I just had my first experience with these trailers. I'll "NEVER AGAIN" use the traditional type of manual tarp trailer. Tarping a load has always been the 2nd most dangerous part of trucking....right after driving! At 63 years old, I don't bounce as good as I used to...
Hi Richard, nice video very detailed. Have a couple of quick questions. 1) If the bulkhead door is block due to product, how else can you climb onto the flatbed deck? 2) I'm interested in understanding the straps storing and strapping method. Currently I use a curtain on traditional flatbed with the strap wench holder to tighten load with the bar. And use the strap winder tool to recoil them back onto the wench type holder. Could you please explain the difference method for both storing and securing a load using straps on the Conestoga. Thank You
I owned a Conestoga a few years ago. Put on a ravens trailer. If you got ice on top you couldn’t slide it open. Had to take broom and try to knock it off. Had there good points and bad. It was nine foot wide. Hard to see when backing in a building. Glad I sold it. Just got open step deck now. I always pulled open flat or steps. Just wasn’t for me.
Is snow and ice ever an issue when opening/closing these things? I imagine if the tracks have ice and other crap in there they are a pain in the ass to operate?
The Conestoga kit itself shields ice and snow intrusion on the rails. However, if ice or debris is able to collect the roller system its narrow and sturdy enough to push through the obstruction with little effort.
so my company has this exact trailer made in 2016. its on a fontaine frame. its been in the repair shop for nearly 1 year out of the 2.5 weve has it. constant tarp repairs. tree branchs etc. its a steel trailer so most of it is already rusty and the conestoga part doesn't operate very good.. the locking mechanisms and hinges are not very easy to operate. most days I wish I just had a normal flatbed.. heres my biggest issue... regular 4 inch straps with flat hooks cant hook up to the inside frame rail because its to big and the hook doesn't bite onto it.. so my company cut the hooks off the straps and they run the straps from winch to winch on each side. its very time consuming and frustrating. will a diffirent type of strap hook work?
Holy smokes that sounds like more trouble than it's worth. Winch to winch sounds horrible. If your getting payed by the hour to secure your load than I guess that's on them. They will pay you more to monkey with it than just getting a better trailer. If your only getting paid for miles then personally I would definitely have a conversation with the boss.
A paddle groove works for me , i carry my strap winder and run the strap bottom to top through the rub rail, Then reroll and toss to the other side. Still time consuming but not to bad.
I personally prefer winch to winch as its better securement and ensures that the freight doesn’t shift and obstruct the tarp system. That being said, ketadyne hook straps fit through our rub rail gaskets and secure to the frame just fine. Ours is a retinour
Not to be mean but sounds like you have a junk trailer or someone don't know what there doing. As far as straps u can use chain straps or flatten down your hooks with a hammer. Normally u can still use flat hooks if u only have ratchets on one side or use j hooks. The ratchet track gets in the way of hooking to the frame
Excellent video. But definitely not for me. I make the same kind of money not doing all this extra work, especially on freezing winter days. Much respect to anyone that does this.
I see nothing here but a nightmare. Frozen tracks in the winter, spending lots of time with a screwdriver and a hammer chipping off ice. Velcro covered in ice making it useless. Way too many moving parts. One hit from a forklift and that's it. It's useless. A nightmare to change the track. Got me?
I Run the same set up only more moving parts because its on a step. Your correct it has alot of moving part and yes they are vulnerable, Ive been through 4 seasons in the midwest, i use a stiff bristle brush for ice and slush and yes there is some, in the real world i prefer anything over tarping a high load in the wind with frozen tarps. In a perfect world I think a curtain side is better But for mid loads and coils i would prefer an old school side kit. A few tips bungee the roll up bar, It hurts alot when it hits you. Put a rubber piece across the top of the front door its razor sharp and hurts when your in a hurry!
It's amazing how many ppl just don't wash. If u washed now and then most of the ice hassle would be taken care of. Good lord. What works for someone else may not work for you. To each their own. Everyone's doing essentially the same job. Moving freight across America.
It's a ridiculous system. Over engineered and over complicated. High winds, hopeless fork lift drivers and a tired driver have a lot of scope for inflicting damage to this set up. A European style curtain side trailer is far less complicated and user friendly.
Not really I use one every day this video makes it seem alot harder than it is my kit can be open in less than 30 seconds.if you ever use one and it's not ragged out lol then you would not want to go back to a open or covered wagon. Next time u see a nice kit have the driver show you how it works in real time
Been doing this for years now and it’s the only reason I am still driving a truck. Did the open flatbed before the conestoga and I still have nightmares because of the 8ft tarps. Yes you need to be careful with it but when you drive a flatbed you need to know what the fk You do no matter what!
Very well explained. Glad you made this video. Gonna go from tarping to Conestoga now. Thanks alot.
Benjamin Aponte can I tell you about a great company with conestoga and heavy haul division.
@@mikeholland2637 you can tell me as well.
@@mikeholland2637 You call tell me as well
The best video to help learn these trailers 👍👍❤
You've helped me more than I could tell you. Thanks
From knowing nothing to all I need to know (for now) in 20min.. thanks!
Give This Guy a Raise,... He Works Harder Than I Do !! Lol,.. You're Doin Great - Nice Video 😉👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks a lot!!!!! This Monday I’m going with a trainer for a week. I got a little ahead of the game
I came here bc I always wondered how these worked great explanation thank you!!!
This was very informative gonna be doing this type of trailer starting next week.
I just had my first experience with these trailers. I'll "NEVER AGAIN" use the traditional type of manual tarp trailer. Tarping a load has always been the 2nd most dangerous part of trucking....right after driving! At 63 years old, I don't bounce as good as I used to...
Awesome video. Explained very well.
Hi Richard, nice video very detailed. Have a couple of quick questions.
1) If the bulkhead door is block due to product, how else can you climb onto the flatbed deck?
2) I'm interested in understanding the straps storing and strapping method. Currently I use a curtain on traditional flatbed with the strap wench holder to tighten load with the bar. And use the strap winder tool to recoil them back onto the wench type holder.
Could you please explain the difference method for both storing and securing a load using straps on the Conestoga.
Thank You
A lot of work!
I owned a Conestoga a few years ago. Put on a ravens trailer. If you got ice on top you couldn’t slide it open. Had to take broom and try to knock it off. Had there good points and bad. It was nine foot wide. Hard to see when backing in a building. Glad I sold it. Just got open step deck now. I always pulled open flat or steps. Just wasn’t for me.
Great video
Look effortless
Thank you Very much for making This Video.
I lov it thank you for the video but i hav a question what do you do when loads are over wide or longer then the trailer
Great information!!
Hmm! Okay yes that's right working driver's trailer! #keepontruckin 😉🇺🇸💪👍🏼
Great video very informative on the conestoga
Gotcha!👍😆
Personally, I would definitely own a Rolltite like ťhis trailer.
Is snow and ice ever an issue when opening/closing these things? I imagine if the tracks have ice and other crap in there they are a pain in the ass to operate?
The Conestoga kit itself shields ice and snow intrusion on the rails. However, if ice or debris is able to collect the roller system its narrow and sturdy enough to push through the obstruction with little effort.
Thank you
Would brokers and shippers have an issue with you picking up dry van loads with this type of trailer?
Probably, since you're still using flatbed methods of tying down; as opposed to having walls to brace load bars and straps.
Can u drive with that open?
so my company has this exact trailer made in 2016. its on a fontaine frame. its been in the repair shop for nearly 1 year out of the 2.5 weve has it. constant tarp repairs. tree branchs etc. its a steel trailer so most of it is already rusty and the conestoga part doesn't operate very good.. the locking mechanisms and hinges are not very easy to operate. most days I wish I just had a normal flatbed.. heres my biggest issue... regular 4 inch straps with flat hooks cant hook up to the inside frame rail because its to big and the hook doesn't bite onto it.. so my company cut the hooks off the straps and they run the straps from winch to winch on each side. its very time consuming and frustrating. will a diffirent type of strap hook work?
Holy smokes that sounds like more trouble than it's worth. Winch to winch sounds horrible. If your getting payed by the hour to secure your load than I guess that's on them. They will pay you more to monkey with it than just getting a better trailer. If your only getting paid for miles then personally I would definitely have a conversation with the boss.
I forgot to answer your question. I don't think other hooks will fit between the rub rail.
A paddle groove works for me , i carry my strap winder and run the strap bottom to top through the rub rail, Then reroll and toss to the other side. Still time consuming but not to bad.
I personally prefer winch to winch as its better securement and ensures that the freight doesn’t shift and obstruct the tarp system. That being said, ketadyne hook straps fit through our rub rail gaskets and secure to the frame just fine. Ours is a retinour
Not to be mean but sounds like you have a junk trailer or someone don't know what there doing. As far as straps u can use chain straps or flatten down your hooks with a hammer. Normally u can still use flat hooks if u only have ratchets on one side or use j hooks. The ratchet track gets in the way of hooking to the frame
Hello Teddy
Excellent video. But definitely not for me. I make the same kind of money not doing all this extra work, especially on freezing winter days. Much respect to anyone that does this.
Information is good to know but the cameraman leaves a lot to be desired for a how to video.
the easr conestogas are waaaay less complicated than this
gotcha
I don’t get car sick but I was about to puke how much you use the zoom.
I see nothing here but a nightmare. Frozen tracks in the winter, spending lots of time with a screwdriver and a hammer chipping off ice. Velcro covered in ice making it useless. Way too many moving parts. One hit from a forklift and that's it. It's useless. A nightmare to change the track.
Got me?
I Run the same set up only more moving parts because its on a step. Your correct it has alot of moving part and yes they are vulnerable, Ive been through 4 seasons in the midwest, i use a stiff bristle brush for ice and slush and yes there is some, in the real world i prefer anything over tarping a high load in the wind with frozen tarps.
In a perfect world I think a curtain side is better But for mid loads and coils i would prefer an old school side kit.
A few tips bungee the roll up bar, It hurts alot when it hits you. Put a rubber piece across the top of the front door its razor sharp and hurts when your in a hurry!
It's amazing how many ppl just don't wash. If u washed now and then most of the ice hassle would be taken care of. Good lord. What works for someone else may not work for you. To each their own. Everyone's doing essentially the same job. Moving freight across America.
It's a ridiculous system. Over engineered and over complicated. High winds, hopeless fork lift drivers and a tired driver have a lot of scope for inflicting damage to this set up. A European style curtain side trailer is far less complicated and user friendly.
Not really I use one every day this video makes it seem alot harder than it is my kit can be open in less than 30 seconds.if you ever use one and it's not ragged out lol then you would not want to go back to a open or covered wagon. Next time u see a nice kit have the driver show you how it works in real time
Been doing this for years now and it’s the only reason I am still driving a truck. Did the open flatbed before the conestoga and I still have nightmares because of the 8ft tarps. Yes you need to be careful with it but when you drive a flatbed you need to know what the fk You do no matter what!