Metrovans join Pickford's fleet
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• Two vans of only 415 cu ft capacity have just been put on the road by Pickfords Ltd. Based on 35cwt Bedford CF diesel chassis, the vans are plated at 3.32 tons gross, and are therefore not subject to operators' licensing. Growing competition from smaller independent operators running small vehicles has prompted Pickfords to offer a comparable "small-lot" service.
Pickfords' operating engineers, wanting a light but rugged van body, looked at a number of boxvan designs, finally specifying the York Metrovan, introduced earlier this year. The body is of all-aluminium construction, including the floor structure of transversely laid interlocking extruded planking.
One of the main features particularly suited to removals work is the full-width rear doorway. Its 6ft 9in.-wide opening equals that of the body interior. Inside length is 9ft 10+in., while loads up to oft 2in. high can be carried.
Compared with Pickfords' larger vans, the York-bodied CFs score with a platform height of only 27in. An entry step at the rear, 13in. high, further simplifies the loading of large items of furniture.
Side-hinged rear doors are fitted, with three hinges on each one. A sturdy full-height cam-locking bar secures the doors against shifting loads, while a weather-tight rubber seal is fitted around the door edges.
Both vans are finished in Pickfords' navy blue livery with white lettering, with the wheels in contrasting red.
One of the vehicles has been allocated to Pickfords' Cardiff depot, the other to Plymouth. They will be used on "small-lots" removals and on "feeder" services. The vans will also double as service vehicles, carrying packing materials and so on.