MOTOR TRANSPORTATION FOR RURAL DISTRICTS 17 ; 
general types, it is believed that the descriptions given herein will be 
sufficiently plain. The following are among the commonest types of 
truck bodies in use: 
Stake body (open top).—tThis is a relatively cheap body, is easy to 
load, and is capable of carrying extra large loads of bulky goods. 
Because of its construction, it is adapted to a large variety of uses. It 
should be remembered, however, that because of the open top and the 
lack of protection on the sides, it offers little protection from the 
weather unless the load is well covered with canvas. It is not always 
easy to protect the load by means of a loose canvas-cover, and for this 
reason, the open-top stake body is not as popular for rural hauling as 
is the next type mentioned. 
Six or eight-post open-side body.—This body has a permanent water- 
proof top and, with the use of the customary side curtains, is a very 
popular and adaptable type. It is comparatively light in weight and 
offers much better protection to the load than does the open-top body. 
In winter, however, it is not easy to heat where it is necessary to pro- 
tect a perishable load. This type of body is the most popular because 
of its light weight, general adaptability and cheapness. 
Straight-side closed body (or van body).—This type offers the best 
possible protection to the load if it is so designed as to insure proper 
ventilation. It is possible to seal such bodies so as to protect the load 
from pilferage, this being a decided advantage where the load is a valu- 
able one. The closed body is heavy, thus increasing the cost of truck 
operation and is initially expensive. It is not so easily loaded as the 
open-top, but may be used for hauling almost anything that is offered. 
Open express body.—This body resembles the ordinary farm wagon, 
has no stakes at the sides, and is uncovered. It is well adapted for 
hauling milk or products shipped in bulk, such as grain. It is fairly 
cheap in price, but offers little or no protection from the weather. It 
is not adapted for hauling large loads of light bulky goods, and except 
for special purposes, should not be selected by the average operator. 
Dump body.—tThis is an unusual type for rural hauling and is not 
adapted to a wide range of uses. It is heavy, unsatisfactory, and 
expensive for general rural hauling. It might be used advantageously 
for handling bulk grain or similar products, but should be selected 
only for special uses. 
In general, the selection of body equipment is a problem which solves 
itself if proper forethought is given to the character of the business. 
There are many special variations from the general types of body 
mentioned above. If the prospective load promises to be heavy in pro- 
portion to its volume, the body need not be large. If, as is usual witt 
miscellaneous farm loads, bulky loads may be carried, it is important 
that the body be of sufficient size to accommodate a capacity load 
for the truck. 
