Tell Me About Curtainside.....

I'm considering asking about curtainside with Roehl. I was hired on for reefer national, which I intend to do for the next few months while I get my driving game polished up a little since it appears that van/reefer is about as simple a driving job possible. but once I get that down a bit I'm interested in curtainside. I gave up the idea of flatbed because I tested some of the weights I'd read online at the gym IRL and no way can I lift 70lbs up past mid forearm level. I put my shoulders thru some hell a few years ago and I recovered to the no-pain point, but never really got the strength back. I can however wrangle, wrestle, push, pull, bully, maneuver and finagle just about anything to just about anywhere, I just do it smarter, not harder. The cranking down straps, throwing straps or chains, heaving down on bungees, tiedowns whatever, I think I could do that no problem. I've heard that pulling the curtain frame and cover along the bed is a PITA. OK- so is gutting a house lol. I'm pretty good with loads, forces, math and directions coming from a engineering background, I always work safely from years of working renovations solo. And mainly- I worry about getting old, fat and weak. I just hit the 50 mark and here's where things get real lol. I'm totally at peace with ageing, but I want to do it smart, and ferociously :-)

Lee _/\_

Curtainside is very similar to flatbed, just without the tarps. Roll up the curtain, position the load on trailer, secure load, close curtain, and drive. I have talked with a few Roehl "curtain commandos" as they called themselves. They enjoy their work.

My other half who has over 15 year's of flatbed experience calls them "sissy flats".

Lol I'm cool with that!!! question is- how sissy is it pulling the curtain frames ?? I can't imagine its anywhere near as hard as throwing tarps,. plus it's in a direction of force I can work with- sideways, not overhead.... ask your other-half what the toughest part is in his opinion.... pulling the frame or securement? inquiring minds wanna know..

Nothing about flatbed is sissy for sure.. the sissy flats reference was always a good natured ribbing towards the drivers lucky enough to have the curtain side trailers and not have to deal with frozen tarps. The curtain side trailers, from my understanding, are controlled by a push button controller. The push a button (s) and they slide forward or backwards.

Some curtainside I have seen have a crank system, like for the 5th wheel, and it rolls up, not to the rear. Other's have a pully type system, where you raise or lower it by pulling on the wire, or rope. I have not seen the push a button kind, but that would be awesome.

Roehl-Lee, it looks like it's curtains for you!

Actually, I just spoke with a driver that went from regular flatbed to curtain-side. He said he liked it much better. I don't know much about either, but to him it made his job easier.

Oh Bruce- you had me rolling.... yes indeed curtains for me. question is- when??? preferably after a make a little money ;-)

Can anyone point me to DOT regulations pertaining to curtainside trailers? Specifically condition of curtain. We have one trailer that has patches all over the curtains in various states of repair. I feel like the overall integrity is fine and all straps secure, but I'm not sure of the legality of a couple patches that are coming off. I need to get a detailed understanding of the rules regarding this nationally and in Washington State particularly.

392.9(2). Just says that they need to be secured. Sounds like what you are describing would more likely be an issue for the shipper if the freight was damaged because of a leaky tarp.

Can anyone point me to DOT regulations pertaining to curtainside trailers? Specifically condition of curtain. We have one trailer that has patches all over the curtains in various states of repair. I feel like the overall integrity is fine and all straps secure, but I'm not sure of the legality of a couple patches that are coming off. I need to get a detailed understanding of the rules regarding this nationally and in Washington State particularly.