Up-market Tautlinei looks set to triumph
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Boalloy sets the pace with curtainsiders. It; Tautliners are the ones that everyoni copies. No laurel-resting here, though, for new model is about to shake up the market Steve Gray peeps through the curtains
THE SINCEREST form of flattery, they say, is imitation. If that is the case, Boalloy, the Congletonbased bodybuilder, should be preening itself Cheshire-cat style. Since Boalloy introduced the Tautliner curtainsider in October¶969, the number of manufacturers who have tried to emulate it are legion. In fact, Tautliner has become the generic term used to describe all curtainsiders.
Although it has a five-year lead over its competitors and sells more than all the others put together, Boalloy was naturally anxious to maintain its market share. At first it was decided to offer a Tautliner with "downmarket" specification — called the Economy — which would win its orders where price was the primary consideration.
However, a curious thing happened when its salesmen out in the field talked to operators. At first the operator would ask for the lowest price. Then, when he discovered certain features were missing or to a lower specification, he would change his mind.
What clearly emerged was, in fact, a demand for an even more upmarket curtainsider. To satisfy this requirement, Boalloy is offering a Tautliner which it believes fits the bill. The new model (Boalloy refrained from calling it anything like Super Tautliner to avoid dilution of the Tautliner name) is to be sold alongside both the regular Tautliner and the economy model.
An extra side strap has been added, bringing the total up to 20 and each strap has its rated strength (1,3 61kb) clearly marked on it. This gives a total strap load capability of 27.22 tonnes (26.8 tons).
However, the curtain itself is also capable of some load retention, although Boalloy maintains this is merely a bonus. To give better corrosion protection and to help with cleaning, the retaining buckles on the side straps are made from stainless steel. And Boalloy has fitted closed At the front of the Tautlinc there is a new ratchet tension in device, claimed to be simpler t operate, and with a special loci able — or sealable — slidin catch. A T-handle allows spe( dier slackening and tensioninc he curtains' straps are supPorted in the runners by special obbin-type nylon runners thich allow easier movement rithout loss of strength. They re also easy to replace. The curins themselves follow estabshed Tautliner tradition with he strap passing through a .pecial pocket arrangement.
A unique Tautliner feature and because of patent rights, )thers cannot copy it) is said to lid strength. The straps pass hrough three eyes in the curtain Ind this, along with double ;traps, allows the option of inernal tie rings to provide crossoad restraint. In keeping with he upmarket specification, Boaloy signwrites the Tautliner and hen protects it with a special lirt resistant treatment to stop he build up of road grime, which makes cleaning easier.
To make loading and unloading simpler, where the centre supports are located, the Tautliner has a cranked swing-out centre post. With its cranked ends it can be swung out to remove it from the path of the load. Alternatively, the Retractapost — a device which allows the centre post to be moved along the sides into a number of positions — can be fitted.
Externally, the Hi-spec Tautliner has a reshaped nose cone and is equipped, as standard, with Monsanto Clear Pass antispray mudflaps. Inside, there is a steel plate covering the lower half of the front bulkhead to prevent damage.
The new Tautliner joins a best selling range — over 25,000 have been sold worldwide either through production licensing or owned subsidiaries — which includes insulated and refrigerated models and even one to carry sawdust.