CURTAINSIDE TRAILER BLOG

How to Convert a Flatbed Trailer to a Curtainside Trailer

[fa icon="calendar"] Oct 22, 2015 9:00:00 AM / by Pete Johnson

Before Curtainside Conversion:

flatbed-getting-ready-for-curtainside-conversion

 

After Curtainside Conversion:

flatbed-curtainside-conversion

 

Convert your flatbed trailer into a top-quality curtainside trailer and start reaping the benefits now. Maybe you’re already invested in one or more flatbeds and your budget or current cash flow doesn't permit an immediate transition to a curtainside at this time. Still, you can identify a role for the superior access and expedited loading and unloading that exemplifies curtainside efficiency. The flexibility to accommodate partial deliveries is another attractive bonus, as is the elimination of time-consuming tarping—always a nagging downside of flatbed operations. 

 

The Convenience Of Conversion

You may have a new flatbed recently added to your fleet or a used model that is under-utilized. By making the choice to convert your flatbed trailer into a curtainside model, you’re not losing a flatbed—you’re gaining a versatile enclosed van that also offers all the access advantages of a flatbed, with none of the drawbacks. A curtainside upper structure can be installed on virtually any model flatbed platform by Roland or an authorized dealer. After corners and attachment points are installed, the upper structure is mounted to create a unified enclosure with OEM appearance and durability that stands up to the rigors of the road. In only three or four days, your converted trailer will be hauling again and generating revenue.

 

Benefits Now And Down The Road

In addition to the painless conversion process, making the step to convert your flatbed trailer into a curtainside trailer offers a diverse set of additional advantages:

 

  • Depending on your specific financial profile, the depreciation of a flatbed may be re-calculated after conversion to a curtainside in order to significantly enhance the total net worth of your fleet.

  • If your flatbed has been utilized for over six months and the cost of the conversion is less than 75% of the retail purchase price of a new curtainside trailer, the cost of the modification with a conversion kit is exempt from federal excise tax.

  • Your drivers are already accustomed to the road characteristics of the existing flatbeds in your fleet. Load restraints, weight distribution according to axle bridge and other specific features of those models are also familiar to those who use them every day. Therefore, driver adjustment time to a converted flatbed is less versus an entirely new trailer.

  • Predictability is a virtue. The maintenance history of a trailer that is already part of your fleet is a known quantity and a matter of record. Likewise, the durability traits and limits of that trailer pose few surprises.

  • A Roland curtain-side conversion kit increases overall flatbed weight by only about 2,200 pounds. In a typical load scenario, this modest weight increase allows you to maximize your payload as well as take advantage of other profit-making options such as back-hauling. Driver’s time is freed up to do what they do best—drive—not throwing and folding tarps.

  • If you opt to upgrade your fleet to newer trailers in the future, a used trailer professionally fitted with a Roland curtainside conversion will bring a far greater resale value on the market than a standard flatbed.

 

 

 

Want to learn more about or request more info on how trailer conversions could help your fleet? Then please feel free to make your request here and someone will be back with you shortly.

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Topics: Curtainside Conversions

Pete Johnson

Written by Pete Johnson

Vice President, General Manager & Co-founder of Roland Curtains Inc. Pete was the first US employee for Roland International opening the US manufacturing business while creating sales in North, Central, and South America.

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