In the world of heavy haulage, there is a range of different vehicles to suit every application. When you want to protect a load against the elements (or hide it from prying eyes), a curtainsider trailer is often the go-to option.
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A curtainsider &#; sometimes called a Tautliner or Euroliner &#; has curtain sides that can be opened to provide easy access for loading and unloading.
Once the trailer is loaded, the curtains are closed and secured in place, creating a visual barrier and a protective shield around the contents.
This is as opposed to the older technique &#; still in common usage &#; of sheeting the load on a flatbed trailer with tarpaulins, secured with ropes under tension or ratchet straps.
Curtainside trailers offer a degree of protection for the contents of the trailer, making them a good option for transporting delicate loads, especially during poor weather conditions.
They also have an &#;out of sight, out of mind&#; benefit, as they prevent passers-by from immediately seeing the contents of the trailer, reducing the risk of opportunistic theft.
Finally, because the curtains can be rolled or retracted, curtainside trailers can be easier to load and unload &#; allowing loading not only from the rear of the vehicle, but also from the sides and, in the case of the Euroliner, even from above.
Tautliner and Euroliner trailers are specific types of curtainsiders. They were developed by Boalloy, a heavy haulage trailer manufacturer based in Congleton, Cheshire.
A standard curtainsider has fixing points where the curtains are fastened down. On a Boalloy Tautliner, the curtains are fixed on rails and, when closed, are tensioned to hold them taut &#; hence the name.
This helps to prevent the curtains from billowing in the wind, or in turbulent air when driving, and can also help to retain the load inside the trailer if it shifts during transit.
Legendary Boalloy cab designer Gerald Broadbent invented the Tautliner in and the first Tautliner &#; sold to Louis Reece &#; is now a part of the Science Museum&#;s Road Transport Collection.
The practical difference between a Tautliner and a Euroliner is that the Euroliner features a retractable roof, allowing goods to be loaded and unloaded from above (using a crane or similar lifting equipment).
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It was almost 20 years before the Euroliner would be introduced &#; Boalloy perfected the design in for P&O Ferrymasters.
In particular, this specially adapted version of the Tautliner had optimised tensioners and bulkheads, to offer the maximum possible loading capacity, and was aimed at drivers on unaccompanied ferry routes between the UK and Europe &#; again, hence the name!
The Chris Bennett Heavy Haulage fleet includes both 45ft flatbeds and curtainsiders, including 40-tonne Tautliners, articulated Euroliners and rigid 7.5-tonne Tautliners for smaller loads.
If you would like to book any of our curtainside trailers, make a specific enquiry about our Tautliners or Euroliners, or you have a question about any of the vehicles in our fleet, please don&#;t hesitate to get in touch and our team will be happy to help.
A Curtain Side is basically a flatbed with an upper structure mounted to the flatbed as a tarping system.
There are two types of curtain side trailers, the Roll Top and the original Curtain Side. Both trailers are of the flatbed variety and both are covered with a tarp system or curtain which can easily be moved out of the way, thereby providing ready access to the trailer for loading cargo. The advantages and disadvantages are discussed below.
The Roll Top is the generic term but it is also referred to by the popular brandname Conestoga, as shown immediately below, utilizes a sliding tarp system. In principle, this system works very similar to an accordion. When pulled forward, the tarp exposes the flatbed providing access for side, rear and overhead loading. The primary disadvantage of the Roll Top in comparison to a Curtain, is that the curtain structure makes the trailer up to 107&#; wide on the outside and allows a maximum of 102&#; clearance for the trailers cargo. The Roll Top necessitates a strict adherence to the 102&#; limitation of its cargo. If the product is at or near 102&#; wide and is misplaced or happens to shift slightly in transit, the system cannot be opened or closed. The Roll Top has a tarp rear &#;door&#;.
The Curtain Side is the generic name but is often referred to by the brandname, Tautliner. It is a flatbed trailer containing a front, a roof and rear doors, similar to a van, yet having side curtains that slide like a shower curtain. The Tautliners primary disadvantage when weighed against the Conestoga is in the limiting factor regarding the ability to load its cargo from overhead. The framework of the sliding curtains prohibit overhead loading of the cargo. However, the Tautliner trailer has much more flexibility in hauling products greater than 102 inches in that it allows room for error in loading its cargo.
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