Here's a story and tip that may save OBers a few bucks and hassle when buying steel from Fielders in SA. It may also be an issue at Bluescope.
I ordered a 6m length of gutter from Fielders and went in to pick it up on my roof bars, as I have done in the past. I put a 5m metal sailing boat mast inside the gutter to make sure it doesn't flex when it is strapped to the bars. This time, however, the chap at customer service refused to load the gutter…or let me load it, saying that it was too long for my car. He pointed me towards a sheet provided by the parent company, Bluescope. Among other things, the sheet showed a maximum projection of 1.2m forward of the forward support bar. He suggested that I go to the nearby Bunnings, hire a ute with rack (including a forward bar at the front of the vehicle) for $30, or get the gutter delivered.
I declined to follow his suggestions. Instead, I went home and researched the light vehicle loading regulations in SA. I made a call to DPTI to confirm what I found on the net. The 1.2m overhang allowed at the front is measured from the front of the vehicle, not the front support bar. I can carry 6.4 m lengths on my roof bars….with suitable flagging, of course.
I rang the supervisor and sent her a copy of the regulations https://www.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/8747/MR143… She can see that an error has been made in interpreting the legislation. After all that, I went in today and picked up the gutter - on my roof bars.
Thought this might help somebody else. Bring on the next crusade!
regulations, schmegulations.
good on ya.
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