So the HSE has hinted you cannot do it the "old" way, what they advise then? You cannot have a roll over system because I presume you crane on the load?

If the top access is not needed then go to curtain siders. Or can you get a curtain sider with a curtain top?

J

Could you use the same type of cover that uses a pair of arms to lift the edge of the sheet away from the roller on the lengthwise models, but adapted to side mounting.

Does that make sense?

Ian

Putting the side to side suggestion from Clive H together with the front to back sheeting arrangements on tipper lorries how about having what amounts to a giant roller blind lying along and under one side of the trailer. Two power driven telescopic arms, one at each end of the trailer, pivoted on its centre line with a bar between to which the free end of the "blind" is attached could lift it over the load and down onto the other side whence the bar could be attached to the trailer. Rotating the roller would give basic tension supplemented by suitable fixed lashings to draw in the ends and pull down loose parts.

Obvious problems are needing a long, slender and therefore bendy bar to hold the free end of the sheet and arranging the lashings. Clearly some sort of loop or eye system would be needed to keep the lashings in place during deployment as clambering up to retrieve them would defeat the object. Likely to be heavy too.

Unlike Jeff I see nothing wrong with seeking information in a hobby forum. Its a good way of getting out of the box thoughts and ideas. The big gap between idea and device would naturally be filled by proper engineering. If there were an "in the box" concept floating around it would probably already be a commercial product.

Clive

agree with jeff would not like to put my name against any reccomondations can we please stick to ME surely the stuff you are carting around should have been painted/coated and by the look of what you are shipping will be subject to the environs anyway.

Bob

So HSE don't like it …………. WHAT SUGGESTIONS HAVE THEY COME UP WITH????

donhe7

Hi Wolfie,

I wondered how you filled your scrap bin…

Depending on what other loads you have to carry you might consider the trailers used by some of the big steel stockholders. It is a sliding scissor frame with a sheet fixed to it. You undo the catches and the whole frame scissors to the headboard giving both side and overhead access. There is a picture and description here:

**LINK**

Of course, you don't have to have the coil wells.

It is a lot easier than fully stripping a tilt trailer which I have done a lot of times! And then you have to put it all back together before you leave the steel works! Ask for a hand and all you got was slow hand clap. Grrr.

Andy

"You don't need MOT approval / certification to fit curtain sides or similar, they just need to be secure when the truck or rather trailer goes for test.

John S."

It is my understanding that if you build a rigid metal structure to support any sort of pullover cover or curtain, whether fixed to the truck permanently or temporarily, it must be MOT inspected with the trailer when completed. It is classed as a rebuild or major modification. I am not an expert on the current laws though.

My main concern was such a homebuilt structure coming off partly or fully at speed, aided by the sail action of a cover, maybe. This could cause a major accident and could trigger several lawsuits especially if injuries result.

JD

UK cannot, surely, be the only industialised country to be bogged down by the Hinder & Stop brigade? So How do they cope with this prob in say, Ozzie, USA, Canada etc? We copy the rest in so many other ways.

Get yourself a "driver's mate" and the two of you together could do it from ground level with a couple of poles (wooden – not eastern Europeans!).

Tongue-in -cheekily,
John