Detroit 'world view
Page 10
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AT WHAT the Americans described as "The First World Truck Symposium and Exposition" — it would fit comfortably into one quarter of one NEC hall — there was a handful of exhibits to interest foreign visitors, IAIN SHERRIFF reports from Detroit.
Among the more interesting vehicles at the Detroit Show was Fruehauf's FEV 2000 van, an experimental artic outfit designed, says the company, to meet the fuel efficiency demands of operators.
The unit is streamlined and gap sealed between the unit and the body and uses aluminium where possible.
The FEV 2000 van body has a capacity of 4,250cuft, and the kerb weight is 11 tons.
Eaton showed two "new generation" transmissions. The RT 11615 is designed for engines up to 370bhp; the heavier model is for 450bhp engines. The 15speed transmissions are 10speed Fuller Roadrangers.
The Americans' new-found enthusiasm for fuel economy has brought a wave of innovations. One company, Budd of Troy, Michigan, demonstrated a composite "weight saver" 30cvvt van, built in part plastic, part aluminium, reducing the body weight by 170Ib, the seats by 251b, the front-end cowling by 701b and the doors by 781b.
A lightweight chassis cab designed for swop-body application, and marketed by Semi Systems Inc of Alma, is claimed to be capable of accommodating eight different body configurations, saving 83 per cent in fuel efficiency. This company iE looking for European agents.
Another lightweight applica. tion is the Reese pickup and to device — a sliding frame witt folding legs with a craw mounted on the frame. A pickur with an 8ft bed can be reversec under the legs and the unit lifted on board to convert it to towing vehicle. The weight o the unit is approximately 8cwt.
EZ Ride Air Suspension of Gal nesville, Georgia, claims that it CLS9500-8500 heavy-duty sus pension is the easiest system ti install and has a trouble free lifE It gives a 16in lift.
A 10-ton axle is standard on a systems, but there are options.