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Transportation is an industry full of equipment types. So many equipment types, in fact, that it can sometimes be difficult to understand the use-case of each.
Matching the right trailer to your load is important for facilitating your supply chain.
Yet doing so only gets more challenging with so many options in the mix.
Curtainside trailers are an example of this. This class of semi-trailers is designed for a specific purpose. And, when used correctly, curtainside trailers can become a sound transportation solution.
But what is a curtainside trailer? What are they used most commonly for? And what, if anything, are the limitations of this specialized trailer type?
If you&#;re looking to add additional trailer options to your logistics procedures, curtainsides may fit the bill. However, it&#;s important to have all of the right information before making any decisions.
So, let&#;s go over many of the key details you need to understand about curtainside trailers so you can decide, definitively, whether they will meet your company&#;s needs.
What is a Curtainside Trailer?
A curtainside trailer is a specialized semi-trailer that has a rigid framework mounted onto a flatbed or flat-deck trailer.
Curtainside trailers are comprised of a firmly bolstered front, which features an entry door, horizontal roof supports running the trailer&#;s length, a metal constructed roof (similar to a dry van&#;s), two swing-open rear doors and a sliding tarp system &#; typically made from an 18-ounce (or similar) material.
The tarps on either side of the curtainside trailer can be retracted for loading, sliding in a similar fashion as the tarps on a Conestoga trailer.
Not to be confused with a Conesoga (though they commonly are), curtainside trailers are different in a number of ways. Most notably, curtainsides only feature tarps on two sides (the left and right). Conestogas have a larger curtain system which creates its roof and rear as well.
Additionally, curtainside trailers feature a far more rigid framework than Conestogas do. The roof of a curtainside trailer is immobile and not retractable &#; the same cannot be said of Conestogas.
Curtainside trailers come in both 48 and 53-foot variations. Here is a list of the maximum cargo dimensions for this trailer type.
Maximum Cargo Dimensions For Curtainside Trailers
Maximum Cargo Width
8 feet, 4 inches (100")
Maximum Cargo Height
8 feet (96")
Maximum Cargo Length
48 and 53 feet
Maximum Cargo Weight
40,000-43,000 pounds
Note: Maximum cargo dimensions will change based on the make and model of the trailer on your load. Always consult a trusted transportation provider for your exact trailer's dimensions.
How are Curtainside Trailers Commonly Used?
Curtainside trailers can be used for any freight that requires protection from the elements during transport &#; provided it can be loaded from the side or back.
Products that fit this mold include, but are not limited to, many palletized commodities, raw materials (such as lumber, steel and iron) and moisture-sensitive machinery.
Additionally, since these trailers provide such great protection, traditional dry van commodities like food and beverage freight, general retail goods and hospitality-industry items (to name a few) are also hauled in them.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Using a Curtainside Trailer?
Like any other trailer type, curtainside trailers have a unique list of pros and cons users should be aware of. Compared to its closest alternative, the Conestoga trailer, curtainsides boast the following list of pros and cons:
Advantages of using a curtainside trailer over a Conestoga:
- Better protection from the elements thanks to its tight seams and hard top.
- The durability of an aluminum roof.
Disadvantages of using a curtainside trailer over a Conestoga:
- Curtainsides are heavier, which makes it more challenging to move high-weight, full truckload volumes.
- Due to their rigid framework, curtainside trailers can only be loaded from the sides via forklift or from the back. Loading using an overhead crane won&#;t be possible.
Looking For Protection From The Elements? Here&#;s Another Alternative!
Like Conestoga trailers, curtainsides are a relatively unique trailer type, making them difficult to find in some markets and driving up the cost of using one. Sure, curtainside trailers provide excellent protection from the elements and reduce instances of cargo damage during transit, but, in many situations, you simply don&#;t need one.
For more side curtain trailerinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Tarping your open-deck freight will leave you with far more solutions to source from, cutting down the rates you pay in many instances.
That said, using tarps instead of one of these more specialized trailers will be a decision that is, once again, based on research.
Read this article which provides all of the information needed for deciding whether tarping your freight makes the most sense for your company.
And, after completing it, feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. We&#;re always happy to help you in any way you need.
Why Draw the Curtain on Side-Loaded Freight?
While it&#;s the traditional way to handle freight in North America, not all cargo can be accessed efficiently by backing a truck up to a loading dock. The ability to load and unload cargo from either side of a trailer is growing in popularity with the eCommerce-driven rise in urban and last-mile deliveries to places without loading docks.
Born decades ago in Europe, where loading docks are a rarity, curtainside truck and trailer designs are increasingly meeting the rigorous demands of trucking on this side of the Atlantic. Kinedyne introduced our curtainside solutions for North America five years ago, with two systems: Kin-Sider and Kin-Slider.
The durable curtains give a trailer the combined advantage of having flatbed access and the walled structure of a van. The durable curtains allow loading and unloading from ground level with a forklift, so you don't have to get into the truck for access to the cargo. This reduces the risk of driver injury and speeds up access to freight anywhere on the trailer at any time. The curtainside design also eliminates the need to tarp during inclement weather, minimizing downtime for a faster return on investment
With these systems, sideloading freight is easier, faster, and more fuel-efficient. Typical sideloaded freight includes bagged goods, drywall, landscaping supplies, lumber, racked goods, windows, and other large freight.
Kin-Sider and Kin-Slider are distinguished by how quickly their curtains can be opened and closed. While Kin-Sider employs familiar fasteners at the bottom of the curtain, Kin-Slider features a revolutionary latching approach that enables the curtain to be effortlessly opened and closed in just 30 seconds &#; up to 10 times faster than traditional curtainside systems. Click here to see more differences between our two curtainside solutions.
Whether the Kin-Sider or the Kin-Slider is selected, the result is no more tarping of sideloaded freight, no need to get inside the trailer to load or unload it, which improves driver safety, and faster delivery turnarounds, especially in tight urban confines.
The Kin-Sider uses pull-to-release overcenter buckle and rave hook web assemblies instead of a push-to-release method of buckling. The overcenter buckles are located at the bottom of vertical reinforcements so that they always remain within easy reach.
Operating Kin-Sider is simple. A tensioning mechanism provides a weather-tight fit to keep everything within the trailer sealed off from moisture and other damaging elements. Rather than waste energy opening heavy roll-up doors, the Kin-Sider offers quick, convenient, and labor-saving access.
The system&#;s universal tension box, located at one end, effectively tensions the curtain so that it remains tightly bound to the trailer. When it&#;s time to unload, just loosen the tension and release the overcenter securements for quick access to the cargo.
The Kin-Sider can be retrofitted to existing truck bodies or installed on new OEM bodies. It can be manufactured for truck bodies as short as 10 feet and trailers up to 53 feet long. It can be used with vehicle carriers transporting cars, with box trucks transporting drywall or racked goods, or with 48-foot to 53-foot trailers transporting lumber, pipes, cabinetry, and other cargo.
Watch this video to learn more:
The Kin-Slider is the 30-second curtainside solution. Equipped with a unique full length, vertical, multi-latch closure system, and an all-in-one release mechanism, it only takes 30 seconds to fully open and fully close Kin-Slider. This is especially helpful for drivers who make frequent stops to load and unload cargo. Using Kin-Slider can save 10 to 15 minutes per delivery.
Kin-Slider provides a technological advantage for those with chassis-mounted truck bodies that now use rollup doors and traditional curtain-walled vehicles who want to operate with greater speed and efficiency. Able to be opened and closed at both ends of the truck or trailer, this curtain-side solution lets you fully open the curtain, access the cargo, and then fully close and seal the curtain again up to 10 times faster than traditional curtainside offerings.
Compared to trailers or trucks with heavy roll-up aluminum doors that add weight and reduce cargo space (because the doors roll up into the trailer), Kin-Slider weighs up to 1,000 pounds less than a rollup system and takes up to 111 cubic feet less space. That means more room for cargo, which means more deliveries, resulting in increased utilization and revenue.
Kin-Slider can be used with pup trailers, box trucks, glass trucks, and beverage trucks as well as on 18-wheel tractor-trailers to transport a wide variety of cargo. Also, our revolutionary curtainside solution can be used on any platform (flatbed) body or trailer without camber. Suitable applications include sideloading of racked cargo, long-cargo formats, and other situations where loading and unloading freight from rollup aluminum door at the rear of a trailer is slow or laborious.
Watch this video to learn more:
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