n We are assessing the economics of operating a 12-ton
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attic with two bodies on short-haul work involving the bodies being continually changed. Annual mileage would be around 20,000. What would be the cost of such a vehicle and the alternative body? And what is your estimate of the operating costs?
AAs set out in Table 6 of the COMMERCIAL MOTOR Tables of Operating Costs, the total operating cost per mile of a 12-ton artic when averaging 400 miles a week (the equivalent of 20,000 a year) is 31.13d. This is based on a vehicle life of 150,000 miles which in this instance would be the equivalent of 7* years.
We presume that the term "bodies" here .implies semi-trailers. The operating cost just given assumes that a tractive unit is coupled to 12-ton platform semi-trailer resulting in an initial outlay for the combined outfit of £2,555. Where additional platform semitrailers were employed the combined mileage for the two or more trailers would remain the same as the total for the tractive unit itself.
Therefore the additional cost for each spare semi-trailer would be the interest charged on the extra capital outlay. say around £800 for a platform bodied version, together with a nominal additional weekly charge for washing and servicing.