Why is it difficult to popularize side curtain box trailers?

In terms of the development of truck technology, Europe has always been a model for China to learn from. Domestic new vehicle research and development, design, and formulation of regulations and standards are all based on European counterparts. As a result, most domestic truck products are now copies of Europe. But so far, there is one product that has not been widely popularized in China, and that is the side curtain box trailer.

Since the 1980s, Europe has begun to promote curtain-side boxes on a large scale. Now more than 80% of bicycles, semi-trailers, and full trailers have adopted such boxes. Side curtain box trailers can not only minimize the weight of the vehicle and achieve maximum loading capacity, but also greatly improve the loading and unloading efficiency, which exactly solves the pain points of China's road transportation. Why is such a good product so popular in China?

Side-curtain box semi-trailers are also called soft-curtain box semi-trailers. This kind of trailer looks similar to an ordinary box trailer from a distance. The main difference is reflected in the materials on the top and sides of the box.

Both sides of the side-curtain trailer are made of soft tarpaulin, with a guide rail on the top and a locking structure on the bottom. The side curtains can be easily pushed and pulled to any position during loading and unloading, making it easier for forklifts to load and unload from all angles.

The top of the carriage also adopts a push-pull soft tarpaulin structure. There are support rails hidden in the tarpaulin, which can be completely stored at one end of the carriage, making it easier to load and unload large items from the top.

The rear of the carriage is generally a traditional double-door structure, made of high-strength lightweight steel or aluminum alloy, and can be connected to the loading and unloading platform of a logistics company like an ordinary semi-trailer.

After opening the side tarpaulin, there are mobile stable stakes for fixing goods inside, which are equivalent to the railings of a traditional warehouse trailer. This kind of stable pile can also be moved forward and backward at will, making it convenient to use forklift pallets for loading and unloading goods. After the stable pile is locked and fixed, more horizontal rails can be erected on it. In order to reduce the dead weight as much as possible while ensuring the protection strength, the horizontal rails are generally made of aluminum alloy or wood.

Like ordinary three-axle semi-trailers, curtain-side semi-trailers from first-tier European manufacturers can have a minimum dead weight of less than 5 tons. Compared with steel trucks with the same dimensions, the dead weight can be reduced by more than 3 tons.

What kind of goods can be loaded and is it convenient?

Due to the special design of the side curtain box, the sides and top of the trailer can be almost completely opened, resulting in a particularly large loading and unloading space. Therefore, this type of trailer is most suitable for goods loaded and unloaded using forklift pallets.

If the goods are irregular or easy to move, side curtain boxes can also be used. Side Curtain trailers have a matching fastener that can be locked and fixed on the chassis to secure cargo or ropes. With triple fixed protection of fasteners, stable stakes and side curtain curtains, the safety of the side curtain box is comparable to that of ordinary steel boxes.

For roll-type goods that are easy to roll, foreign countries have even developed special trailer chassis. A slot-shaped coil clamping position is specially set up on the trailer chassis. Steel coils, paper rolls and other goods are placed in the middle of the clamping position, which can not only lower the center of gravity but also prevent rolling and shifting. The safety is far better than that of ordinary trailers.

How durable is it and is it safe?

The main structures of the side soft tarpaulin are slide rails, soft curtains and locks. Cord fabrics are generally tough and wear-resistant materials with strong toughness and corrosion resistance, and their strength is much higher than we imagined. Many curtain-side trailers abroad can be used for more than ten years without changing the curtains.

After the side curtains are closed, the fit between the curtains and the surroundings is relatively good, and there are specially designed waterproof strips at the connection between the side curtains and the top, so there is no need to worry about the airtightness of the side curtain box trailer. In foreign countries, there are also special side curtain box trailers used for heat preservation and freshness transportation, and their sealing performance is evident.

As for the anti-theft issue that everyone is concerned about, I personally think it is a false proposition. The strength of the side curtain tarpaulin is relatively high, and the tension lock also has an anti-theft function. It is not easy for outsiders to open the side curtain from the outside. Compared with ordinary barn trailers and flatbed trailers, it is much more difficult to damage side curtain box trailers, so you don’t have to worry about its safety.

So advanced, why is it so difficult to popularize?

Taken together, the curtain-side box trailer is highly lightweight, convenient for loading and unloading, and relatively safe. It combines many advantages and is completely superior to ordinary trailers. So the question is, why is it so difficult to popularize such a good trailer in China?

1. Usage scenario restrictions

Side curtain box trailers are convenient for forklift pallet loading and unloading, and are very suitable for short-distance transfer scenarios with fixed supply sources. They are not suitable for LTL distribution of personal transportation. my country's express, less-than-truckload, and dedicated line logistics have not yet fully popularized standardized pallet packaging, making it difficult for side-curtain box trailers to give full play to their greatest advantages.

At present, in my country's developed coastal areas such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai, joint ventures such as Coca-Cola and Nestlé have begun to try to use it in short-distance transportation, while other transportation companies rarely use it. In order to pursue lightweight, the chassis of side-curtain box trailers are generally equipped with advanced configurations such as airbag suspension, hollow frames, and aluminum alloy wheels, which further increases the purchase price of the trailer. Domestic general transportation individuals are particularly price-sensitive, and high-priced equipment prolongs the payback cycle, discouraging many logistics users.

3. Troublesome maintenance

Although the side curtains of side-curtain box trailers have a certain strength, they have obvious disadvantages in terms of anti-puncture and anti-cutting. If the side curtain is accidentally punctured, even if it is repaired, it will be difficult to maintain the original sealing and tensile strength.

2. The cost is higher

In addition, Side Curtain Semi Trailer have many parts. Curtains, slide rails, waterproof strips, locking buckles, fasteners and other components require regular maintenance, which invisibly increases the user's maintenance costs. This is why many people only One of the reasons why I can’t buy it.