Curtainside Trailer

Overview

Curtainside trailers are enclosed trailers with a fixed roof, front bulkhead, and rear doors, while the solid side walls are replaced by retractable curtains.

The curtains slide open to provide access along the sides of the trailer, allowing cargo to be loaded or unloaded with forklifts or other equipment without relying exclusively on rear-door access.

This combination gives Curtainside trailers the protection of an enclosed trailer with greater loading flexibility than a traditional Dry Van.

Key characteristics:

• Retractable curtains on both sides
• Fixed roof and front structure
• Rear-door access
• Full-length side loading capability
• Enclosed protection during transit
• Suitable for palletized, packaged, and irregularly shaped freight
• Commonly available in 48 ft and 53 ft configurations
• No active temperature control

Curtainside equipment typically uses a fixed roof with sliding side curtains, allowing access from both sides as well as through the rear doors.

Curtainside Trailer Image Gallery

Available Sizes & Configurations

Curtainside trailers commonly used for North American freight include:

• 48 ft Curtainside
• 53 ft Curtainside

Available configurations may also differ by:

• Curtain system design
• Roof structure
• Rear swing or roll-up doors
• Trailer platform
• Suspension type
• Axle configuration
• Interior height
• Side-opening height

Current North American equipment examples include both 48 ft and 53 ft trailers, while 53 ft units are especially common for full-length freight applications.

The specific configuration should be confirmed based on cargo dimensions, loading method, facility access, and equipment availability.

Typical Dimensions & Capacity

One current 53 ft North American Curtainside example lists a 102 in exterior width, approximately 105.5 in interior height, and a side opening extending nearly the full length of the trailer. Note: Dimensions, usable interior clearance, curtain opening, and allowable payload vary by manufacturer, trailer configuration, equipment weight, tractor, axle setup, cargo distribution, and applicable weight regulations.

Best For / Not Ideal For

Curtainside trailers are particularly useful when freight requires enclosed protection and frequent side access.

Cargo that exceeds the fixed roof or interior dimensions may be better suited to a Flatbed, Step Deck, or other open-deck configuration.

Industries & Typical Cargo

Curtainside trailers can support a wide variety of commercial and industrial freight.

Construction & Building Materials

• Lumber
• Doors and windows
• Packaged building products
• Finished construction materials

Manufacturing & Industrial

• Metal products
• Fabricated components
• Industrial supplies
• Packaged machinery components

Distribution & Warehousing

• Palletized freight
• Packaged products
• Warehouse transfers
• Multi-stop shipments

Retail & Commercial Freight

• Consumer products
• Packaged merchandise
• Large products requiring side access
• General commercial freight

Loading & Handling Considerations

Before booking a Curtainside trailer, confirm:

• Total cargo weight
• Number of pallets
• Cargo dimensions
• Interior height and width
• Side-opening clearance
• Rear-door clearance
• Loading and unloading method
• Whether side access is required
• Cargo securement requirements
• Weight distribution
• Origin and destination facility access
• Required trailer configuration

Keep note of the following when using Curtainside Trailers:

1. The curtains can be retracted to allow forklifts to access cargo from the sides, which can be especially useful when rear loading is impractical or when several parts of the load must be accessed independently.
2. Cargo must still be properly secured inside the trailer. The side curtains provide enclosure and weather protection but should not be treated as a substitute for required cargo securement.
3. Cargo dimensions should also be checked against the fixed roof height and internal structural clearance before loading.

When Should You Choose a Curtainside Trailer?

A Curtainside is usually a good option when your shipment:

• Requires enclosed protection during transit
• Requires side-loading or side-unloading access
• Includes palletized or packaged freight
• Needs easier access to different parts of the load
• Can fit within fixed trailer height and width limits
• Does not require temperature control
• Cannot be efficiently handled through rear doors alone

A different trailer may be more appropriate when the cargo requires unrestricted top access, additional height clearance, additional deck length, ground-level loading, or temperature-controlled transportation.

FAQs