Low-cost Trip To Continent
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DECENT return journeys with an IN 11-ton payload from this country to various Continental destinations have been made at a total cost of between 1150 and 5.200 per trip. This is reported by the Ford Motor Co. at the conclusion of their initial series of international truck demonstration trips.
A specially equipped Thames Trader articulated vehicle has been employed of 17-ton gross capacity with five-speed gearbox, Eaton two-speed axle, exhaust brakes and special long-range tanks. It was coupled to the prototype of Tasker's recently announced " TIR " trailer, The first demonstration run was with a consignment of furniture from a factory at Tipton, Staffs, to a German distribution centre at Cologne. Leaving Tipton at 7 a.m. the first day the vehicle crossed over on the Transport Ferry Service vessel " Cerdic Ferry" and reached Cologne at 4 p.m. the following day. The 350-mile road trip was made at an average running speed of 33 m.p.h. with a fuel consumption of 12.2 m.p.g. Textiles were brought back from Belgium on the return trip.