ANSWERS TO QUERIES.
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Our readers will be informed by the Editor on any points connected with the construction or use of commercial motors. Where a direct reply is desired, a stamped addressed envelope should be enclosed : if a request for privacy is not specially made, any query aid answer may be published.
Chassis for Goods and Passengers.
[4,475] (Durham).—If you anticipate being able to arrange for both passengers and goods alternately, then you should purchase a chassis of the capacity of at least 3 tons, and preferably 4 tons. You would then require two bodies for it, one for goods, and a char-a-bancs body for the passengers. You may get on the track of just such a vehicle as you require by a study of our small advertisement columns. Alternatively, no doubt, some of the isales of surplus vehicles will be taking place in your neighbourhood, which sales you should attend. Be careful in your selection of vehicles put up for sale as some of them, especially the heavier types, have little running life left in them.
Van Body for a Confectioner.
[4,476] (Clacton).—Suitable measurements for a box van body for your Arrol-Johnston chassis are 4 ft. 6 ins. high, 5 ft. wide, and length not to project more than, say, 9 ins. or 1 ft. beyond the rear end, of the chassis.
You will find a body designed to have a well more suitable for your purpose, and the interior should be fitted with racks into which you can slide the
trays containing your confections. It should be closed at the front end as well as at the back, for the sake of cleanliness. Any good carriage and motor body builder would make up a, van to these dimensions. The price would depend largely on the ornamentation which you desired. Generally a confectioner finds it desirable to have the d-ecoration of his van bodywork more oruath than the general run of such vehicles.
Three-ton Steamers Wanted.
[4,477] (Liverpool).—The following three-tonners are available as standard with a wheelbase of 11 ft. or under :—Sentinel (Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., Shrewsbury); Atkinson (Atkinson and Co., Kendal Street, Preston) ;, Austin (Austin Motor Co., Ltd., Longbridge Works, Nortbfields, Birmingham) ; Commercial (IC type Commercial Cars, Ltd., Luton, Beds.); Mann (11 ft. 8/ ins.) (Mann's Patent Steam Cart and Wagon Co., Ltd., Pepper Road Works, Hunslet, Leeds); Yorkshire (Yorkshire Commercial Motor Co., Pepper Road, Hunslet; Leeds).
We should strongly advise you, however, not to select your chassis merely because the wheelbase happens to be 1.1 ft. You can weigh your chassis on a short weighbridge, by weighing first the front axle, and then the rear; the sum gives the total weight.
Working Costs for a One-tonner and a 30 cwt. Lorry.
[4,478] (Bradford).—The total working cost of a 30 cwt. lorry is made up as follows: 7.70d. running cost, made up or cost of fuel, oil, tyres, depreciation, Maintenance. Standing charges, including wages of driver, insurance, interest on first cost, rent, rates and taxes, amount to 1010d. per week, which, if you do only 100 miles per week is 10.1d. per mile, giving a total for working cost of 17.8d. per mile. One hundred miles perzweek is very low mileage. You will realize that if you could do 300 miles per week, your standing charges per mile would then be 1010d. divided by 300, namely, 3.37d.; 'which would give a total then of 11d. per mile run. The corresponding charges for a one-ton chassis are running costs, 6.99d. per mile, standing charges 888d. B50
per week, which on a basis of 100 miles per week equals 8.88d. per mile and a total of 15.77d. per mile for working costs. Herb, again, you will note that if instead of 100 you do 300 miles per-week your standing charges will be 888d. divided by 300, equals 2.96d. per mile, and the total working costs in that case would be 9:95d. per mile. ' A Ford one-ton chassis 'should serve your purpose provided you do not exceed the rated capacity, and if it be given fair treatment. Finally, we would warn you that having bought a motor vehicle, the tendency is as a rule, with a progressive owner, for its Work to increase. If there is any doubt as to whether you need a one-tonner or a 30 cwt., buy a 30 cwt. ; it will pay you.in the long -run.
-Trouble With Ford Pistons.
[4,479] (South-east).—If there is anything the matter with the present pistons in your Ford engine) and -you intend to replace them, it might be worth while to fit aluminium pistons, with split skirts, and you would thereby get a slight increase in efficiency, other things being equal. Failing this necessity, and presuming the vehicle is in commercial use, we do not think the return justifies the expenditure which would be involved by the change.
Working Costs for a,Taxicab.
[4,480] (Bournernouth).—A complete statement of working costs kir' a taxicab was given in our issue of March 27th of this year. They are made up of running costs, 4.97d. per mile, and standing charges,. 23 6s. per week. This includes petrol, oil, insurance, depreciation, repairs, driver's wages, complete. In the long run,..the cost of running an ordinary 20 h.p. car and a 15 hp. Ford will not vary sufficiently to justify your making any difference in charge. If you can inn 400 miles a week, the total working cost will be 6.95d. per mile. Is. per mile would therefore probably cover empty running and give a fair margin of profit, although on long runs no doubt you would be able to come to an arrangement with regard to the return journey. The percentage which order-receiving offices charge varies in different localities. You had better inquire in Bournemouth. The running costs which we have given are based on a driver's wage of 22 a week.
Law re Licences.
[4,481] (Crayford).—You will find all information re costs, including insurance, in the reprint of our articles on "Starting Life as a Haulage Contractor,',4 a copy of which we have posted you.
As regards licences, you will have for a taxicab, to register it (21), and take out a hackney carriage licence (158.); this can be done in the local County Council or Town Council Offices. You must also have a licence to ply for hire (5s.): this you will obtain from the Superintendent of Police. With reference to your ordinary commercial vehicle, this will be registered at a cost of 21. The char-a-bancs will have to be registered (21): you will also have to take out a carriage licence for it, obtaining the forms from the post office. The cost will be two guineas if over one ton and under two tons, three guineas if over two tons and under three tons weight, unladen A hackney carriage licence must also be obtained for the char-abasics (15s.), and if you wish to pick me passengers on the road, and not merely book them beforehand, you will also have to obtain a licence to ply for hire for this service.