heavy commercial vehicle modifications from our Hallam base. We work with body builders, manufacturers, dealers, fleets and vehicle modifiers before, during and after fabrication to identify the applicable approval pathway and the engineering evidence required.
Common truck modifications we assess include body installations and body-type changes, chassis and wheelbase alterations, cranes, tippers, hooklifts, tow couplings and fifth wheels, GVM and axle-load issues, seating changes, FUP/ROPS installations and other commercial-vehicle modifications.
Common Truck Modifications
- Body installation and change of body descriptions
- Wheelbase modifications
- Lazy axle modifications
- FURP & ROPS installations
- Motorhome and Campervan conversions
- Wheelchair transport vehicles and taxis
- 5th wheel turntable installations
- Installations of ADR approved towbars
- Cranes, Skip Loaders & Hooklifts
- Tailgate loaders and wheelchair lifts
- Seating modifications
- 25 year Bus Frame inspections
Quick Links
- Need to book an inspection click on the image on the side
- Want a free call back click on the link on the side
- To order a Truck Axle Load Calculation report see below
- Need an urgent Vass Certificate complete the Vass booking request form below.
Accreditation Partners
Nearly all heavy trucks start out life as Cab chassis vehicles. From here they are then design and fitted with the body application suitable to the intended use. Most Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEM’s) provide what is called body builders guidelines. It is these guidelines that provide the instructions for the bodybuilders and modifiers. These instructions will provide guidance on how to fit bodies, how to carry out wheelbase and other chassis modifications and minimum requirements for new holes drilled into the chassis frame, among others. It is these guidelines that precedence and should be sourced for recommendations of how to carry out modifications to the vehicle.
If this information is no longer available or applicable the National Code of Practice – VSB6 can provide assistance. However it does not include recommendations for truck body design. Truck that undergo modification to the body type and size, wheelbase and rear overhang modifications, installation of some components can all have effect of the body mounting system.
It is recommended that consideration be given when fitting bodies around the access to, inspection of and other maintainability of chassis components and equipment such as engines, transmission, spare tyre carriers, battery trays and fuel fillers to name a few.
One thing that is common among all OEM body builders guidelines is the need for a tapered subframe. The chassis frame around the start of the body is often exposed to high stress due to the change of structure stiffness.To reduce this high load the subframe must be tapered. VSB6 provides the below example. However OEM guidelines may differ and it’s strongly recommended that the bodybuilder obtain the specific manufacturer’s guidelines
Example of Tapered Subframes for VSB6
Example of Tapered Subframe from Isuzu N-series Bodybuilders Guide
Engineering Calculations, CAD & FEA
Commercial Vehicle Compliance supports body builders and manufacturers with engineering calculations, CAD review and structural assessment. Where required, our engineering team can use finite element analysis (FEA) and other calculation methods to assess loads, stresses and structural behaviour for commercial-vehicle components and modifications. CVC also maintains a range of OEM body builder guidelines and can assist body builders in applying the relevant requirements to a project.
Sometimes bodies and towbars are fitted as part of the OEM compliance and are not classed as a modification prior to being registered. To establish if the particular body or towbar was part of the manufactures original compliance click here to read Vehicle Standard Guide – VSG7.
Need your VASS approval certificate with fast turnaround, send us the completed VASS booking request form here. Or to discuss how we can help contact us now.
