Who wants a tilt?
Page 28
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I read the article on the comparative tests on Commer, Bedford and Fiat vans (CM July 2) and I was surprised by what you left out, rather than what you put in.
First, Commer and Bedford offer five-speed gearboxes as options. Secondly, there is a lot of talk about excellent fuel consumption on Fiat and much lower profile, but nowhere does the article say that the body capacity of the Commer is about 850cu.ft, the Bedford 700cu.ft. and the Fiat 500cu.ft., which detracts somewhat from its appeal. Lastly I would like to take you up on the remark: "It's surprising that Bedford still does not offer a tilt cab on TK.I don't think Mr Gray can have talked to many large distribution operators whom he will find buy Bedford because it hasn't got a tilt cab, and a number have said that if and when the cab is updated they don't want a
tilt cab. (Vauxhall Motors will confirm this).
Tilting means extra cost, it means extra expense if damaged, and with the present engine layout, all routine maintenance can be done through the inspection panels.
As Mr Gray says, for major repairs, the cab can be simply lifted off, which is about a two-hour job.
B. G. F. NASH, Manager, Mitcham Road, Croydon, GN Ltd.
At the time of the test neither Conimer nor Bedford had a five-speed gearbox available for test Although the box van cubic capacities were not detailed in the text the author did warn that the performance figures had to be related to the vehicle size.
I would have thought that taking two hours to remove a cab is excessive at a time when tilt cabs are available. They need not have hydraulic systems, indeed the Commer is a case in point. The Editor.