"The Commercial Motor" Road Tests

21st September 1962, Page 90

21st September 1962

Page 90

Page 90, 21st September 1962 — "The Commercial Motor" Road Tests

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A Review by B. A. Thompson,

F.R.S.A., M.I.R.T.E., A.M.Inst.T., IN support of the number of excellent

road tests that are conducted and reported upon throughout each year, it is most fitting that there should be a glossary of these published annually. In.this form the compact information with the section on vehicle specifications, also the comprehensive list of commercial bodybuilders, will make a very useful reference book. In this respect, I am sure that the Many readers who have cause to refer to individual road tests will find this a more efficient method of ready reference as compared with searching through filed copies of previous weekly, issues of The Commercial. Motor. The first series in this new venture was published on Wednesday.

To refer to the compilation of this publication. I would prefer to see the contents in numerical as well as alphabetical order. The title headings would, it is felt, be handier for reference if the layout, as already displayed in some reports, clearly indicated the make, type and design. Some titles refer to payload tonnages, others to gross load tonnage. On page 78, for instance, the title refers to "12-ton Gross," but the sub-heading records a 12-tonner. This example does, perhaps, indicate the necessity of applying a standard and consistent title heading quoting payload or gross laden weight or, better still, both.

The presentation of the reports has a touch of informality which, to a certain degree, is appreciated but, where the context deals with information and statistics on the performance of brakes, gear ratios, hill-climbing, transmission, oil temperatures, etc., it is considered that such information should be recorded under a standard individual heading. A test report was carried Out during the period under.review—April 20, 1962--on the Austin 7-ton tipper, but this does not appear to be included in the edition under review. As the intention of this series is to include commercial-vehicle road tests reported within the year of publication, it is considered that the exclusion of this particular test would be a slight disadvantage to the series' completeness.

I should like now to refer in particular to the commercial-vehicle road tests which are the background 9f this publication. Individually they arc a very essential medium for demonstrating major improvements and new designs between manufacturers, first presentation, and users' operational experience. It is considered, therefore, that both the expertise of the commercial-vehicle examiners and the value of the reports to the commercialvehicle users can be misplaced if reports are not presented with complete impartiality and consistent comparison. I would be so bold as to suggest that the reports should be more critical when the need arises, the results of which would only enhance both the high standard under c32 which tests are conducted and the policy of complete impartiality. Mention has already been made of the test reports in consolidated form for reference purposes, therefore the comparing of performance data between various makes of chassis of similar specification and gross laden weight would be very much facilitated if the performance data were recorded under standard sub-headings. The information, test figures and observations could, perhaps, then be grouped under the following headings:— Braking — Road-holding --Gears and Transmission — Engine — Steering — Suspension — General Performance and Fuel Consumption — Cab Design and Safety Factors — Equipment and Accessories.

The current trend is for manufacturers to improve design of vehicles for carrying heavier loads and to satisfy conditions on motorways and in Continental operation. With the surfeit of statutory regulations, necessitating operators to ensure ti vehicles are operated with maxim' safety, it would be of considerable bent if more information could be provided the reports on such matters as comfc layout of controls, visibility front a rear, accessibility, electrical equipage single, two-speed and hub-reduction axl

In conclusion, I am happy to expr the opinion that this new venture of 7 Commercial Motor in presenting a col tion of their commercial-vehicle road te will fill a very useful place in the librar of commercial-vehicle operators. It v also prove a worth-while addition to very interesting technical information S vice that the publishers have maintain, and I wish the venture every success.

"The Commercial Motor" Road Tests : Fi Series 22 tests ; 128 pp.; incorporating specifications British Commercial Vehicles for World Markets, directoryof manufacturers and bodybuilders. Publisl by Temple Press Limited, Bowling Green Lane, Land E.C.1, price 12s. 6d. net from booksellers or 13s. post free from the publishers.