Used 2013 Curtainside Trailers For Sale

A used 2013 curtainside trailer is a practical middle ground between a dry van and a flatbed. It gives you weather protection and faster side loading without the repeated labor of manual tarping. In this model year, many buyers will be looking at 48-foot by 102-inch trailers with air ride suspension, aluminum construction, and rolling tarp systems such as Conestoga-style or similar side-curtain enclosures. These trailers are commonly used for building products, palletized freight, metal products, machinery, and other cargo that benefits from open side access but still needs to stay protected in transit.

The first buying decision is usually the base trailer under the curtain system. Many 2013 units in this category started as aluminum flatbeds fitted with a rolling enclosure, so deck condition matters as much as the tarp hardware. Check floor wear, crossmember spacing, side rail condition, and tiedown equipment such as winch tracks, chain racks, pipe spools, hooks, and coil package components. A 30-inch kingpin setting, 10-foot-plus suspension spread, Hendrickson or similar air ride suspensions, aluminum wheels, and low-profile 24.5 tires are all common specs in this age range. If you haul concentrated loads, beam rating and coil package details deserve close attention.

On a 2013 curtainside, the enclosure system itself needs a careful inspection. Look at bow alignment, roller travel, rear roll operation, tarp fabric condition, curtain tension, latch points, and any repairs around stress areas. Water intrusion usually shows up first around seams, rear closures, and worn roller tracks. If the trailer uses a Conestoga-style sliding tarp rather than a true curtainsider body with movable side curtains, confirm the inside height and width still fit your freight profile. Bulkhead strength, interior clearance, and ease of loading by forklift from the side are what separate a useful unit from one that slows down the dock.

Used 2013 curtainside trailers can still be strong earners when the structure is sound and the tarp system operates smoothly. Aluminum builds help control empty weight and corrosion, but buyers should still inspect for fatigue around landing gear mounts, suspension hangers, rear frame sections, and high-stress tiedown points. Maintenance history on brakes, bushings, airbags, hubs, and tires matters just as much as curtain appearance. For fleets moving jobsite materials, crated freight, or weather-sensitive open-deck loads, this trailer category remains a smart option because it combines cargo protection, loading flexibility, and flatbed-style accessibility in one platform.