ALCS® Hard Top Soft Side Curtain System for Drop Deck Trailers


Load Covering Solutions engineers and manufactures its own ALCS Side Curtain Systems and knows when to recommend it over its own LCS selection of rolling, retractable tarp systems. When you dock load like a van, side unload like a flatbed and overhead excess is not required, then an ALCS Side Curtain System on your flatbed trailer is the perfect solution for your transportation needs.

Most common industries electing to use Side Curtain Systems:
• Building & Construction Materials; Lumber / Dry Wall / Windows / Doors / Molding & Trim
• Compressed Gases
• Sensitive Field Equipment, Mobile Command Centers
• Mobile Water & Sewer Treatment Plants.

Side Curtain Advantages to Consider:

• Less mechanical working parts then a rolling tarp system, leading to much lower maintenance cost & down time.
• Longer life expectancy with less replacement parts required to keep system in service.
• The curtains will outlast a rolling tarp by 1-1/2 times.
• Never worry about exposing the entire load during inclement weather.
• Gain quick and easy access from front or rear of one side at a time or through the rear doors.

FRONT BULKHEADS & TENSIONING

FRONT BULKHEAD
ALCS offers two designs of front bulkheads best suited for specific types of trailers. All semi- trailers come with a chamfered forward mount bulkhead sitting exterior and ahead of the trailer sill allowing side load access directly flush to the front of the trailer. No trailer corner cut out modifications required making installation quick & easy. An optional Flat Square bulkhead is available but is typically recommended for Truck Bodies and Non-Semi Trailer requirements. Constructed with a Heavy-Duty Steel Frame and finished in a Hot Dipped Galvanized coating to prevent corrosion, with a 1" FRP Insert Panel available standard in white or black gelcoat. All bulkheads are bolted on and can be easily replaced if damaged.

If you need a temperature control side curtain system, the ALCS bulkhead will accommodate a forward mounted heating unit combined with custom insulated curtains to maintain a consistent temperature in harsh winters.

FRONT TENSIONING MECHANISM:
LCS uses only top UK manufactured components. We know the importance of a front tensioner that is quick and easy to operate while delivering the aggressive ratcheting required to apply maximum horizontal side curtain tensioning. Bolt on for easy replacement with grease nipple to ensure your mechanism is always functioning correctly.

REAR FRAMES & TENSIONING

REAR FRAMES:
Constructed with a Heavy-Duty 6" Structural Steel Channel Frame and finished in a Hot Dipped Galvanized coating to prevent corrosion with three options available to enclose the rear end of an ALCS Side Curtain System. All our frames are bolted on through the top, side and rear sill and can be removed and replaced if damaged quickly.

TRAILER MODIFICATIONS: ALCS frames typically do not require trailer corner cut outs if your trailer comes with standard pockets & rub rail. However, on some occasions like when a full width 102" trailer side rail exists without exterior pockets and rub rail, trailer cut out modifications are required at the rear in order to allow the ALCS 6" channel frame to fit. Once the trailer side rail & rear sill are cut & separated LCS provides a H.D. custom fitting combination corner bracket & support gusset that welds and reconnects the rear trailer sill to the side rail. If this is not done correctly you will have long term rear corner trailer and frame stress issues over time.

REAR TENSIONING RELEASE MECHANISM - Optional:
All curtain side systems rear curtain pole is anchored at the rear channel frame and access to the interior trailer from the side is only available once the front tensioner and curtains buckles are released. With the same ALCS ratchet tensioner as the front located at the rear, you can quickly side access the rear side of the trailer interior without disturbing the front.

SIDE CURTAIN ROOF

ALUMINUM SIDE CURTAIN ROOF:
ALCS roof is an all aluminum construction starting with an .040 aluminum exterior roof skin, aluminum 1" arched I-Beam roof bows spaced on 24" centers & ALCS captive combined side rail and roller track. As well, additional roof bows are installed and spaced at 16" centers in the 1st 8ft of the front and the last 4ft of the rear to provide additional support where air turbulence is more concentrated.

TRANSLUCENT SIDE CURTAIN ROOF:
ALCS offers a white translucent roof construction in lieu of the traditional aluminum roof with our STD aluminum 1" arched I-Beam roof bows spaced on 24" centers & ALCS captive combined side rail and roller track. As well, additional roof bows are installed as required and spaced at 16" centers in the 1st 8ft of the front and the last 4ft of the rear to provide additional support where air turbulence is more concentrated.

Q: What is the Advantage?

A: Illuminates the truck bodies interior, eliminating interior lights & reduces interior curtain damage while loading from the rear doors. Its more robust reducing roof skin damage from overhead trees, doors or flying debris. For the minimal extra cost, consider it on your next ALCS Side Curtain Drop Deck System.

BREAKAWAY ROOF SUPPORT POSTS:
ALCS uses specifically removable roof support posts that breakaway easily to allow side loading and unloading access to the trailer load. On a 48ft trailer it is recommended to have 4 posts, 2 per each side, while on a 53ft 6 post, 3 per side. Typical posts weigh 22lbs and slip into an upper pocket inside the roof rail and a lower pocket set inside the stake pockets with a 1" hole or slot. It is recommended to only remove one roof post at a time allowing typically 27ft - 32ft clear span opening to load. Failure to follow proper instructions will result into roof failure.

WARNING: By removing more posts then recommended or an entire side the roof can drop as much as 9" and roof support posts will no longer engage easily. Operators will need to call upon a forklift operator to lift the roof up inorder to reinsert the breakaway post and that can only lead to roof damage.

LCS has options available if Rolling Break Post are absolutely required, but beware, by making it easier to remove more posts then necessary your roof damage and system maintenance cost will increase.

SIDE CURTAIN CONSTRUCTION

SIDE CURTAIN CONSTRUCTION:
ALCS Side Curtains are design & engineered from world leading PVC tension fabric at a weight of 26.5 oz. per sq. yd. Tried & tested these fabrics have proven over decades to hold up in every world weather condition known. Its 2x2 Panama woven interior scrim with a 60/40 PVC coating & high gloss exterior urethane appearance provides structural tension while traveling open highways at high speeds. ALCS Combination hot air & dielectric fully welded contruction ensures structural strength, integrity and durability.

WARNING: Although in some world countries curtain sides are preceived as being load bearing in North America LCS mandates all loads need to be secured in accordance with Federal DOT regulations regardless of the robust structural integrity that a curtain side provides.

(Photo above) All ALCS STD., Curtains come with a horizontal PVC welded reinforcement strap, intersected with a series of vertical tension straps on 24" centers to provide the structural support & van-like smooth wall appearance.

(Photo above) Optional 2nd & 3rd PVC horizontal straps are commonly added to create a sectional "RIP STOP" for side damage like when tree branches come in contact on narrow roads, in hopes to minimize the length of tear to a curtain. BEWARE! These extra straps do take away from the exterior smooth wall appearance by being more visibly noticed and may not be recommended if promoting corporate advertising over the road. These extra straps in no way sacrifices any structural integrity of the curtains longevity or operation by not being present.

CURTAIN HARDWARE

BUCKLES & STRAPS:

What is the Importance of a Buckle & Strap?

A: It applies the maximum vertical tension to a curtain side wall after the curtain is tensioned horizontally from end to end.

ALCS curtains use only the highest quality tried & tested UK hardware that has proven to stand up to the longevity of the curtain and beyond. With many choices in hardware, the ALCS curtain keeps it simple and functional. Our stainless steel overcenter buckles have the least working parts elliminating spring loaded pinch points that DO NOT stand up to harsh NA weather conditions. Each strap has a polyester 2" wide lower strap with hook that latches under the trailer side rail allowing the buckle to apply maximum tension to the curtain.

CURTAIN ROLLERS:
ALCS Side Curtain uses a sealed ball bearing tapered roller combined with our captive aluminum extruded tapered roof rail & track for an EZ-Glide performance. Don't be fooled in thinking that all curtains roll easily because they don't. Most systems use a flat roller with or without bearings and a flat track rolling surface. These designs tend to make the sliding of a curtain cumbersome over time leaving the operator fighting with the curtains. With an ALCS side curtain, stand at one end and as fast as you can grab the exterior buckles pull the curtain towards you. Don't be surprised if it only takes you less then 1 minute to gain side access to your load on a 30ft truck body ALCS Side Curtain System.

BEWARE: Some curtain system designs have a two-part track that enables the curtain rolling track sections to be replaced once the extrusion wears out with constant rolling of flat rollers. With an ALCS Side Curtain, you will never have that problem.

OVER THE ROAD ADVERTISING

At LCS we believe in investing in the power of marketing and no better way to gain a Return On Your Capital Investment (ROI) with allocating advertising and marketing budgets over the road. Look to a load covering system to promote your corporate messaging and watch the capital investment SOON be quickly justified. NOTE: Everyone remembers a great looking billboard especially if it's driving beside you!

Note: Average Graphics Life Expectancy depending on the application is 7 years. Based on your original Capital Investment for an LCS Tarp System & amortized over 84 months, its costing you only $381.00 / month to promote your corporate messaging.

CUSTOM APPLICATIONS ARE STANDARD AT LCS

When you have a special custom requirement that seems like nobody will want to pay attention to your load covering needs, you contact the EXPERTS at LCS and we will make every attempt to take your vision for a customized trailer and put it on the road.

(Photo above) Step Deck Trailer w/ Monster Ramps and an ALCS Side Curtain System stopping short of the deck w/ crank up rear flap.

(Photo above) Custom Step Deck w/ curtain side access & hard side command station. "NOTE" - Trailer Top was built by customers body company while LCS integrated the side curtain design with the body builder to ensure the openings were ready to receive the curtains.

ALCS -HARD TOP /SOFT SIDE CURTAIN SYSTEMS FOR STEP DECK TRAILERS

Thank you for taking the time to visit our ALCS product pages and to familiarize yourself with a Load Covering Side Curtain System. I trust based on your load requirements you can make an informed decision by better understanding the differences between it and our many models of rolling tarp systems you can compare on our site. Feel free to contact our Load Covering Solutions technical sales experts to learn more about LCS and please continue to browse our indepth website.

ALCS - Alternate Load Covering Solution