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NEW PARCELCAR
FROM time to time Karryall three-wheeled vans have been exhibited at various shows and have made an impression upon many who are interested n the problem of the distribution of small pay-loads. Phis interest has been heightened by the recent mnouncement of the manufacturer, the Raleigh cycle Co. Ltd., Nottingham, reducing the price to 75 guineas. Phis machine carries a load up fo 5 cwt.
Various improvements have been embodied in the design since it was taken over by the Raleigh concern. We recently took charge of one of the latest machines for a day's trial under the conditions attaching to our usual series of road tests, the principles of which are that the vehicle must be fully laden, in standard trim, and that it shall perform under conditions similar to those which it will be called upon to face in everyday service.
Before describing the performance of the machine a brief outline of its specification is interesting. Generally speaking, the .motive portion consists of a Raleigh motorcycle, minus the back wheel, in place of which is substituted a chain-driven axle with differential. The 598 c.c. side-valve air-cooled engine drives, by chain, a three-speed-and-reverse gearbox, and thence by duplex roller chain to the live axle which, of course, carries two wheels. These support the load, leaving the front wheel only the task of steering. All three wheels are braked.
In the case of a tradesman with a small delivery round, standing charges are really of more moment than running costs, and it is a distinctive feature of the threewheeler that its standing charges are particularly low under existing legislation.
On the Raleigh the annual tax is 14, whereas fourwheeled vans of the same pay-load capacity are licensed at 110 per year. Being classed as a motorcycle, the driver can be of 16 years of age instead of 17 years, as is required for a four-wheeled vehicle. Garage accommodation costs slightly less on account of the reduced overall dimensions, whilst insurance can be obtained (full cover) for ET 10s. per annum, or 13 4s. for third-party cover alone. The small amount of
interest on capital also effects an economy.
As regards running costs, we found the fuel consumption to work out at 52.6 m.p.g. under delivery-round condition s. This figure is about 10 m.p.g. better than the average for a four-wheeled van of 5 cwt. pay-load. The maker claims 1,500 m.p.g. as the rate of oil consumption ; the system is an entirely automatic dry-sump one, requiring no attention or setting. There are only three tyres to wear and the drive is taken to two of them.
In the case of a sidecar outfit the single driving tyre wears very rapidly, owing to its arduous duties; therefore it seems probable that the Karryall will have a better tyre life owing to the weight distribution.
As regards maintenance, everything is accessible and the cylinder head can be detached in a few moments, thus making decarbonization a loose inside, merely lying on top of bags of ballast.
Road holding is good and the driver is protected at the front and has easy egress to each side. The toolbox and battery box are readily accessible in the cab and the body space-49 cubic ft.—is an unusually large one for a 5-cwt. van. The internal dimensions are 3 ft. 8i ins. long, 3 ft. 7i ins. high, 3 ft. 11 ins. wide.
The body is covered in red or green Rexine and has a smart appearance. As regards the area available for sign writing, each side offers 4 ft. 11 ins. by 3 ft: 9i ins., whilst the back measures 3 ft. 11 ins. by 3 ft. 10 ins. and the roof 3 ft. 11 ins. by 7 ft. 2 ins.
In order to remove the exhaust note from the vicinity of the driver, the pipe is to be lengthened. This information forestalled our only adverse criticism. The points which might make an individual sceptical were tackled singly and collectively and a satisfactory performance on each score settled our doubts.
B34 Stability was thoroughly proved, over-heating— although we gave many opportunities for it to arise— did not occur, ease of steering was comparable with that of a good sidecar outfit, whilst braking and acceleration were up to modern standards. Fuel economy was definitely a marked feature and at £78 15s. an agent for Raleigh products has a really promising proposition to put before his customers engaged in various trades.
The generous equipment of this machine is worthy of separate comment. For the driver's comfort
there is a really large pan-seat saddle and the springs are given a -useful range of action, thus allowing the required movement when a 'cross gully is struck at speed. Lighting is by a Miller 6-volt set with a separate dynamo.
Forward protection against the weather is afforded by a glass windscreen fixed to the roof of the cab ; connected to this, by means of a rubber flap, is the metal dash plate borne by the frame. As an electric screen wiper is provided as standard equipment the driver has every opportunity to keep dry, there being no need to peer around the screen in rainy weather.