For Long-distance Removals.
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
IN THI4 country some of the longest „journey slk undertaken by motor vehicles are carried out in connection with furniture-remeval work, but even in this service a. couple of hundred of miles or so is considered a fairly long journey. In Canada, however, journeys of much greater length, and sometimes up to 2,000 miles, frequently figure in the haulage work undertaken by removal contractors.
A vehicle which is often called upon to undertake long journeys is that shown in the accompanying illustration, and although the chassis is of a type which is familiar in this country, the body is of a somewhat unusual appearance. The chassis is the well-known Leyland re ' built R.A.F. 4-tonner (long wheelbase model), and a feature of the body superstructure is the utilization of the space above the driver's compartment for housing a bed for the use of the driver when the vehicle is engaged on long journeys. Although constructed of light .material, the body is of robust proportions, and in spite of its size it is most attractive. The body side panels being long, the opportunity has been taken to illustrate the area surrounding the great lakes of Canada, the cities and towns in which Messrs. Dew and Son, the owners of the vehicle, operate being clearly shown. This is certainly an excellent idea for indicating the scope of the company's activities.
In place of the usual doors the hack of the body is provided with a special tarpaulin, which is so arranged that it is only called into use when the tailboard is up. When it is necessary to lower the tailboard, the articles upon it can be readily protected by a second tarpaulin supplied for the purpose. It has not proved a difficult task to fit the interior, of the body with artificial means of lighting, for a C.A.V. dynamo lighting set is included in the equipment, and this enables loading and unloading to be carried out by night as well as by day. It is claimed that the whole furniture of the average eight-roomed house can be accommodated in the interior of the body, the dimensions of which are : 16 ft. long, 7 ft. wide, 7 ft. 6 ins. high. In view of the size of the vehicle it has been thought necessary to fit specidl mirrors at each side of the driver's cab, although when the vehicle is travelling light the driver is able to obtain a good view of the road to the rear through a small window provided for this purpose at the rear of the cab.
It will he noticed that the driver's cab is adequately protectedfrom inclement weather, and this is a. factor of vital importance on vehicles which are used in a country where the conditions in the -winter months are often most, severe.
Easy riding is ensured by the provision of cushion tyres, which supplement the usual springing and add to the efficiency of the suspension system.