Carrimore to Build Vidal Extendibles
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I N The Commercial Motor of May 10 and 17 last year, preliminary plans for the introduction of Herbert Vidal Duplico extendible trailers into the U.K. were announced. When one of these German trailers was demonstrated at the ATV Elstree Studio on Monday, it was revealed that they are to be built under licence in this country by Carrirnore Six Wheelers Ltd., of North Finchley. Sales will be handled by Herbert Vidal and Co. (Gt. Britain) Ltd., 120 High Street, Edgware, Middx. Carrimore is to build the chassis as well as the extendible bodies, which enable the vehicle to be opened up to twice its normal travelling width for use as a showroom, library, workshop or clinic. Prominent caterers also are showing interest in the design, with an eye to possible use at the roadside or at sports meetings and other public occa sions. ATV is interested in its possible application as an outside broadcast unit.
The model demonstrated this week was a single-axle semitrailer weighing 7 tons and likely to cost about 15,000 as a basic structure, plus about £1.000 for the finish, including interior panelling, painting and so forth. The demonstration trailer had a mains-operated 14 h.p. electric motor to drive the four transversely-mounted threaded bars which open out or retract the two telescopic side sections of the body. These run on rollers and can be hand-cranked instead of powered; like the rest of the body, these extendible sections are constructed in welded steel. A third method of operation is hydraulic, driven by a power take-off on the tractive unit.
The semi-trailer shown was 30 ft. 21 in, long, a ft. 24 in, wide and interior height was 7 ft. 61 in. Maximum width extended was 14 ft. 31 in., giving a total floor area of 350 sq. ft. As well as semi-trailers several sizes, twoor three-axle drawbar trailer versions are also listed in the Duplico range and similar bodies on rigid vehicles are made by Vidal in Germany.