Trucks
Curtain-Side Trailer: Definition, Payload and When to Choose It
A curtain-side trailer is an articulated trailer with strong fabric sides (curtains) that fully open laterally, rated up to about 27 tonnes on a 13.6 m deck. It allows pallets to be loaded directly by forklift from the side of the truck without lifting from above by crane, speeding up loading and unloading compared to a flatbed or box trailer.
Fast side loading versus full protection — that’s the trade-off a curtain-side trailer solves with a practical middle ground. This definition covers its design, payload, and when to choose it among other trailer types.
What is a curtain-side trailer?
A curtain-side trailer is an articulated trailer with sides covered by strong fabric stretched over a frame (the curtain), which can be fully opened from one or both sides of the truck. This design allows direct access to pallets from the side by forklift, without lifting from above as with a flatbed or opening a narrow rear door as with a box trailer.
Curtain-side trailer payload
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Max payload | 27 t |
| Deck length | 13.6 m |
| Chassis type | Articulated trailer, opening fabric sides |
| Loading method | Side loading by forklift |
Its payload sits between the flatbed and box trailer because the curtain and frame add lighter weight than solid box walls, but more than a fully open flatbed.
When to choose a curtain-side trailer
- Pallets that need fast side loading. A forklift reaches every pallet directly without needing a crane or top loading.
- Cargo that needs protection from rain and dust. A closed curtain gives enough protection on the road without full security enclosure.
- Mixed-size pallet shipments. Easy side access makes arranging pallets of different sizes faster than top loading.
- Sites with fast unloading turnaround. Side loading saves time compared to waiting for a crane for top loading.
Curtain-side vs flatbed and box trailer
A flatbed has no sides at all, so it needs a crane or forklift for top loading and offers no weather protection. A box trailer is fully enclosed on all sides, giving the highest protection, but loading is rear-only, which is slower for many pallets. A curtain-side combines the speed of side loading with basic weather protection, which is what makes it the common choice for most commercial pallet shipments.
Book a curtain-side trailer at an upfront price
In the Mirabk app, pick the curtain-side trailer as your truck type for a pallet shipment, and set the pickup and drop-off points, and one upfront price appears before you book. A verified driver accepts the load, and you follow the shipment on the map through to proof of delivery.
Curtain-side trailer27 t · 13.6 mSee this truck Frequently asked questions
What is a curtain-side trailer's payload?
A curtain-side trailer's maximum payload is about 27 tonnes on a 13.6 m deck, between a flatbed trailer's (28 t) and a box trailer's (26 t).
What's the advantage of a curtain-side over a flatbed?
A curtain-side gives side protection from rain and dust in transit while keeping the ease of side loading by forklift — a combination neither a flatbed (no protection) nor a box trailer (rear loading only) offers.
Does a curtain-side trailer protect cargo from rain?
Yes, when the curtain is closed it protects cargo from rain and dust on the road, but it's less secure than a fully enclosed box, so it doesn't suit cargo that needs full security enclosure.
When should I choose a curtain-side over a box trailer?
When the cargo is pallets that need fast side loading and unloading by forklift, and the protection needed is mainly from weather rather than strict security. A box trailer suits cargo that needs full enclosure.