Axle spreads favour tankers
Page 35
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• Tanker operators will probably benefit from the new axle spread regulations to a greater extent than other type of goods vehicle user, according to the comments of technicians of Ryland Vehicle Group Ltd at the Ryland tanker show in Birmingham earlier this week. Ryland anticipated the regulations by mounting 6000gal tankers on four-axle 30-ton-gross articulated trailers, which currently can carry 5700ga1 of petroleum spirits or 5000gal of gas oil, but from June 27 these will be uprated to 32 tons gross and will have a load capacity of 6000gal of spirit and 5600-5700ga1 of gas oil. And the 24-ton-gross six-wheeler will be able to carry 4600ga1 of spirit or 4000gal of oil.
In the opinion of Ryland many operators would prefer the 24-tonner to the 16-ton-gross four-wheeler, which has a normal capacity of 2500-2600ga1. The majority of existing six-wheelers are, it was said, of the 20-ton-gross type capable of carrying 3600ga1 of spirit or 3000 of gas oil.
While it was forecast that the ability of a 30-ton-gross eight-wheeler to carry 6000gal of spirit would expand the market for big rigids, the better manoeuvrability of the artic was a factor that would enable it to retain its appeal in many cases.
Operation of 24-ton six-wheelers could be handicapped by the non-availability of suitable chassis. The prospects of the 6 bhp /ton regulations was reported to be a worry to Gardner-dedicated operators of artics powered by 6LXIii 180 bhp diesels. Provision for a minimum output of 192 bhp for 32-tonners would necessitate the use of an 8LXB 240 bhp diesel and heavy-duty gearbox, which would add at least £1000 to the cost of the vehicle and reduce the payload by some 7cwt (100 gal).