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Q I have heard that electrically operated brakes have been fitted
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to semi-trailers. Could you confirm this and if so give details of the system?
A Some seven or eight years ago the ^ Westinghouse company produced an
electrically controlled valve that was applied experimentally to an air-pressure braking system. The valve was controlled by a solenoid wired to a pad on the brake pedal and was opened by pressure on the pedal to actuate the brakes, the valve being located between the reservoir on the trailer and the actuators. The purpose of the system was to operate the trailer brakes ahead of the brakes of the tractive unit (as an alternative to delaying application of the tractive unit actuators) by reducing the delay period.
The system operated satisfactorily but according to Westinghouse, never "took on" because it would have created tractive-unit/ trailer interchangeability difficulties.
After being abroad for a number of years I have lost touch with the regulations governing the purchase and use of small vans. Can you please give me your opinion on the following?
Can I use the van for pleasure as well as business? Is the vehicle subject to a speed limit outside a built-up area? Am I allowed to carry passengers with me when on pleasure or business? Do 1 need a carrier's licence? Could I have fixed seats in the body of the van or put in side windows? Are there any other regulations which I should observe?
A A small van can be used for business ^ and pleasure, but if it weighs over 12cwt unladen it must be taxed at the goods vehicle rate. If the unladen weight is less than 12cwt, then the £25 private car rate of duty is payable.
The vehicle is restricted to 40 mph on all except motorways, where the limit is 70 mph.
Passengers may be carried at any time.
Goods vehicles not exceeding 30cwt unladen are exempt from all forms of carriers' licensing, so you may carry your own goods or goods for anybody else for hire or reward.
Fixed seats can be fitted in the van, but if side windows are fitted you become liable to pay purchase tax. The vehicle licensing form contains a question about whether side windows are fitted. Other regulations with which you will be concerned are those relating to maximum permitted driving hours, which apply to all goods-licensed vehicles, although drivers' records of hours worked do not have to be kept for vehicles in this class.
• have just bought a 1959 ERF 54G tractive unit with air/hydraulic brakes and two lines to the trailer; it has no hand reaction valve. Would you tell me if I must have a hand reaction valve fitted, and also what weight would it be plated at on 9.0O-20 tyres?
A According to the Standard Lists the 1959
ERF 54G(T) will be plated for 14 tons solo and will be allowed only the same gross combination weight when used with a semitrailer unless it has a secondary-brake conversion.
It appears that your vehicle does not have this conversion which increases the plated gross combination weight to 22 tons. There is no specific legal requirement to fit a hand reaction valve in the cab for separate operation of the trailer brakes.
QYou recently answered a corres
pondent inquiring about American publications by saying that the US equivalent to CM was Fleet Owner. / seem to recall that there is another similar publication, possibly even more akin to CM, but I cannot find the name or the publisher. Can you help?
A There are several US transport journals
^ approximately equivalent to CM in editorial coverage, though monthlies are still the general rule in the States. We think the publication you mean is Commercial Car Journal, published by the Chilton Co. at Chestnut and 56th Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., 19139, USA. This monthly deals, as does CM, with road transport from the operators' viewpoint.
Q An MoT driving inspector has told me that taking the h.g.v. driving test is the only way to obtain an h.g.v. driver's licence now as you cannot apply for the licence claiming test exemption until February next. I read the Passport for Professionals article in CM August 1, contrary to this view. Am I in error please?
A We have studied the article on the h.g.v. test and cannot discover where it gives
the impression that licences can be obtained now.
It says that the test can be taken voluntarily now but that the scheme only starts fully on February 2 1970. After that date applicants for new or renewed driving licences who wish to drive commercial vehicles will have to pass the h.g.v. test or be exempted by claiming adequate driving experience on a particular class of vehicle for at least six months between February 2 1969 and February 2 1970. This period only will be the basis for exemption for licence application at any future date.
al note with interest the first item in
Q and A CM October 10. 1 should like to become a haulage contractor, with a 16-ton gross truck in the summer of next year, but am concerned with the obtaining of the necessary licence. In your answer about the "back door" method of entry you say "an operator would not even need to be in possession of a vehicle to obtain a C licence"; but on form GV5 registration number and unladen weight are required, and also "the nature of business", thus I cannot really see how this method can be used intentionally by an existing non-operator.
Will it be difficult for a new entrant into haulage to obtain an operator's licence and will a TML be required?
AAs we pointed out in the answer referred
to, to get into haulage by the methodindicated would be evading the spirit of the new legislation. For anybody planning to enter the haulage industry by applying for an operator's licence it will most certainly be difficult. The Licensing Authorities will make rigorous investigations to ensure that a new entrant to the industry is a fit and proper person and has the capital and maintenance facilities to ensure that his vehicles are maintained in the required condition. An owner-driver will need to obtain a TML when these are required, or if more vehicles are operated either the proprietor or somebody specified by him would have to hold the TML Referring back to the application for a C licence, it is possible to specify on the application form "a vehicle to be acquired not exceeding" a stated weight. For "nature of business" you could state something like general dealer which does not really commit you to any particular activity but as we have already said this is very much of a back-door method of entry and certainly not one that we would recommend.