KEEPING TRACK OF DELIVERED VEHICLES,
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A Description of One of a Fleet of Special Leyland Service Vans which Has Manl. InteresAng Features and Provides a Mobile Home for the Driver.
OF LATE years the average British commercial vehicle manufacturer has shown a greater appreciation of the term "service," and has exhibited a greater desire to keep a close eye on the welfare of any individual chassis after it has left the works. In this important matter they have profited very 'largely from the example set by certain of their American confreres, although this remark applies more particularly to, the question of general policy and not to the various methods which have been adopted in order to render the maximum service to the user.
As a matter of fact, the " service" provided by some of the largest British makers compares very favourably with that given by those who cater for the requireinenta of users of American vehicles' and does not merely consist in the establishment of local depots, or the appointment of agents, from which spare part e and replacements can be obtained. The service programmes of certain British makers are far more ambitious than that, and are so devised that the headquarters staff of the company are brought into direct contact with the vehicles owned by users in all parts of the country.
The establishment of proper service facilities offers many advantages to the user, but it also redounds to the lasting benefit of the manufacturer by maintaining goodwill, and it is also a factor which counts when the question of repeat orders is under consideration. It is for this ostensible reason that some makers have devoted considerable thought and attention to the problem of service and to the manner in which users' needs under this bead can best be met.
In the case of Leyland Motors Ltd., of Leyland, Lanes., the service scheme consists in the provision of a number of special vans, which tour the country in the hands of qualified men, whose business it is to proffer advice and assistance to users of Leyland lorries and vans. The most unique feature of these vans is that, apart from carrying a. good range of spare parts, they are provided with the necessary equipment f or enabling each of the drivers to be entirely free of the necessityfor seeking hotel accommodation for himself and garage room for the vehicle in his charge. • Each van is, therefore, to all intents and purposes the driver's home. It is this feature of being self-contained, and
the fact that everything for the personal convenience of the driver is ready to hand, which enables considerable time and money to be saved oft long runs, where quick transit is the order of the day. At first glance it might be thought that the vehicle was an unusual type of caravan, so replete is the equipment, but closer inspectiori will reveal the fact that the body has been designed to meet a definite need. The illustrations reproduced herewith will give an excellent idea of the lay-out of one of these special Leyland service vans. It will be seen that in place of the full-width partition which usually separates the driver's cabin from the body interior a half-way division only is employed. This constreetion leaves considerable space on the near side of the driver's seat, in which ready provision is found for an oil stove, intended for heating and cooking purposes, without obstructing the passage-way to the special compartment immediately to the rear, which is the driver's sleeping berth.
This compartment is quite roomy, its length being 4 ft. 6 ins, and its width almost equal to the overall width of the body, -which is 6 ft. 2 ins. ; it is also of lofty proportions. Its equipment includes a stove Ito which we have already referred), a wash-basin, a cylindrical water tank with a substantial capacity, and a bunk, 2 ft, 8 ins, from the floor level, which is erected on a series of three lockers. 'These lockers are 2 ft. 6 ins, long; the centre one is the largest, however, and access to it is gained by way of a sliding door at the fore end of the stores compartment. The cupboard on the near side is intended for the driver's use and has a door which opens outwards, whilst that of the .same size on the off side has a hinged lid.
One can well understand that the sleeping compartment can be made Very cosy, for it is well protected from the elements by a'half-pieee -windscreen (the other half of the front panel has a close-fitting window), and by lights in the side panels of the cab, which are arranged so that they can be lowered in order to secure adequate ventilation.
Thereat portion of the body forms the stores compartment, and it is constructed in the, orthodox style with bins for spare parts. There are six rows of bins on e-ach side, the dimensions of each being 1 ft. 84, ins. by 8 ins. by 10 ins., although practically one-half of the near side of the body is occupied by a fitter's bench. Each bin is numbered and is fitted with an edge piece to prevent the small parts which are housed
from being jolted out what the van is in motion. The bins of which the floorboards form the pass are larger than the others and are used for storing bigger and heavy parts.
Access to the stares is by way of a deer. disposed in the centre of the rear panel, and this gives a 2-ft. 6-in. opening, which is equivalent to the gangway space between the edges of the bins on each side of the body. It should be men tioned that the-overall height-of the body is 6 lif 3i ins, of which dimensions is taken tip by the bearers. In the near-side panel at the rear of the body a framed window is located, so that sufficien,t natural light is thrown on to the
fitter's bench, which, it should be added, is provided with all the necessary tools and equipment to enable certain tasks associated with " service" to he readily undertaken.
It only remains to be said that the body: which we have described is mounted on an R.A.F. rebuilt ",t-ton chassis, the type which is.noW kielng sold for 590 and with which Leyland Motors, Ltd., are giving a two years' guarantee. On.each of the service vans touring the country these facts are enumerated, and the information 'is thus broadcasted far and wide, whilst a. special panel is fitted it the body sides wherein the number of R.A.F. chassis back in civilian service can be announced by the Use of removable figures. As the weekly sales Inerease the total,.thesefigures are brought up to date. It might be mentioned that over -2,000 of these particular Chassis are now in service; which, in itself, is ample evidence of the confidence which the user places -in a properly reconditioned veliiele—a confidence Which has, been Promoted by the issue of a two years' guarantee 'by the makers. • Moreover, the use by the company thernseiveS of chassis of this type for a service where reliability and efficiency are easentialS is -trustworthy indication of :the mechanical fitness of such. machines.