Over the years, the trucking industry continues to evolve, creating more shipping solutions to meet customer needs.

He shared his perspective on the amount of time he saves and advice for other Conestoga flatbed truck drivers. On the other hand, flatbeds have the advantage that they can be loaded on the sides or on the top and they can also be adapted to transport oversized equipment. Ready to get started?

Unlike open deck trailers, the curtain on a Conestoga protects the goods from potential damage from the elements or road debris during transit. A curtainside trailer has rear doors like a dry van. Also, the states your roll top Conestoga trailer travels through will determine the need for any permits or escorts required by state law. WE ARE OPEN - SERVING ALL 50 STATES & INTERNATIONAL. So, what is a Conestoga?

Because the drivers dont need to spend a lot of time manually tarping down loads or only loading from the back, drivers often find theyre saving a lot of time on the road. Conestoga Trucks: advantages, disadvantages and alternatives, https://mexicomlogistics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-white.jpg, https://mexicomlogistics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/conestoga-1.jpg, the open deck trucks dimensions and weight guide, Flatbed Freight Shipping Frequently asked questions, Conestoga, Double-drops, Flatbeds, Freight, infographic, Open deck, Step-decks, Trucking, Understanding the USA Mexico shipping process, Double-drops, Flatbeds, Freight, NAFTA, Shipping to Mexico, Step-decks, TLCAN, Trucking, USMCA, Transportation and Logistics Consulting Services, type of loads that are regularly transported on open deck trucks. If thats the case then the typical dry van trailer will not work for your situation, another choice could certainly be a flatbed trailer, but what if your cargo needs to be protected from the elements, or road debris? The simplest Conestoga definition is a trailer that provides security, protection, and versatility of loading and unloading. The flexibility and usefulness of a Conestoga have made these specialized trailers one of the most popular in the cargo transport industry today. The sides are open to allow access for loading, and the rear swing doors allow it to be dock loaded, similar to a dry van.

Another advantage of choosing another type of open deck truck, such as flatbeds, step-decks, and double drops, is that the cost of transport will be lower than the cost of Conestoga Truck. Great delivery. A standard flatbed trailer does not allow for the same loading options, making crane loading and unloading, as well as loading from the side, impossible. Well get into some of the similarities and differences here. Before we get to the pros and cons, lets talk about what a conestoga flatbed actually is. This accordion-like system maximizes your loading options allowing for rear loading, front loading, side loading, or even top-loading if needed. - Horse Trailer Transport You are limited to the interior width of your tarp system. Both are great options to keep your cargo protected from harsh elements, and both are an easier, safer way of tarping your load than climbing on top and manually tarping it.

The tarp system includes a rollup tarp door, rear support, and a stationary bulkhead in the front. Single handedly the most popular flatbed trailer you see being pulled behind a semi-truck these days is known as the dry van trailer. The main advantage of dry vans is that it keeps the cargo protected from rain, wind, snow and other weather elements because they keep the merchandise locked up in a closed space. The frame requires regular maintenance due to all the moving parts. - Equipment Trailers Which Method of Transportation Do You Need?

A great example of this is the Conestoga truck.

But theres also cons to consider as well. - Van Trailers Notify me of follow-up comments by email. We present you the Conestogas advantages, its disadvantages and the transport alternatives. When you contract service through Heavy Haulers, you'll be asked about your cargo, its size, and its value. - Conestoga Trailers However, the load travels unprotected from weather conditions.

These trailers have a large height, width, and length capacity, and the curtain spans the length of the deck and has a weight capacity of up to 44,000 lbs. Keep in mind that the exact specifications of each trailer can vary slightly depending on your provider; contact your provider to get more information. Both curtainside and conestoga trailers are classified as flatbeds.

This type of modern-day trailer actually gets its name from the original Conestoga wagons that pioneers used to cross the United States in the 1800s. Truck Makers Face a Tech Dilemma: Batteries or Hydrogen? Adam shared My biggest piece of advice is forget about the loads you might do once a year and think about the extra loads you will get from not having to waste time tarping or waiting in line to use a mandatory tarp station.

TRIAD1828 Centre 2 Cooper Street Camden, NJ 08102 877.634.3777, http://www.aeroindustries.com/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2015/02/Aero_ConestogaXPBrochure_091015_LR_ForRef.pdf, http://www.rolandcurtains.com/blog/3-benefits-of-curtainside-trailers. What is a Conestoga flatbed? Some of the questions well ask are: A curtainside trailer, or curtain van, is a dry van and a flatbed trailer combined into one trailer. By using our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy., Construction, Agricultural, and Heavy Vehicles, Payables, Receivables, Claims & Accounting, Division of Nationwide Transport Services. - Maxi / Double Flatbed Trailers Shipping a roll top Conestoga trailer will be a much easier process if you consider a few key facts. The tarping system can hide what is being shipped if necessary for security reasons. On the curtainside trailer, the frame does not move, and therefore top loading is not possible. If youre looking for a job like the one that Kelsey describes, let us help you find a great fit that meets your needs. There are companies, such as Mexicom Logistics, which can pick up the day after receiving your notification.

Youre not limited to loading and unloading from the back of the trailer. Create a free driver profile to get matched to flatbed jobs. Some advantages come with using a Conestoga trailer, including: A Conestogas tarped trailer makes loading and unloading easier, saving time and money and making the overall shipping process more efficient. What is the difference between a curtainside vs. flatbed trailer?

We talked to Adam, a Conestoga Flatbed Driver for his company Adam Graham Transport. What is Nearshoring? While the dry van trailer still remains as the top used trailer for transportation in the shipping industry, the specific need for a trailer such as the Conestoga trailer still remains as a need for certain shipments and cargo. They allow a fast loading and unloading since it can be done from the sides or from the top.

It really fascinates me to know that tarp trucks are actually just a flatbed with a rolling tarp-on-frame that helps its cargo to be protected when traveling though it differs from a closed truck. Though not as common as step-deck or flatbed Conestogas, double drops are essential for freight that meets these dimensions and requires both the ease of loading and unloading with the tarping system. The Conestoga flatbed trailer is used for very particular loads that require certain accommodations, while a dry van is used for more simple loads that require protection. With the ease of pulling the folding cover over the whole load and snapping it into place, this gets the driver moving faster. Its cost tends to be higher than other equipment, precisely because of its low availability. Oversized, expensive cargo can be shipped with ease using a Roll Top Conestoga Trailer. - Drive Away Services If youve decided that driving a flatbed truck is right for you, consider finding a Conestoga flatbed trucking job.

Then what you need is a Conestoga trailer.

Many trailer shipping companies offer only limited shipping areas, causing problems especially when hauling a roll top Conestoga trailer over a long distance. Height, weight, and width of your trailer are needed to check against the state allowances. Combining the unrestricted ease of access and open sides of a flatbed trailer with the security and containment of an enclosed trailer, Conestoga trailers unique efficiencies for drivers who no longer have to struggle with handling tarps or worry about bad weather disrupting their deliveries.2 Although Conestoga trailers are specialized for heavy and large loads, they are not limited to those loads alone and can handle a wide variety of freight. Check out what Kelsey has to say below: So thats the basics of what you need to know about Conestoga flatbed trucking jobs.

Types of Trailers and Modes of Freight Transportation, FAQ Full Truckload & Less than Truckload, TR News 337 January-February 2022: Getting to the Other Side: Safe Navigation for Pedestrians and Bicyclists at Alternative and Other Intersections and Interchanges, TR News 337 January-February 2022 issue table of contents now online, TR News 336 November-December 2021: MnROAD Research Facility: Three Decades of Collaboration, Studies, Innovation, and Deployments, Texas Governor Offers Deal to End Snarled Traffic at Border, As Texas Snarls Traffic at Border, Mexican Truckers Form Blockade. Both are great for protecting from the elements and road debris, but Conestoga trailers do provide more loading options, making them a versatile choice for many freights.

Though dimensions are never fully exact, below are the general dimensions for these flatbed trailers: Step-deck Conestogas are a valuable asset when shipping large items. So, if there is a need to lift unusual-sized loads onto the trailer for shipping, a great option is to hire a Conestoga flatbed driver for the job. 7050 Jack Newell Blvd S. Fort Worth, TX 76117, 7050 Jack Newell Blvd S. Fort Worth, TX 76118, 90L x 86W x 8H (front deck).

It is one of the only protective shipping methods that allow for side and top-loading.

- Lowboy Trailers On top of providing flexibility for a variety of freight, Conestogas also provide a useful solution when loading docks are occupied or non-existent. - Curtain Van Trailers

We also handle all the paperwork, including permits, weigh station forms, and customs documents. Kits can be retrofitted onto any flatbed trailer.

With all of these specifications, the industry has provided an array of trucks and trailers to cater to them. The dry in the name comes from the trailers ability to keep your goods and products protected from the elements or road debris. Conestoga trucks combine the advantages of dry vans and flatbeds. Why did diesel prices increase more than oil prices? Independent access to all sides of the trailer also allow drivers to add backhauls to the trailer without blocking access to freight that has yet to be delivered, creating a unique advantage for both shippers and their customers.5, In addition to these benefits, Conestoga trailers also allow drivers to transport loads in a time-efficient way. - Hot Shot Trailers You can check our Conestoga Truckload Rates here. A Conestoga trailer is one of the most versatile types of trailers available. For items that may require multiple forklifts to load or unload, a Conestoga trailer is a viable option. Copyright 2022 Drive My Way. Drive My Way is making truck driver recruiting personal again, matching drivers with jobs they love, and helping employers recruit for retention.hbspt.forms.create({portalId:"2744365",formId:"0653f6c6-5a4b-4e4f-bed0-9374015e1935"}); https://www.drivemyway.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/conestoga-flatbed.jpg, https://www.drivemyway.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Untitled-1-3.png, Everything to Know About Conestoga Flatbed Trucking Jobs. A professional roll top Conestoga trailer shipping company will be aware of the differences in the state limits and what is required to keep your transport vehicle within the letter of the law.