Motor Road Transport For Commercial Purposes
(Liquid Fuel, Steam, Electricity)

CHAPTER XXIV BODIES—RAPID LOADING AND UNLOADING DEVICES The question of bodies for commercial motor vehicles is one of extreme importance, and it is only compara- tively recently that the matter has begun to receive the consideration which it deserves. When it is remembered that the body affords one of the main assets of motor road transport—i.e., advertisement—- and is one of the chief sources either of extravagance or of economy—according to its suitability—the significance of body-build is easily recognizable. To deal specifically with different types of body suitable for divers trades would entail Alling several volumes. It is therefore proposed in the present book to treat the subject on general lines only, with special reference to the labour saving and economic side of the question. One of the essential requisites of a commercial motor body is that it should be as light as possible consistent with strength. Many vans are fitted with bodies which. are unnecessarily large and heavy, and this means waste of fuel, oil and tyres, and extra wear of the machinery throughout, besides causing increased damage to road surface. It is not an uncommon sight to see a van setting out on a journey carrying only half the net load, or with but a small portion of the available cubic capacity in use. This is obviously an extravagant method of transporting goods. The problem of return loads is quite difficult enough as it is, without the handicap of carrying additional dead or non-remunerative weight. However, attention is at last being focussed on this very important matter, 175