Conostega or Curtainside

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Ghostzapper951, Jan 28, 2014.

  1. catalinaflyer

    catalinaflyer Road Train Member

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    That's odd because we used to run a ton of curtain siders as did a bunch of our other carriers and we're dumping them in favor of connies as fast as we can get them built.

    One thing that may make them a more popular choice in other countries is the width laws. We are allowed to go out to 108" wide with a connie so we still have 102" of inside width whereas other countries may not allow the extra width.
     
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  3. Moriarti

    Moriarti Medium Load Member

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    I know quite a few guys that do it, they love it. all their equipment stores in it, so it never (or rarely) has to deal with being rusted, iced-up, or freezing-wet. there are flaws, to be sure. but a good choice, on a quality-of-life level.
     
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  4. flatoutgay

    flatoutgay Bobtail Member

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    What are some pros and cons of each?
     
  5. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    A curtain side is basically a van with tie down points and one side is kinda like a tarp so you can roll it up to load from the side. A connestaga is basically a flatbed with the top and sides in rollers so you can move them almost all the way forward. Very similar to a covered wagon, just bigger dimensions and on rollers.
     
  6. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    with a con. the curtain goes front and back. really nice when you pick up a tall load. tough to do with a curtain. anything over 5 feet and your going to have a hard time getting your straps over the top of the load.

    either trailer is a little time c onsuming with strapping. because of the rubber underneath the rails. the one i'm pulling was pissfully designed. i have to use plates for my strap hooks. instead of the trailer actually haveing a small 90 degree rail for the strap hooks.

    another drawback is the weight. 3000 pounds heavier then a regular flat.

    any flatbed can haul most of the same freight a dry van can. just have to strap it down is all. provided it's not weather sensitive. and it may have to be tarped.

    last week, i picked up a load of animal feed from purina. i was the only flatbedder.

    when it comes to tarp. i'm glad i have a con. but most of the times. i wished i had a regular trailer. for the non tarped loads. and the less weight.
     
  7. flatoutgay

    flatoutgay Bobtail Member

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    I can't imagine it is fun trying to throw straps on a curtainside either. I can strap just as fast as with the rubber on my con. And it sure bets the heck outta tarping anyday.
     
  8. catalinaflyer

    catalinaflyer Road Train Member

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    Not sure where that number comes from. Right now on this current project I have an open 48' step deck spread and a 53' step connie. The connie has a rear slider to make it legal for California but my point is I cross the same scale multiple times a day and with the 53' connie step I'm exactly 1800# heavier than the 48 step spread. I know the bulkhead is fairly heavy but the rest of the kit can be picked up by 3 guys (we just loaded one up for a customer to go have our shop install). I know the 53' is heavier itself even without the connie kit because it has a spread and it's a combo whereas the 48' is all aluminum with fixed axles.

    Right on QD's website they say a full system is less than 1700#
    http://www.quickdrawtarps.com/features/
     
  9. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    my empty weight with a flat is 30

    my empty with the con i'm pulling is 33.

    that's where the number comes from.

    most loads. won't allow me more then half tank of fuel.
     
  10. catalinaflyer

    catalinaflyer Road Train Member

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    Wichita, KS
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    Same trailer as far as size, material, sliders etc??

    I'm not discounting your number in any way whatsoever, I was just stating that I pull both an open and a connie with the connie being longer and steel/alum with a slide while the open is alum and no slide and only 1800# lighter.

    I know there are many other manufacturers and see all variety of Connie's here at work every day, some look like they are designed to park a tank on top of (Heavy) and others are so flimsy (light) that it amazes me they make it down the road.

    For me personally it doesn't matter since 99.9% of everything I do is either just a few thousand pounds or so heavy I have to get a permit anyway.
     
  11. jldilley

    jldilley Medium Load Member

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    Sounds like connie's are definitely the way to go if you're tarping consistently.
     
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