There are many reasons to choose a curtainsider rather than any other type of truck. But whether you are influenced by the practicality of such a vehicle or the cost-effectiveness it brings, buying a model from MAN makes sense in all situations.
There are many reasons to choose a curtainsider rather than any other type of truck. But whether you are influenced by the practicality of such a vehicle or the cost-effectiveness it brings, buying a model from MAN makes sense in all situations. This manufacturer makes curtainsiders ranging in length from 20 to 30 feet as well as spanning weight categories from 7.5 to 26 tonnes.
MAN vehicles are also very resilient, allowing used examples to retain full functionality even with protracted use. Just make sure that a second-hand curtainsider has been well maintained, and you will be set to reap the benefits.
Curtainsiders are all about offering comfort and convenience for the driver or distribution team, allowing them to be more productive on a route and cut down on the amount of time it takes them to load and unload goods from the body. So to that end, you can find MAN models of all sizes which come equipped with components to facilitate this process.
It is not unusual to encounter used units with built-in tail lifts, although obviously the capabilities will vary with each model. You need to look at the amount of weight a tail lift can handle to determine its usefulness. Smaller MAN curtainsiders, such as those in the TGL range, tend to come with tail lifts that have a one-tonne capacity, while larger models can cope with 1.5 tonnes or more without being compromised.
The capacity of the tail lift is not the only element to consider when buying a used MAN curtainsider, as you will also need to look at the type of cab that is included. These trucks are not necessarily designed for long-haul use - hence the common availability of day cabs on the more compact models, with sleeper cabs reserved for the units with the more capacious bodies and 6x2 axle set-ups.
Even the day cabs are well appointed and built to a good specification, with things such as electric windows and mirrors, CD players and a range of other features present across many MAN models. An automatic gearbox and cruise control can also be found on curtainsider trucks, meaning that they are good for both stop-start urban driving as well as longer motorway trips.
MAN has chosen to upgrade its engines regularly over the years, so each used curtainsider will likely be endowed with the most efficient power plant that was available at the time of its manufacture. Euro III, IV and V engines find a home in various trucks from this firm, and it is simply a case of selecting the model that has the kind of power and fuel consumption figures that you want to see on a truck of this type. The 18-tonne TGM and 26-tonne TGS models can help you to expand the area over which your distribution operations span, and with the right information to hand you can pick a used MAN curtainsider for your operations with confidence in the fact that it will be a reliable workhorse.