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FEATURED TRUCKS

Scania Tractor Unit
Tractor-units

2024 24 Plate SCANIA 500S 4×2 Low Rider – MW24BZT

  • 490,121 Kms
  • Tractor Unit
  • 2024
  • 500 Bhp
Scania Tractor Unit
Tractor-units

2023 23 Plate SCANIA 460R SUPER Highline – PK23LNU

  • 490,121 Kms
  • Tractor Unit
  • 2023
  • 460 Bhp
Scania Tractor Unit
Tractor-units

2024 24 Plate SCANIA 500S 4×2 Low Rider – MW24BZS

  • 490,121 Kms
  • Tractor Unit
  • 2024
  • 500 Bhp
Scania Tractor Unit
Tractor-units

2024 24 Plate SCANIA 500S 4×2 Low Rider – MW24BZT

  • 490,121 Kms
  • Tractor Unit
  • 2024
  • 500 Bhp
Scania Tractor Unit
Tractor-units

2023 23 Plate SCANIA 460R SUPER Highline – PK23LNU

  • 490,121 Kms
  • Tractor Unit
  • 2023
  • 460 Bhp
Scania Tractor Unit
Tractor-units

2024 24 Plate SCANIA 500S 4×2 Low Rider – MW24BZS

  • 490,121 Kms
  • Tractor Unit
  • 2024
  • 500 Bhp
Scania Tractor Unit
Tractor-units

2024 24 Plate SCANIA 500S 4×2 Low Rider – MW24BZT

  • 490,121 Kms
  • Tractor Unit
  • 2024
  • 500 Bhp

What is a Curtain Side Trailer?

The world of trucking is a diverse one, offering various vehicles and trailers for different kinds of driving challenges. The curtain side trailer is one of the many options open to operators looking to optimise fleet management, offering outstanding versatility among other benefits. But, if you’re wondering, ‘What is a curtain side trailer?’ this blog will give you all the answers you need. 

For the very best used trucks for sale, at Smith Bros, we specialise in providing our customers with excellent vehicles at fair and affordable prices. If you’re looking to optimise your fleet, reach out to us today, and we can use our decades of industry experience to help inform your purchase and get the best possible truck for you.

Not only providing curtain side trailers for sale, at Smith Bros, we provide a broad range of vehicles to our customers, including outstanding trucks from Scania. Indeed, you’ll likely want a tractor unit to pair with your new trailer, so discover our range that includes excellent vehicles from manufacturers like Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and DAF.  

But, before you head off to explore our excellent range, first discover with us the benefits of a curtain side trailer. 

So, what is a curtain side trailer?

Instead of the rigid walls of a box trailer, a curtain side trailer has large retractable PVC-coated curtains on the side that make it a versatile option for transporting all sorts of goods. With various types available that offer differing benefits, the curtain side trailer, otherwise known as a ‘curtainsider’, is ideal for delivery jobs that require frequent loading and unloading. 

Why choose to use a curtainsider?

It’s likely that you’ve seen hundreds of curtain side trailers in the city, delivering everything from groceries to kegs of alcohol. A popular choice for fleet managers who need something that’s easy and efficient to load and unload, curtainsider trailers can be parked on the side of the road for simple loading and unloading, even in busy city centres. 

What types of curtainsiders are there?

Curtainsiders can be tailored to your needs, with there being multiple types that suit different kinds of jobs and challenges. Some of the most popular curtainsider trailers include: 

Standard curtainsider: Curtains replace the normal rigidity of a trailer to allow for easy access and versatility. 

Double deck curtainsider: As the name suggests, this is a curtainsider with better storage capacity. This has the potential to optimise your fuel efficiency. 

Euroliner: The Euroliner trailer comes with a retractable roof, allowing a crane truck or crane tower to load goods and materials into the unit from above. 

Tautliner: When using a Tautliner, the curtains of the trailer are fixed on rails and are held in place with tension when pulled taut. Standard curtain trailers have fixing points for fastening instead. 

What’s better, a curtain trailer or a flatbed truck?

Choosing between any type of truck, no matter if it’s a curtainsider, a flatbed, a rigid or a tipper, isn’t a case of figuring out which is superior, but rather deciding which is best for you and your needs. For example, flatbed trucks are excellent when it comes to the transportation of large and heavy goods, such as those used in the construction industry. Easy to load and unload, flatbeds are also ideal for hauling materials that won’t be affected by the weather conditions, since they’ll be exposed to the open elements. 

On the other hand, if you’re hauling cargo that’s sensitive to harm from rain, wind and more, the versatility of curtain trailers, which are protected on all sides, will be preferable for you. Excellent for unloading in busy areas, curtainsiders also benefit over flatbed trucks thanks to their increased security, hiding goods from view to prevent theft. 

What are the positives and negatives of a curtain trailer?

While a curtainsider will be the ideal vehicle for some businesses, for others it may lack the specificity to truly excel in the task that they need it to fulfil. So, let’s break down exactly what you can expect from driving with a curtain side trailer, highlighting both the positives and negatives.

Positives of a curtain trailer 

  • Versatility: Transport a wide range of goods, from large construction materials to food products, with partial delivery also being simple thanks to side access to materials. 
  • Quick loading and offloading: Cutting out the faff of loading and unloading, curtainsider trailers make this process simple since a loading dock isn’t necessary. Depending on the load, a curtain trailer can be unloaded by hand or by forklift. 
  • Safer and more efficient: Curtainsider trailers easily contain their loads and don’t require the arduous securing process that you would get when you buy a flatbed truck alternative. This process reduces the risk of accidents during transportation and better protects the goods from elemental harm.

Negatives of a curtain trailer

  • Weight: Curtainsider trailers tend to be heavier than flatbed trailers, which can make them more difficult to drive, especially when at full capacity.  
  • Inaccessible loading: Unless you’re using a Euroliner that features a retractable roof, loading a curtain trailer cannot be done with a crane, unlike a flatbed.  
  • Safety concerns: Curtain side trailers are secured with several straps to keep them secure on the road. But when stationary, these can be opened by anyone, leaving you vulnerable to theft. 

What are the dimensions of a curtain side trailer?

The dimensions and capacity of a curtainsider will vary from one manufacturer and vehicle type to the next. Different sizes will suit the needs and preferences of different businesses, but the standard dimensions of a curtain trailer, according to BTA International, are as follows:  

  • Width: 2.44-2.48 m
  • Height: 2.65-2.70 m
  • Length: 13.60 m
  • Load capacity: 24.5 tonnes

Looking for quality pre-owned curtainsiders?

Now we’ve answered the question of ‘What is a curtain side trailer?’, you can begin browsing our excellent collection of used trucks, HGVs and trailers. A family-run business with 50 years of industry experience, we have the expertise that you need to help you optimise your fleet and maximise your profits, selling only the very best vehicles on the market. 

Selling used trucks isn’t all we do either, we’ll help you to install safety cameras and telematics devices to improve fleet safety. On top of this, to really make the most of your purchase, why not consider painting and wrapping your company’s logo and colours onto the truck for maximum professionalism? Or, you could even opt for an entirely custom job if you are looking for something particularly premium. 

Offering a complete service for our customers, our professionalism has been praised by companies across the country. If you’re unsure whether to buy with us, just browse through our many testimonials that speak to our efficiency and expertise!

“Just want to say a quick thank you to everyone at Smith Brothers! From the first phone call to Will, until the day we collected the truck, the deal was a breeze! Everyone was happy to help. We will definitely be back in the future!” – Russell Finch Transport – Russell and Laura Finch.

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