Curtainsider vs tilt trailer: which suits your work?

There are two common bodies for covering a truck or trailer: the curtainsider and the tilt. Both protect your load, but they differ in ease of loading, maintenance and cost. In this curtainsider vs tilt comparison, we explain how each one works and help you choose.

What is a curtainsider?

A curtainsider (often called a Tautliner, after the original trade name) has curtains on each side that hang from rollers in a top rail, so you can slide them open and closed in one movement. That means you can load and unload very quickly from the side with a forklift, which is ideal if you load often and at several locations. Curtainsiders are widely used on semi-trailers and rigid trucks and come with various curtain tensioning systems.

What is a tilt trailer?

A tilt (or TIR tilt, not to be confused with a tilt-bed car trailer) has a fixed tarpaulin stretched over a frame of roof bows and stanchions, with side slats or boards behind it, and is fastened along the bottom with a TIR cord. It encloses the load space completely and is robust and windproof. A tilt takes more work to load from the side, because the tarpaulin and slats have to come off first, but it is strong and well suited to loads you rarely need to reach from the side. For a long service life and loads that seldom change, a tilt is often the most economical choice.

Curtainsider vs tilt: the differences at a glance

Maintaining a curtainsider

Because of its rollers and rails, a curtainsider needs a little more attention than a tilt. Keep the top rail clean and free of dirt, check the rollers and lubricate them where needed. With good maintenance, the curtains will slide smoothly and stay waterproof for years. We professionally repair worn rollers or torn hems, so you don't have to replace the whole curtain straight away.

Material and lifespan

We work with strong, colourfast PVC fabric that stands up to weather, wind and intensive use. With the right fabric quality and finish, both curtain side curtains and tilt tarpaulins last for many years. Their lifespan depends mainly on how often the tarpaulin is moved and how well it is maintained.

Made to measure for your vehicle

Every vehicle is different. We make curtain side curtains and tilt covers fully to measure, to fit your existing body or as a complete new system. We also replace worn curtains and tilt covers, matched to your rails or frame. Still weighing up curtainsider vs tilt? Take a look at our curtain side curtains and sliding tarpaulin systems, or read our guide to types of tarpaulin for more advice.