TRANSPORT TIPS FOR TRADESMEN.
Page 33
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Particularly Addressed to Those Who are Replacing Horsed Vehicles by Motors, or Contemplating So Doing.
THERE are a certain number of traders who deal in commodities that are extraordinarily bulky in relation to their weight.. Such goods present a somewhat awkward proposition from the point of view of motor transport..
' Light but Bulky Loads.
Within reasonable limits, concerning which the advice of an experienced body builder should be taken, the dimensions of a van body can be increased as regards breadth and also as regards length, though, on the latter point, the maker of the chassis should also be consulted. Very considerable increase in length means either the use of a chassis of exceptionally long wheelbase or else a big overhang behind the back axle, which generally leads to distortion and rapid depreciation of the. body, and, sometimes, when the vehicle is loaded, tends to make it unmanageable on greasy roads and steep gradients. So far as the van body itself is -concerned, the only other possibility of enlargement is in respect of height. Here we can assess possibilities accurately enough if the goods are always to be carried along some. known route. In. that case, the route should be carefully surveyed. It should be observed whether branches of trees are allowed to extend over the road where they are somewhat low down and, also, whether there are any bridges which might prove complete obstacles, or cause danger, if the vehicle had to draw up to the side of the road while passing under them. If the route is to vary, then an ample margin of safety must be left on the assumption that low branches and low bridges will be encountered.
The only other possibility of increasing accommodation is to provide, a trailer behind the vehicle. If -this is contemplated, we must first consider what will be the effect on the legal speed permitted. At the moment it is almost prohibitive, since no trailer worthy of the name from the point of view of the carriage of goods may be drawn at more than five miles an hour. The law is, however, to be altered in the near future. War time experience has, at least, peeved that quite substantial two-wheeled trailers will follow accurately behind the power vehicle, occasioning practically no danger and necessitating very little reduction in speed. Whether the new law will recognize this experience or not remains to be eeen. On the whole, the chances are not good, for the reason that, except in these special cases where loads, though bulky, are quite light, it would be
dangerous to frame the law so as to allow the comparatively light vehicle, perhaps in an unloaded condition, to draw a large trailer, perhaps fully loaded. The consequence of such a practice would be that, on
steep declines, there would be serious accidents at corners and, consequently, the man who wants to handle bulky and light loads may he'obliged to suffer from the provision made te restrain others from• indulging in dangerous practices.
Influencing Legislation.
The last few sentences recall to one's mind the fact that much new legislation is pending in respect of the use and construction of motor vehicles. Speaking in general terms, the trader may leave such matters safely enough in the hands of the representative organization of motor users. It does not do, howiiver, to depend too implicitly upon the complete knowledge of any committee, even if, admittedly, it be well chosen. It may not comprise anyone who has occasion to consider certain comparatively mall points, as, for example, that dealt with in the preceding paragraph. Consequently, the trader who is, or ought to be, a private member of some such organization, should find it well worth his while to go to the trouble of writing in and emphasizing the points which particularly affect him, so that his representatives may have the information to enable them to insist upon those points being covered. The committees of organizations do not always correctly reflect the views of their members. Doubtless they intend to do so, but, as a rule, such committees consist of the representatives of very large firms, whose problems may he somewhat different from those of the comparatively small participants in the industry. It may be a case of a few big men pulling one way and a great many small ones pulling the other. The big men, being in the right position, have matters their owntway, unless the small ones take good care to remind them of their existence and insist on applying their full weight.
Grouping Against a Big Competitor.
Let us assume that, in a country town of moderate size, some important trading concern sets up a very big establishment, immensely larger than that of any existent trader in the centre. The new concern may be out for business justifying it in employing, let us say, 15 or 20 motorvans. Immediately the older and smaller concerns are at an immense disadvantage as regards their transport, because, working individually; they only need one or two vans apiece and, consequently, cannot give a service of deliveries anything like as frequent as that offered by the newcomer. There is nothing more attractive to the customer, with the sole exception of good value for money, than the certainty of very prompt and punctual delivery of his goods. A very few failures to adhered to the times of delivery promised will do a trader's business an infinity of harm. We may take it as certain that the big concern will be scrupulous on such points, because it has' a keen organization desirous of establishing a. large goodwill as promptly as possible. It is difficult in. such circumstances to see how the established concerns can compete, unless they cooperate for the purpose. I would suggest for serious consideration in such a case the formation of a carrying concern financed by a considerable group of traders. Those interested will sell their vehicles to the carrying concern at prices estimated by an expert and will agree to employ thatconcern for effecting all their deliveries. The carrying business thus created will collect goods from all the interested traders, with sufficient frequency to compete on, at least, equal terms with the newcomer. These goods will be taken to the depot of the carrying concern, sorted out and sent out in the various vans formally owned by the traders. These vans may continue to bear the various traders' names so that each participant in the business goes on get
ting his fair share of the publicity due to their appearance on the road. Each van will, however, carry any goods consigned by -any of the co-operating traders to the area which is covered by its round. Prices will he agreed between the carrying concern and the various traders, according to the average aize and weight of their parcels, and the profits of the carrying business will be periodically divided among the co-operating concerns, after proper provision has been made for the replacement of vehicles and other plant.