Citylink/Eastlink - Falcon Utes now commercial vehicles.

quickzx · 08-10-2015, 12:19 PM

Hi guys,

Got some custom plates for the ute so called Eastlink today to update my rego details and was told that it would now no longer be considered a car but a light commercial vehicle due to a new government ruling that came out that states all Utes made from 1999 onwards regardless of payload capacity are now commercial vehicles?

Is this correct, it's always been classified a car for as long as I've had it? Its an xr6 with a styleside body and a hardlid so I have **** all in the back and never tow a trailer so it doesn't weigh anymore than a car, nor would ever carry more weight then a fully loaded sedan with the family and a caravan heading down the road on a holiday.

Could mean a trip now costs 19.20 as opposed to 11.88 which adds up significantly over a week.

Where is the logic in this. Has anyone else been hit with it yet?

Cheers,

GSP07R · 08-10-2015, 12:30 PM

http://www.eastlink.com.au/class

In NSW we have CLASS A and CLASS B

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/sydney-mot...ll-charges.pdf

GASWAGON · 08-10-2015, 01:28 PM

Geesus that sucks bigtime......wot a joke!

Vesper Martini · 08-10-2015, 01:58 PM

Realistically that's what it is
I've never really understood this, do some people Buy utes because they prefer how they look?

Wretched · 08-10-2015, 02:14 PM

Ford classifies the ute as a commercial vehicle as does the VFACTS data.

quickzx · 08-10-2015, 02:34 PM

I see it more like a car with an external boot and less seats. For me I do a lot of downhill bike riding and in summer tow a JetSki so it's practical to have something that you can chuck a bunch of dirty gear in the back (bike, life jackets, sandy chairs and other crap you'd take with you on a trip) without having to dirty the inside of your car and without the need for a 5 seater.... Not everyone uses a ute for commercial work purposes. It's also handy for when you need to Lob something around....

And realistically it isn't that much heavier then most cars on the road.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Realistically that's what it is
I've never really understood this, do some people Buy utes because they prefer how they look?

Smoke Pursuit · 08-10-2015, 02:35 PM

Been this way in QLD for a long time..... My FPV Pursuit is a commercial vehicle.

Brazen · 08-10-2015, 03:05 PM

Challenge the fact they retrospectively applied the rule. Fair enough if they said it's from 2015 onwards, but not something already built.

Talk your local MP about this.

Bill M · 08-10-2015, 03:52 PM

Quote:

The Light Commercial Vehicle classification is based on the way the vehicle is built, not for what it is used. A vehicle fits the criteria of a Light Commercial Vehicle because it has a separate cab and separate chassis and a gross vehicle mass of between 1.5 and 4.5 tonnes.

Quote taken from the Eastlink website.

Separate cab and separate chassis? The Falcon from 1999 does not have a separate chassis.

Screw them, I will then avoid the links for as much as I can as it is no longer cost effective.

Dr Terry · 08-10-2015, 04:14 PM

I realise it's a silly definitive 'fine line', but from XK to XH Falcon utes were utes or more correctly 'coupe utilities', but from AU onwards the tub was separate from the cab, so they did not conform to the original 1934 Lew Bandt design/definition of a utility, they're really a 'pick-up'.

I went thru this cr@p over 35 years ago on the Newcastle freeway where my Holden HZ One-Tonner was charged $1.00 toll because it was a commercial vehicle, while 'normal' utes were only 40c. (that'll tell you how long ago it was !!).

Dr Terry

**Raptor** · 08-10-2015, 04:32 PM

That's fine by me.

Commercial vehicles are allowed a more generous tolerance (+50mm) when fitting larger wheels and tyres, increasing track width etc.

This ruling actually works in your favour if it's an RTV and you want bigger rubber

Take the wins when you can

.

**GO FURTHER** · 08-10-2015, 05:15 PM

In Victoria, Eastlink / Citylink will charge you commercial toll fees, if your vehicle is registered and classified as commercial with Vicroads.
Makes no difference if you are using it for domestic applications only.

A lot of companies buy their employees (reps) dual cab utes and 1 tonne utes rather than a sedan, as they then don't have to pay the annual Fringe Benefits Tax which can be quite high.
But now what you save in doing this is offset somewhat by the higher toll fees.

mik · 08-10-2015, 06:04 PM

Any way they can liberate a few more dollars from your bank account into theirs is how the system works !
its Legalized theft.

foxtrot3 · 08-10-2015, 07:24 PM

Hi. So does a coimmonwhore ute pay the same toll as a sedan because it doesn't have a separate cab/chassis and a datsun 1200 ute comes in under 1000kg and its a cab chassis construction. Time to bring back the criteria as "passenger car derivative". Cheers MD

Morexbs · 08-10-2015, 08:42 PM

If you have a "car" eTag you can get away with using it in a ute.They only take snaps of cars with no eTags or tags with no money on them and they have no way of knowing what car a tag is attached to without a pic.

MrZ · 09-10-2015, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Realistically that's what it is
I've never really understood this, do some people Buy utes because they prefer how they look?

Some people?! I thought most people bought utes for the way they looked.

Crazy Dazz · 09-10-2015, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickzx

For me I do a lot of downhill bike riding and in summer tow a JetSki so it's practical to have something that you can chuck a bunch of dirty gear in the back (bike, life jackets, sandy chairs and other crap you'd take with you on a trip) without having to dirty the inside of your car

So you find it handy to drive a commercial vehicle...

Crazy Dazz · 09-10-2015, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill M

Quote taken from the Eastlink website.

Separate cab and separate chassis? The Falcon from 1999 does not have a separate chassis.

Yes, the "ute" does.
Prior to the AU, Falcon Utes were simply sedans, coupes, or wagons, with a different body. In our XC, you opened a panel in the tray, and the petrol tank actually sat in what would have been the rear passenger area.
From the AU onwards, there is a separate chassis on to which is mounted either a tub, tray, or whatever custom body you like.

Bill M · 09-10-2015, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Yes, the "ute" does.
Prior to the AU, Falcon Utes were simply sedans, coupes, or wagons, with a different body. In our XC, you opened a panel in the tray, and the petrol tank actually sat in what would have been the rear passenger area.
From the AU onwards, there is a separate chassis on to which is mounted either a tub, tray, or whatever custom body you like.

A separate chassis is just that, unbolt the cab and voila bare chassis from rear to front.
On the post 1999 Ford utes it is not a separate chassis but unitary construction where the cab is an integral with the frame. The devil is in the detail.
Bill.

marty351 · 09-10-2015, 08:52 AM

Highway Robbery!

Brazen · 09-10-2015, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickzx

Could mean a trip now costs 19.20 as opposed to 11.88 which adds up significantly over a week.

As an aside, bloody hell cant believe tolls are this much.

Move out of these horrible cities, some rural areas are crying out for people who have skills developed in the city.

Living in the best country on the planet but deciding to then live in the city s such a waste. It's like flying all the way to Paris then deciding to eat at mcdonalds.

Just having a dig

mik · 09-10-2015, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brazen

As an aside, bloody hell cant believe tolls are this much.

Move out of these horrible cities, some rural areas are crying out for people who have skills developed in the city.

Living in the best country on the planet but deciding to then live in the city s such a waste. It's like flying all the way to Paris then deciding to eat at mcdonalds.

Just having a dig

Imagine the costs already on trucks and having to pay exorbitant toll fees multiple times per day, is it any wonder it costs what it does to keep a business going or just live in Australia, .
Even if it costs me more not to use a tollway, I wont use them on principle, they are to damned expensive.

vztrt · 09-10-2015, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

Imagine the costs already on trucks and having to pay exorbitant toll fees multiple times per day, is it any wonder it costs what it does to keep a business going or just live in Australia, .

Depends. A truck could use more fuel, and will have more wear and tear at peak times, not using the toll.

But Eastlink is a rip off.

Vesper Martini · 09-10-2015, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill M

A separate chassis is just that, unbolt the cab and voila bare chassis from rear to front.
On the post 1999 Ford utes it is not a separate chassis but unitary construction where the cab is an integral with the frame. The devil is in the detail.
Bill.

But the tub still bolts onto the rear, I don't think they are concerned about how th cab is mounted.
They also have leaf spring rear ends for carrying the extra weight.

To me a light commercial vehicle is a fitting description. and the majority of them are used for work purposes.

I do feel for the OP though as that's not what it was classified when he purchased it.
I'm not sure if you had the cost correct either. according to the Eastlink website
Each trip pass costs $5.94 for a car & $9.50 for a light commercial vehicle.

quickzx · 09-10-2015, 11:46 AM

I should have clarified the price I noted was for a return trip not one way which is what I do when I use the road. And on weekends/public holidays a return trip for a car is $9.50 as opposed to $19 for a commercial vehicle (cars get a 20% discount).

I'm going to give them another call and see what they say about the chassis being seperate rather than a unibody cab ect...

If all else fails I'll just avoid the toll road and save the $20, it won't cost me that in time and fuel combined.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

But the tub still bolts onto the rear, I don't think they are concerned about how th cab is mounted.
They also have leaf spring rear ends for carrying the extra weight.

To me a light commercial vehicle is a fitting description. and the majority of them are used for work purposes.

I do feel for the OP though as that's not what it was classified when he purchased it.
I'm not sure if you had the cost correct either. according to the Eastlink website
Each trip pass costs $5.94 for a car & $9.50 for a light commercial vehicle.

Bill M · 09-10-2015, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

But the tub still bolts onto the rear, I don't think they are concerned about how th cab is mounted.
They also have leaf spring rear ends for carrying the extra weight.

To me a light commercial vehicle is a fitting description. and the majority of them are used for work purposes.

I do feel for the OP though as that's not what it was classified when he purchased it.
I'm not sure if you had the cost correct either. according to the Eastlink website
Each trip pass costs $5.94 for a car & $9.50 for a light commercial vehicle.

Look at the wording used by Eastlink, "separate chassis."
That is specific and so is my observation. A unitary cab chassis is still not a separate chassis. I suspect the generalisation "the majority of them are used for work purposes." wouldn't hold much under scrutiny.

The basis for increased charges should be commercial/business registration only.
Given the spread commercially based 4x4s for private domestic use I think this entirely reasonable.

mik · 09-10-2015, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

Depends. A truck could use more fuel, and will have more wear and tear at peak times, not using the toll.

But Eastlink is a rip off.

its still a rip off , some trucks do short shuttles all day long , for a lot of them theres no way it saves 7.50 ago , imagine doing 6/ 8 /10 shuttles a day 5/6 days a week, it works out to a bloody lot of money , and the end we the consumers pay with higher prices ..... for everything..

Vesper Martini · 09-10-2015, 02:26 PM

I would try writing a formal letter, if it wasn't for you changing your plates you would probably still be on the same category.

if anything you may be able to delay things.

But it sounds like every ute driver will be getting a letter soon

vztrt · 09-10-2015, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

its still a rip off , some trucks do short shuttles all day long , for a lot of them theres no way it saves 7.50 ago , imagine doing 6/ 8 /10 shuttles a day 5/6 days a week, it works out to a bloody lot of money , and the end we the consumers pay with higher prices ..... for everything..

It is a rip, but it still is tax deductible. Its up to the operator to deem if its beneficial.

Speaking of which its apparently backed up cause of an accident. Hope people get their money back today.

Crazy Dazz · 09-10-2015, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill M

A separate chassis is just that, unbolt the cab and voila bare chassis from rear to front.
On the post 1999 Ford utes it is not a separate chassis but unitary construction where the cab is an integral with the frame. The devil is in the detail.
Bill.

No, as I explained, a separate chassis in this case means exactly what the utes have. A separate chassis on to which is bolted the tub, tray, or your choice of after-market body.
As I explained, prior to the AU, underneath a Ute was basically a station wagon. If you removed the body, the whole thing would fall in a heap. That's why there were no Falcon tray-backs.