Got a question about Side Curtain Trailors

They can be used for a variety of freight. I do know that some of the high dollar car makers use side curtian trailers. (Mercedes, and Lexus for example).

 

They're for flatbedders that don't like to tarp.

 

We haul a lot of multi-stop freight that makes curtainsides favorable. Also, a lot of high dollar materials that the shippers don't like to have tarps rubbing on freshly painted surfaces. More than just becasue flatbedders don't like to tarp. If you are able to diversify into other areas, they allow you a niche that many won't be in.

 

A lot of them running up and down I-5 with forest products. They used to be used mainly for high dollar machinery as other posters have stated. They used to command a premium rate but loads I see for them are the same as tarped flatbed loads now. The disadvantage of them is with OD freight and many crane loads.

 

In car haul they are called covered wagons and are used for a variety of high end manufactures the cost of shipping is higher due to the cost of equipment and limit of units that they will hold

 

My father pulled them for years. He hauled ALOT of high end doors and prefinished wood floors to Vegas and Orlando in them. He had a love hate relationship with them could be loaded with everything BUT an overhead crane. Was nice because he was protected from bad weather by the roof and the side he did not have to open.