Q Would we obtain a larger cubic capacity with a road
Page 55
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
train than with a 2900 cu ft tractive unit and trailer, to run furniture removals under TIR? If the capacity is bigger can you answer three more points? Can there be a walk-up tailboard on the towing vehicle, what class of hgv licence would the driver need, and does the company have to have two people on the vehicle all the time?
AFirst let us say that consideration of your cubic capacity requirements would best be given by a specialist bodybuilder making a detailed investigation. For instance. an
increase in capacity is unlikely to exceed 600/800 Cu ft and for a straightforward increase of this order the higher capital and operational costs of the drawbar outfit would not seem to be justified. If, on the other hand, the use of a vehicle and drawbar trailer enabled two separate loads to be carried for different destinations and the trailer is left at one to be unloaded while the vehicle goes on to another destination to unload, and the same in reverse for the return load, then the higher costs may well be justified.
A bodybuilder prominent in this field pointed out to us that there could be complications in the design and use of a conventional type pantechnicon with a "drop well" in conjunction with a drawbar trailer.
If the outfit which you have in mind comprises a four-wheel rigid towing vehicle, a Class 3 hgv driving licence will be required.
You will not have to carry a second man (statutory attendant) on the vehicle as the regulation which required drawbar combinations to carry a statutory attendant has been revoked.