Welcome back to our series on How to Buy the Best Flatbed Trailer. Today we&#;re reviewing the differences between a Curtainside and a Conestoga Flatbed Trailer. Both are great options to keep your cargo protected from harsh elements, and both are an easier, safer way of tarping your load than climbing on top and manually tarping it.
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Both curtainside and conestoga trailers are classified as flatbeds. So what is the difference between the two?
We&#;ll get into some of the similarities and differences here. Some of the questions we&#;ll ask are:
- What is the difference between a curtainside vs. flatbed trailer?
- What is a Conestoga flatbed trailer?
- What are curtainside trailers used for?
- What is a roll top trailer?
Curtainside Trailer
A curtainside trailer, or curtain van, is a dry van and a flatbed trailer combined into one trailer. It loads like a flatbed but protects like a van with a ceiling, front wall, and rear doors. The sides are open to allow access for loading, and the rear swing doors allow it to be dock loaded, similar to a dry van.
Curtains hang from the roof on each side of the trailer, slide open, and close to provide an enclosed trailer. On the curtainside trailer, the frame does not move, and therefore top loading is not possible.
Curtainside trailers are a great option for loads that require more protection or when it&#;s more efficient to load from the side. It&#;s also a good option if you have multiple stops to make.
- A curtainside trailer has rear doors like a dry van.
- Typically has a support system for the roof, side and center supports, and a rear door frame.
- They can be retrofitted to any flatbed but requires more modification to the flatbed trailer than a Conestoga kit.
- It&#;s a heavier setup than the Conestoga kit because the system includes a roof, frame system, front bulkhead, and rear door.
- They give the option to side load or rear load the trailer.
Conestoga Kit
A Conestoga trailer, or roll-top trailer, uses a sliding tarp system where the entire system (tarp roof included) slides from the rear to front or front to rear. This accordion-like system maximizes your loading options allowing for rear loading, front loading, side loading, or even top-loading if needed.
The tarp system includes a rollup tarp door, rear support, and a stationary bulkhead in the front. You can retrofit a Conestoga Trailer Kit onto any flatbed trailer.
Keep in mind that with Conestoga Kits, there are many moving parts and should be on a regular maintenance schedule to keep it in good working order.
Pros:
- More options for loading.
- Kits can be retrofitted onto any flatbed trailer.
Cons:
- The entire system is an accordion like system which presents an increased risk of mechanic problems.
- The frame requires regular maintenance due to all the moving parts.
- You are limited to the interior width of your tarp system.
The Conestoga Kit is a great system if it&#;s well maintained and operates properly. You&#;ll defiantly want to have it on a regular maintenance program.
Available options on a Conestoga Kit:
- Man door for added accessibility
- Grab handles for safety
- Steps
- Front bulkhead clearance lights
- Inside lights to increase visibility
- Translucent roof
- Skylights
Ultimately both the Curtainside and Conestoga trailers are safer options than manually tarping flatbed loads. Tarping loads is more labor-intensive and adds increased risk while climbing on and off of loads.
Utility Keystone works hard at finding the best solution to meet the demands of your hauling requirements.
Read more in this series, How to Buy the Best Flatbed Trailer.
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.
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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.
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.
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