CURTAIN CALLS
Page 110
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The arrival at Earls Court in 1970 of Boalloy's Tautliner was the catalyst for popularising sliding curtainsider bodywork. Curtains became loadbearing and evenly-spaced straps, quick-release buckles and ring hooks made life easier. The curtainsider's success has been considerable and its application wide ranging. Since 1970, many other bodybuilders have produced their own variation on the theme. Here we take a look at some of the manufacturers involved.
• The change to enclosed bodywork was driven by a number of faciors, including the need for more productive vehicle operation, shortage of men able to rope and sheet and the need for greater control of the load's transit environment.
The curtainsider has established itself as a permanent feature of the UK road transport scene. Today there is a massive market for replacement curtains and load restraint straps in addition to the volume market for equipping new bodies.
A number of well known names in the trailer business have entered curtain manufacturing to supply their new-build operations and the replacement market.
Among these are Boalloy and Don-Bur, both major manufacturers of curtainsider bodywork. Boalloy has just entered the exchange curtain business through its after-sales parts and service operation.
REPLACEMENTS
In addition to replacement curtains and straps this division also handles rollers, tensioning mechanisms and buckles. Boalloy has factories at Holmes Chapel, Cheshire and one near Paris. Now Boalloy will be supplying replacements for both its own and other bodybuilders' requirements.
LCVS, part of the Don-Bur Group, manufactures Sapphire brand cargo curtains and restraint systems as a highquality replacement for existing vehicles. For the replacement market LCVS is able to offer side curtains made and signwritten to suit individual customer/ vehicle specifications.
Armour Sheet, a division of Lawrence David has introduced a novel twist to the replacement curtain market by offering its new Fleet range of replacement curtains on a fast turn round mail order basis. These curtains are produced to the same standards as the division's existing Armour Sheet product.
The Fleet service normally takes 14 days, but Armour Sheet also offers a fast emergency service. Operators can order special colours not included in the range of 23 existing tones, and there is a sign writing service on offer too.
In respect of supplying a replacement curtain service, the above manufacturers are following the lead of dedicated manufacturers in this field. Here, companies like Evertaut (Dawbarn & Sons) have long offered a replacement service — and fitting if the vehicle is returned to its works.
One of the widest ranges of curtains is offered by Plastic Protection's Stronghold, which includes both strapless, tensioned and roller curtain blind systems. In addition there are insulated side curtains and a choice of 24 standard colours. It also handles the French Reynauld Reflex curtain range.
A major supplier of material to curtain manufacturers is ERA. This German manufacturer offers an unusual service. It is able to supply material which includes stripes of any width and in up to seven different colours. The UK agent for the company, Eric Griffin says the stripe colours are not printed on, but are plastic inserts in the curtain material.
There are several vertically opening alternatives to sliding curtains such as the Roller Curtains produced under the Bodigard label by James and Bloom of Altrincham.
Manufactured in a range of colours, the PVC coated 2x2 weave panama polyester curtains have stiffening rods with nylon end rollers. The aluminium bottom rail has a finger strip, is lockable and raises with the aid of tensioned spring rollers. Celebrating its 21st year of operation during 1990, SpanSet, a major supplier of straps and webbing for the military, is promoting the use of webbing lashings for curtains and load security.
As no legislation exists in the UK to define methods of load security, SpanSet believes that the best way to promote its product is through operator training. Next year, when the company moves into its new premises, it will introduce a series of training programmes for operators.
New to the SpanSet range is the very competitively priced Fastlash 5. The package consists of six 5000kg, 8m long rachet lashings, complete with chassis hooks and anti-abrasion protection sleeves. Special 10m long lashings can also be supplied in the Fastlash 5 package, which also contains an AWLREM lashing guide.
Besides being one of the larger curtainmakers, Stronghold also offers a range of load security straps including its new PSC37 pallet strap. This has a maximum length of 4.3m and comes complete with crush resistant plastic, over-centre buckle and is manufactured from 2000kg high tenacity webbing.
AWLREM
The Association of Webbing Load Restraint Equipment Manufacturers includes 11 companies. Founded in 1975 the association has its code of practice and quality standards and all its manufacturer members operate to BS5759 standards.
The AWLREM Guide shows the various types of equipment available and different techniques for its use. It also contains a check system for an operator to ensure that his straps are of suitable quality.
0 by Phil Reed •