Up and running an old 48' curtainside

Be careful with only opening one side. Good way for an unexpected operator to put his forks though your curtains.

 

Loaded lumber today.

The 5 old stock winches have a bar welded that keeps the strap close enough to the load that the curtain can close easily.

The problem with them is that they cant hold a strap all the time because the bar pinches the strap. I have 30' straps. Well had. I had to cut down three straps to make them fit under the welded bar. PITA.

I will probably take off three of the movable and put more bolt ons under the rail. Leave the old ones where the tires are. The sliders sit on the side. The bolt ons are under the rail.

I use about 20 8" tarp bungies to hold the curtain where straps are missing or not good. I'm thinking of just replacing all the 50 straps with bungies. It just seems quicker and bungies don't work loose.

 

Are you rolling all your strap up on the winches? I always roll up the excess leaving about a two foot tail, tuck the extra strap under the load (or lay it on the deck), feed the tail through the winch making sure it goes all the way through, and tighten.

I find the straps don't work loose, get tighter, and it looks neater compared to rolling the whole strap on the winch.

 

Well, I'll be darned.

I just got back from truck pro and bought 3 new winches. But, the way you're doing it will work, I'm sure.

That's a great tip! So I'll be able to use my old winches after all. Wish I would've thought of this.

Thanks a million

 

Any updates? I was just curious how you were doing. I am thinking about buying one myself.

 

Staying busy and trying to stay away from lumber. Each week has been getting better and better.

 

That's good to hear. Have you ever hauled any kind of wheeled equipment requiring chains to secure? I ask because I might have a gig hauling forklifts the the manufacture wants kept clean. They would prefer a conestoga but I found a good curtainside for $6500. Since I like to pay cash for my trailers this one fits my budget for now. If it turns out to be a good deal I will upgrade to a connie in the future. Thanks for the comeback. Rob.

 

I forgot to say that I don't blame you for wanting to stay away from lumber. LOL

 

When I was a company driver, I hauled a lot of equipment. I'm not set up for it right now- no chain rack.. chains... binders.

My trailer does have chain built into the floor. You pop them out and hook up to them. So, yeah, it's something I'm going to get into later. It'll take time.