CHAPTER XI

THE PACKING OF AUTOMOBILES AND
MOTOR TRUCKS

HE packing of automobiles has one angle that is not present with most classes of machinery, and that

TH

is the protection of the costly coachwork which is such an important matter, both when the machine is for resale and when the satisfaction of the customer who orders direct is at stake. Injury to the coachwork will either necessitate patching up or repainting, and there are comparatively few places, except the large cities in the countries of most advanced technical development, where this can be done satisfactorily. The coachwork of the car may be disfigured in many ways; by the car working loose in the case, by improper placing of the wheels or by so placing them that they work loose and come in contact with the coachwork, by faulty protection, and so on.

Poor adjustment of the car within the case, however, may do far more damage to the car than merely denting or scraping the body, for a car that swings inside the case is likely to break the fenders, lamps and other fragile parts. The car must also be well protected against moisture and humidity, and there should be no doubt of the perfect dryness of the case before it is shipped. A case that is not made of well-seasoned lumber or that is constructed of damp wood, will cause mold to form and produce serious damage to upholstery and top covering.

It is probable that the most important part of the automobile case is the base, and particular attention should be given to this portion of the export package. The underframe should be of very solid construction, with longitudinal beams extending the full length of the case, one on each side and one in the middle. The cross

pieces fixed to the beams should be adequate in every way to insure a perfectly rigid base when the car is fastened down. The upper structure must be strong enough to withstand a severe shock from above or from the side, and every case should be provided with skids so that the package will never rest flat on the ground. If the skids are not sufficiently high it is very probable that water will enter the case and do serious damage, but with proper skids even though water should enter along the base it would quickly drain off.

Examples of Actual Practice.—A large manufacturing company describes its export packing as follows, supplying a photograph which is reproduced on page 307. "The finished crate contains a seven-passenger touring car to be shipped to South Africa. We would call attention to the spare wheel bolted on supports above the back seat. This car was covered with cheese cloth, thoroughly protecting the entire body from dust and other like perils, and, of course, all metal parts were thoroughly coated with grease to prevent rusting or tarnishing in transit. Spark plugs are taken out and the motor itself is thoroughly greased. The plugs are wrapped in oiled paper, and the tools are also well oiled and wrapped in similar paper. The car rests on 111⁄2" matched lumber covered with tar paper. The car is run on this bottom, the wheels taken off and secure blocking used. The framing of the case is then made, covered with tarred paper and sealed with matched lumber, and the top is covered with rubber roofing. All joints are cemented and weather stripped.”

Another manufacturing company writes, in sending photographs reproduced on page 308: "For the bottom of the case we use three pieces of 3" x 6" timbers with a cross layer of 1′′ tongued and grooved lumber with a layer of Safepack waterproof paper, then four 1" boards are laid lengthwise, two on each side, giving a double bottom for the support of the car. The 3" x 6" timbers raise the case above the ground so that even if allowed to stand in the open and in surface water no moisture gets into the

case..

"The framework of our case is made of 2" x 4" Canadian spruce, with diagonal bracing to prevent the case from being knocked out of shape. We consider spruce greatly superior to yellow pine and N. C. pine of the same dimensions, as it is stronger and will not split when heavy nails are driven into it. The framework is covered with Safepack waterproof paper, followed by a layer of 1" tongued and grooved lumber nailed tightly together.

"The car is supported on jacks at the four hubs, and is also held down at the four hubs, besides being braced at each end. All bright parts and the motor are slushed to prevent rusting and the oxidation of nickeled parts. The top is removed and carefully wrapped in paper. The windshield is also removed and packed in a separate case, securely fastened inside of the case."

A well-known automobile manufacturing company comments as follows on photographs which it transmits and which are reproduced on pages 311 and 312: "The cases in which our cars are packed for export shipment are standardized in every detail just as are the cars which they contain. The entire case is lined with tar paper to prevent damage from water or leakage of other cargo on shipboard. The top is covered with tar paper and the entire package iron strapped. Our case measures 274 cubic feet, weighing 2,580 pounds. Attention should be called to the method of placing the windshield in a frame on the bottom of the case beneath the rear of the top.

"Partly knocked down touring cars are shipped in cases measuring 160 cubic feet and weighing 2,320 pounds. The two photographs on page 312 illustrate the packing and how the various units are placed in the case. Note that the tires are placed around the frame in order to make theft impossible without cutting the tires or tearing the case entirely apart. Unbroken paper wrapping prevents dust from accumulating and is used in addition to the tar paper."

An organization in New York which does a great deal of automobile packing for export firms supplies several

CRATING A SEVEN-PASSENGER TOURING CAR.

Note especially how the spare wheel is bolted on supports above back seat.

Courtesy of Haynes Automobile Co.

METHOD OF BEGINNING AUTOMOBILE CASE.

Bottom of case is made of 3 pieces 3" x 6" cross layer of 1" tongued and grooved lumber, then layer of waterproof paper, finally 2 one-inch boards on each side.

Note excellent end bracing, firmly braced jacks supporting hubs, and method of packing windshield and top.