New options for hauling freight have pushed the envelope of the old-school conventional trailer. Softside trailers—also known as curtainsides—have rapidly opened up a new world of flexibility to freight and logistics companies seeking ways to cover more bases with a single trailer. Profit opportunities previously left on the table because of the strictures imposed by a conventional box trailer are now exploitable with the diversity offered by softside trailers. Getting the job done is also more efficient and safer. Roland was a major driving force in the popularity of softside trailers in Europe. Beginning in 1986, Roland expanded to the U.S. as emerging demand for the flexibility and convenience of softsides swept across North America, as well.
Pete Johnson
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Nationwide, cargo carriers have been discovering the many benefits of running curtainside trailers and are switching to this mode of operation because of the more profitable hauling and backhauling opportunities it provides. Some of the more beneficial aspects of curtainsides include:
With somewhere around 1.5 million curtainside trailers in use worldwide, it's interesting to note that only about 40,000 of these are being operated in the United States. They have long been a favorite in the U.K. and several other European countries, which isn't surprising inasmuch as they offer a significant competitive advantage when compared to traditional box trailers, not only because they are less expensive to purchase but also offer:
A curtainside trailer will never be confused with a conventional box van or flatbed—not by freight managers or drivers at shipping companies that invest in curtainside solutions, nor by the shippers they serve. After achieving dominance in the Euro market (curtainsides are now the best-selling new freight trailer in the UK) the curtainside revolution spread across the Atlantic. Here are three unique features that illustrate why the U.S. market has been quick to embrace the benefits of curtainsides.
Tarping is both an art and an ordeal.
Since it's required for much of the freight hauled by a flatbed, most experienced drivers refine their own creative tarping techniques to get the job done as efficiently as possible. Still tarping is, and always has been, an arduous and even dangerous job that most drivers—and their managers—learn to dread. The challenge of tarping is, in fact, why experienced flatbed drivers typically command higher pay than their colleagues in pulling dry-vans where the process isn't required. They earn it.
Before Curtainside Conversion:
After 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.
Today's fleet managers can't afford to leave profitable opportunities on the table.
One meaningful source of freight revenue are back-hauls. Most anyone can make money hauling freight from Point A to Point B. But if you're pulling an empty trailer or bobtailing all the way back to Point A afterwards, you're losing money on fuel and wear and tear on every one of those return miles. The opportunity to haul freight both ways helps compensate for the return trip to home base—but only if your trailer has the versatility to accommodate a diverse assortment of loads.
Fleet managers are always on the lookout for alternatives to increase the versatility of their fleet. Load requirements aren't static, so having the equipment to haul whatever freight presents itself at any given time is critical to a profitable operation. Unfortunately, a standard flatbed or an enclosed van trailer limit your options. That's why curtainside trailers have become game-changers in the freight business in the United States today, just as they were in Europe, previously.
Fleet managers have their hands full keeping trucks and freight in perpetual motion from Point A to Point B and back again, on-time and at the lowest cost.
Labor hours, fuel expenses, scheduling, dispatching—the job is complex enough as it is. So why should fleet managers use curtainside trailers? What freight managers don't need to deal with are gnarly loading issues and restrictions imposed by trailers that don't adapt to a diverse freight mix. A flatbed is ideal for some loads, but it can't fully replace an enclosed van trailer—which, by the way, will never serve as the sole substitute for a flatbed, either. The goal of accommodating ever-changing loads is a moving target you never quite achieve.
This article is a continuation on a previous article. If you'd like to start with the first 3 Reasons Your Fleet Needs a Curtainside Van, you can read it here.
Whether you're currently looking to expand, renovate, or otherwise improve the state of your trailer fleet, investing in a curtainside van may be one of your best potential moves. Few fleet options offer the blend of convenience, reliability, and ease-of-use you find married together in a curtainside configuration. Unfamiliar with curtainside vans? They’re quite simple.
