Sounds like a plan. 400kg is a reasonable increase, not that far away from half a ton, just be mindful of the fact that as well as the GVM you will also need to ensure that you don't overload either of the axles so careful positioning pf your payload will be required. Once the airbags and compressor are installed I personally would re-wiegh the bus, not just overall weight but also front and rear axles separately, this will give you an idea as to where the weight needs to be loaded, towards the front, rear or centre. I would also check with the examiner to see if the increase is across both axles or just the rear. Wishing you all the best for this modification, John
Thanks John. Yes, I have been getting individual axle weights each time I weigh the bus. So far I'm doing ok in terms of weight distribution. The GVM is being increased up to the total of the current maximum axle loads, so they won't actually change.
Great! That should make everything a whole lot simpler and it's good to hear that you are already way ahead of me. I needn't have worried!@@AGirlADogandABus
I‘m so pleased I found you. In the market for a coaster at the moment. I’m retiring from working for the man at the end of '25 and turning my hobby into a little handmade business to take on the road. Thank for sharing so generously.
Omg. I just came here to get info on increasing my gvm on my coaster because i also want to take my studio on the road with me which is ALSO MAKING BOOKS!!!! ❤❤❤😍😍😍
@@AGirlADogandABus I'm on Instagram but I *never* update it. I plan to do so in future but for now my hobby is rather quiet but indispensable. I'd like to work towards selling my journals at markets and online to fund my travels 💖 definitely a work in progress 🥰 my Instagram is @slipperscales_witchytales
wow the only coasters I know of with that kind of GVM here in Australia are ones that have been converted to 4WD. I'd love to have that much weight allowance on mine!
@@AGirlADogandABus it was actually a pain, all the others I have seen (the exact same chassis) have a GVM of 5800 ! For some reason mine has been rated on import as 6200 (it’s not marked in the VIN plate at all). Because of it being more I had to sit another licence just to drive it… the test included knowing how to tie down loads and maximum overhang dimensions for loading a truck… as well as log books, all useless to me. The worst bit is that the bus isn’t heavy enough to actually sit the test in !
Out of interest, do you mind sharing which mechanic are you using for the airbag upgrade ? I'm also in Brisbane, doing up my Coaster and that price is quite good. Additionally, with a controller for the airbags, the bus can be levelled so you're not having to use balancing chocks when you park on slightly uneven ground. Always enjoyed your pragmatic approach to your build.
My go-to mechanic for all things coaster related is Brendon from BKO Mechanical near Woodford. He is a really great, honest bloke who specialises in coasters. Highly recommend him! He is on Facebook. I looked into getting a controller setup for the airbags but it is quite a bit more expensive (for the supply itself plus a lot of labour costs to install the necessary tank and airlines etc too) and I just can't justify the cost for me at the moment. The airbags I will be getting installed will have fittings attached so that I can easily pump them up or down like tyres, so if I want to, I can just manually adjust them to level the bus at a campsite. Not as glamorous as just pushing a button on the dash, but it's all this chickie can afford right now :)
Yes I do. I have a HR licence but actually only need an LR licence for my current GVM and changing the GVM to 5.4T still puts it in the LR category so I'm not worried about that at all.
Sounds like a plan. 400kg is a reasonable increase, not that far away from half a ton, just be mindful of the fact that as well as the GVM you will also need to ensure that you don't overload either of the axles so careful positioning pf your payload will be required. Once the airbags and compressor are installed I personally would re-wiegh the bus, not just overall weight but also front and rear axles separately, this will give you an idea as to where the weight needs to be loaded, towards the front, rear or centre. I would also check with the examiner to see if the increase is across both axles or just the rear. Wishing you all the best for this modification, John
Thanks John. Yes, I have been getting individual axle weights each time I weigh the bus. So far I'm doing ok in terms of weight distribution. The GVM is being increased up to the total of the current maximum axle loads, so they won't actually change.
Great! That should make everything a whole lot simpler and it's good to hear that you are already way ahead of me. I needn't have worried!@@AGirlADogandABus
I‘m so pleased I found you. In the market for a coaster at the moment. I’m retiring from working for the man at the end of '25 and turning my hobby into a little handmade business to take on the road. Thank for sharing so generously.
Omg. I just came here to get info on increasing my gvm on my coaster because i also want to take my studio on the road with me which is ALSO MAKING BOOKS!!!! ❤❤❤😍😍😍
❤❤❤❤❤ wow! How freaky is that! Tell me more! Do you have a website? Are you on socials? I'd love to see the books you make.
@@AGirlADogandABus I'm on Instagram but I *never* update it. I plan to do so in future but for now my hobby is rather quiet but indispensable. I'd like to work towards selling my journals at markets and online to fund my travels 💖 definitely a work in progress 🥰 my Instagram is @slipperscales_witchytales
My fave youtuber. I like how thorough you are and your communication style.
Interesting, my coaster has a GVM of 6200, it’s a HDB51 7m long, because it’s over 6000 I had to get a class 2 licence (I’m in NZ)
wow the only coasters I know of with that kind of GVM here in Australia are ones that have been converted to 4WD. I'd love to have that much weight allowance on mine!
@@AGirlADogandABus it was actually a pain, all the others I have seen (the exact same chassis) have a GVM of 5800 ! For some reason mine has been rated on import as 6200 (it’s not marked in the VIN plate at all). Because of it being more I had to sit another licence just to drive it… the test included knowing how to tie down loads and maximum overhang dimensions for loading a truck… as well as log books, all useless to me. The worst bit is that the bus isn’t heavy enough to actually sit the test in !
Good luck. I really hope it works for you.
#theslowcoaster
Another great video, Are you able to post in your next video where you got the air bag kit from. Hello from S.A
I'll do an update on the airbags after they're installed. My mechanic is ordering them directly.
Out of interest, do you mind sharing which mechanic are you using for the airbag upgrade ? I'm also in Brisbane, doing up my Coaster and that price is quite good.
Additionally, with a controller for the airbags, the bus can be levelled so you're not having to use balancing chocks when you park on slightly uneven ground.
Always enjoyed your pragmatic approach to your build.
My go-to mechanic for all things coaster related is Brendon from BKO Mechanical near Woodford. He is a really great, honest bloke who specialises in coasters. Highly recommend him! He is on Facebook. I looked into getting a controller setup for the airbags but it is quite a bit more expensive (for the supply itself plus a lot of labour costs to install the necessary tank and airlines etc too) and I just can't justify the cost for me at the moment. The airbags I will be getting installed will have fittings attached so that I can easily pump them up or down like tyres, so if I want to, I can just manually adjust them to level the bus at a campsite. Not as glamorous as just pushing a button on the dash, but it's all this chickie can afford right now :)
Thank you 😊
Air bags will give you a better ride. Go for it the price you have been quoted is very reasonable.
You have the truck license 4 the upgrade
Yes I do. I have a HR licence but actually only need an LR licence for my current GVM and changing the GVM to 5.4T still puts it in the LR category so I'm not worried about that at all.
You have the license 4 the upgrade
It is in the same license class