Armoured vehicles are designed to protect individuals and assets from harm in hostile environments. However, the weight of armouring material can easily add up, making the vehicle heavier and slower, while putting significant stress on the suspension and powertrain systems. It’s essential to build armoured vehicles that do not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and here’s why.
GVWR is the maximum weight a vehicle can safely carry, including passengers, cargo, and fuel. Exceeding the GVWR can cause several problems, such as:
- Safety hazards: Overloading the vehicle can affect its handling, braking, and stability, leading to accidents or rollovers. The added weight can also put excessive stress on the tires, causing them to overheat and fail.
- Legal issues: Operating an overloaded vehicle can result in fines, penalties, or even impoundment. The vehicle can also be deemed unsafe, leading to regulatory issues or lawsuits.
- Maintenance problems: The added weight can put a strain on the vehicle’s suspension, brakes, and powertrain, leading to premature wear and tear. This can increase the maintenance costs and reduce the vehicle’s lifespan.
In the case of armoured vehicles, exceeding the GVWR can cause even more significant problems. The added weight of the armouring material can affect the vehicle’s speed, acceleration, and agility, reducing its tactical effectiveness. Moreover, it can affect the payload capacity, limiting the amount of gear, ammunition, and personnel that can be transported.
To avoid these issues, armoured vehicle manufacturers must design and build vehicles that balance protection and mobility while staying within the GVWR limit. This requires using lightweight armouring materials such as ballistic steel, aluminium, and composites, as well as optimizing the vehicle’s structural design to reduce weight.
In addition to the weight issue, armoured vehicle manufacturers must also consider other factors such as:
- Ballistic protection level: The vehicle must provide the required level of protection against various ballistic threats, including bullets, shrapnel, and explosives.
- Mobility and agility: The vehicle must have sufficient power, suspension, and drivetrain to operate in rough terrain and urban environments.
- Crew comfort and safety: The vehicle must provide a safe and comfortable environment for the crew, including adequate ventilation, lighting, and communication systems.
- Cost-effectiveness: The vehicle must be affordable to acquire, maintain, and operate, without compromising its effectiveness or durability.
At Armoured Mobility we ensure that our armoured vehicles do not exceed the GVWR to ensure our cars are safe, legal, and high performing.
If you are searching for an Armoured vehicle in Pretoria be sure to contact us at Armoured Mobility today so we can help you get the best armoured vehicle for your safety requirements.
