Arizona republican., 1920-06-20

horse-d drawn wagons, handling all kinds of commodities at an enormous saving in both time and money. A great deal has been truthfully said about the motor truck being able to compete favorably with the railroads in the handling of freight between nearby towns and even on many long distance hauls, but strange to say, there seems to be little mention made of one of the most important points in motor transportation-one that has made it possible in a majority or cases, for the truck to accomplish these many things. This seemingly much neglected subject is that of the commercial trall- CT
 During the past few years this ex- tremely important auxiliary unit of motor transportation-the trailer-has been developing by leaps and bounds, so that at the present time It IS recos- nized by all careful observers of trans portation problems as being one of the most economical means afforded the truck operator to handle large loads at a minimum cost To those who may not be informed as to the rapid development of the trailer industry. it may be interesting to know that during the short time the United states was engaged in the great war more than 23,000 trailers were supplied to the American army for use as rolling kitchens, for hauling ordinance, searchlights, airplanes, pontoons, ann munition and supplies.
 While the great possibilities of trail- erized transportation are not fully known to many of the motor truck operators, yet it is a positive fact that over 80 per cent of the most success ful motor transportation companies throughout the country today have adopted trailers as standard equipment and are using either one or two Of them behind all of the trucks in their daily operations. A careful analysis of the operating costs of a number of these large concerns has established the fact that where the proper size trailer is used in connection with the truck, and where road conditions are not exceedingly severe, trucks are able to handle at least one trailer of equal capacity, without increasing the total operating expenses to exceed 20 per cent. Thus, it will be seen that by the use of a properly constructed trail- CT of the right size, the trucks normal capacity may be doubled and some times trebled effecting a saving of so per cent on the additional load carried.
 To the operators of inter-city and rural express lines the subject of trailers should be of most vital interest as their profits are solely dependent
 
 inent to carry the largest volume of freight at the minimum cost. The fol- lowing outstanding advantages should be of very great importance to all those engaged in hauling freight by motor trucks:
 l. Due to the fact that a much Iihter truck may be used in connec- ton with trailers, the initial invest ment in the rolling stock is a great deal less than where heavy trucks are used singly.
 2. With a trailer attached. a truck can haul double it's rated capacity without increasing the total operat- ing cost to exceed 20 per cent, thus effecting a saving of 80 per cent or one-half the total load carried.
 3. By the use of a trailer the great evil of overlooking is entirely over come, as the excess load Is being pulled and not carried.