Biglorryblog's Scottish contributor Alex Saville asks: "Let's see who remembers this Volvo double trailer outfit that ran LEGALLY on British roads!" Well Let Biglorryblog put his hand up and shout: "ooh sir! Pleas sir! Me sir!" as I certainly do. It was known as a 'Double-Bottom' for obvious reasons and was roadtested by the then technical editor Graham Montgomorie.
"This was a test way back supported by Volvo, that ran on one of the motorways." Says Alex who adds: "I recollect the Transport Ministry had them fit a camera at the rear so that following traffic could be seen. I also recollect that the outfit was instructed not to exceed 40 MPH on the motorway. That rule went out the window when the outfit was stopped by the police and told to get a move on! The tester's then ran the vehicle at normal speeds. Martin Phippard may recollect this one.At the back of my mind I have a notion that Whitbreads ran trials of a similar outfit between London & Brighton...anybody out there that can confirm this? Alex." Now click through here for more.
I don't remember the Whitbread's doubles though I know a man who might. And I thought the test driver at this stage was none other than Ron (cor blimey!) Cater although whether he was working for Commercial Motor or Volvo Trucks GB at the time I am not certain.
Just as an aside I also recall that York Trailers (who had Canadian origins) used an imported Kenworth K-100 cabover to pull a set of doubles around. So I guess the obvious question now is, "Were the trailers behind the Volvo built by York?" Answers on a postcard please to BLB.
Martin
I remember York's Kenworths (Didn't they have a couple of those?)and also a DAF they had. I dont remember them pulling doubles.
Maybe Brian could go into the CM & MT archive's and see what he can find.
Alex
At the time this outfit was being tested Volvo were associated with Hands Trailers, certainly the F88 model when tested by the Ministry was fitted with that so perhaps these were built by them too.
I can remember Foden testing double bottom outfits possibly about the same time or perhaps later.I agree Ron Cater would be the man in the know.
In the book 'Carrying Cargo' I used a photograph of one of the outfits and single axle Crane Fruehauf semi-trailers are being used.
Have found a large format slide(60 X 60) which shows a rear view of this outfit & confims what Bob Tuck has said about the trailers being Crane Freuhauf. Regretably I don't know how to send a copy to you .