Abstract: A novel form of vehicle, particularly suitable for use as an emergency tender, includes a chassis upon which are mounted one or more "inner" load-carrying compartments over the longitudinal axis of the chassis and one or more "outer" load-carrying compartments further from the longitudinal axis. The compartments are relatively movable parallel to the axis so as to expose the inner compartments to access from the side of the vehicle. Thus the vehicle may be constructed in a relatively compact form which can be extended to allow access to its inner storage area.