Remember: many vehicles and trailers already have the maximum allowed rear overhang, even without overhanging a load. Check the overall dimensions allowed. Do not carry a load that protrudes from behind if you exceed these dimensions. You must not exceed the legal limits for the total length, height, width and rear overhang of your vehicle or trailer. The rear overhang of a vehicle is the distance between the rear of the vehicle and its rear overhang line. Note: This section applies to light-duty vehicles up to 4.5 t. For information on loading heavy vehicles, please consult the National Heavy-Duty Vehicle Regulator. When calculating these overall dimensions, include the load of the vehicle, but not mirrors, lights or reflectors. Remember: if your vehicle or trailer is built to the maximum dimensions, you will not be able to carry a pending load. If your protruding load is not easily visible to someone following the vehicle, you must have the following safety features: When measuring the distance at which a load protrudes from the side of a vehicle or trailer, you are measuring from the edge of the vehicle or trailer body – not from the mirrors. lights or reflectors.
Rear overhang for rigid trucks – less than 3.7 m or 60 % of the wheelbase For vehicles with retractable axles, the rear overhang requirements shall be met in the retracted and non-retracted position. Overall dimensions = dimensions of the vehicle or trailer + dimensions of the projecting load A load shall not exceed more than 150 mm beyond one side of a vehicle or trailer. The photographed cargo reportedly cost the driver a $256 fine. Suddenly, this short trip was not such a good idea! Rear overhang for semi-trailers and dog trailers – less than 3.7 m or 60% of dimension “S” The dimension “S” is the distance between the front point of articulation of the trailer and its rear overhang line. The images in this section are just examples. As mentioned earlier, vehicles have different axle and tire configurations that determine the position of the rear overhang line. The images below show where you should measure your rear overhang based on different axle groups and the number of tires. These are just examples, and other variations may apply. Highly visible loads extending up to 1.2 m from the rear of your vehicle or trailer do not require a warning device. Some notices and approvals exempt a vehicle from the length requirement for the rear overhang in the MDL.
If you are working under any of the following notes, additional rear overhang tolerances may be available. A load extending beyond the outer edge of a vehicle is considered a “projecting load”. This section describes dimensional limits for different types of vehicles and explains how to keep your load suspended safe for you and other drivers. The following diagrams illustrate the overall size limits allowed for different vehicles. A load shall not exceed more than 1.2 m in front of the headlights of a vehicle. Renting a vehicle specially designed to carry loads or paying for a professional delivery can be much cheaper than the consequences of an accident, injury, vehicle repair or damage to cargo. Rear overhang of a pig trailer – The rear overhang of a pig trailer must not exceed the length of the wing in front of the rear overhang line and 3.7 m. For more information, see the Project Loads brochure on the TMR website. Content courtesy of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Rear-projection up to 1.2 m does not require a warning device.
Notices can be viewed and downloaded from the NRVR national announcements page. When deciding whether or not to carry a load, ask yourself the following questions: Global dimensional limits are set to help you safely clear airlifts, power lines and other roadside objects such as signs. They also ensure that you can turn safely while staying in 1 lane. If your projection load is not easy to see for others, it must be indicated by a warning device, regardless of the distance at which it exceeds. Group of rear axles with twin tyres on each axle (The following images are from the Australian Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development`s Vehicle Standards Bulletin and are used with permission.) For trailers equipped with mudguards, measure from the outer edge of the wing.
