Why is a curtainside trailer a good idea for transporting your products? Here's what you need to know.
Two Different Methods of Accessing Your Cargo
There are two types of side access equipment. One type is the roll-top trailer, which uses a sliding tarp system -- not unlike an accordion. In this case, the tarp rolls forward or back to allow full access to cargo (it’s important to note that with this style, the system cannot be opened easily if cargo shifts during transit and rests against it). Another type is the curtainside trailer, in which case the side curtains slide similar to a shower curtain to allow side access.
Better Access to Cargo: Quick, Fast, and Easy
A typical truck requires workers always to load/unload through an opening at the back. This creates a barrier to quick loading and unloading; even at optimum speed, there is only so much space for maneuvering in and out. An advantage of curtainside trucks is that they provide easy access to everything inside of the truck. Since the entire side can be opened up, unloading can be more efficient. This eliminates first on, last off logistics. Load time can be effectively cut in half, allowing drivers to move to the next location faster than ever.
Why A Faster Load and Unload Time is So Important
This is important in military applications (when time can be a life or death situation), but it is also important for unloading industrial equipment and supplies. It might be difficult, for example, to remove an industrial oven just from the back of a truck; more room to remove industrial equipment means more space to maneuver and a lower likelihood of something going wrong (and equipment getting damaged in the process).
For machinery and laboratory transport, these conditions are optimal because the equipment is often both heavy and delicate. An accidental slip could cause hundreds of dollars worth of damage, and lead to an unhappy customer. Curtainside trailer loading/unloading can help solve this problem.
Protection for Cargo
Side curtains can be useful in preventing damage during transport, as well. An open flatbed truck is far less secure than a curtainside trailer. Worse, how many times do you see a shredded tarp being used to cover items on a flatbed? How much protection is this truly offering? Curtainside trailers prevent cargo from being exposed to the elements, such as rain and sun. This is especially important when the items being transported are quite valuable, such as lumber, building products or industrial equipment.
Security From Prying Eyes
Curtainside trailers offer a degree of security to companies thanks to their ability to conceal cargo (and conceal how valuable it is) as well as having options for locking or latching shut. At some point, all drivers need to take a break and walk away from the truck for minutes or hours at a time; during this period, you don’t want cargo out in the open for everyone to see.
The Right Choice
In short, there's more than one reason to choose curtainside trailers for your transportation needs. They offer protection, as well as easy loading/unloading through better access. Whether you're going across the country, across the state, or just across town, curtainside trailers will get you there the right way.
For more info on curtainside trailers, take a look at our free white paper:
