Conestoga Trailer Dimensions

When looking for a trailer, you want to know what makes one model better. With this in mind, a Conestoga trailer is one of the finest trailers on the market today.

Making it perfect for hauling your boat to the lake or transporting a load of firewood for your Saturday morning bonfire.

But what about Conestoga trailer dimensions and its unique features? If you are looking into this trailer and want to know more, we have covered this and many other aspects of Conestoga trailers in this guide.

What Is a Conestoga Trailer?

The Conestoga trailer is perfect for anyone that needs to load and transport large loads. The tarp-on-frame design makes it easy to get your cargo on and off the trailer while protecting it from the elements.

These trailers are also called curtainside trailers because of their retractable tarping system. In addition to this, the trailer’s unique features include its large length, width, and height capacity. Moreover, curtains cover the entire deck length of this trailer.

Conestoga flatbed frame trailers are best for people who expect to haul various materials and never be out of work. Whether you need to haul lumber or building materials, you can count on this mobile workshop to get the job done.

Being a trailer that gives versatility, these trailers are ideal for all sorts of industries, from CNC machinery, robotics, construction, and landscaping to vending and utility work.

Conestoga Trailer Dimensions

Although the trailer’s dimensions vary from one model to another, here’s a general idea of its size:

Conestoga trailer is a heavy-duty hauler famous for its incredible load capacity and versatility.

Thanks to its large size, this trailer can handle anything from tractor beams to heavy machinery. Therefore, it is the ideal choice for handling large freight loads in the most efficient way possible.

Conestoga Trailer Inside Dimensions

The inside measurements of a Conestoga curtain side trailer can vary from one model to the other. If you’re looking for a comparison, here’s a typical layout for all models of Conestogas:

Types of Conestoga Trailers

When transporting large freight, it’s important to ensure the load is secure and protected, which is one of the reasons why Conestoga trailers are so popular.

Their tarp system is built as part of every model design, allowing you to cover your load and retract it when necessary easily. It also makes loading and unloading easier because you can do both without removing tarps or wheels.

Conestoga trailers come in three types, adding to this hauler’s versatility. Each Conestoga trailer has many advantages and amenities that can be very helpful. They are perfect for accommodating every shipment, no matter how complex its specifications may be.

Flatbed Conestoga Trailers 

The Conestoga flatbed trailer is a versatile multi-use cargo trailer that you can use for various applications.

Mostly, freighters use it to move open deck commodities like a traditional flatbed trailer. However, those commodities are larger and heavier in size.

This popular flatbed is 48- or 53 ft in length, giving you plenty of space to accommodate whatever types of cargo you need to move.

The general dimensions of flatbed Conestoga trailers are as follows:

Step-Deck Conestoga Trailers 

These step-decks have a higher capacity than standard Conestogas, making them well-suited for hauling large items. With sealed floors and roomy interiors, these trucks are perfect for professional shippers looking for the best vehicle for their shipment.

With this being said, step-deck Conestogas are the ideal vehicle to transport high-value and large freighters that need protection from the elements.

These vehicles are perfect for transporting large equipment like helicopters, robotics, CNC machinery, and other high-value freighters that need secure delivery to their final destination.

The dimensions for both 48 ft and 53 ft step-deck Conestoga trailers are listed below:

Double Drop Conestoga Trailers 

Double Drop Conestogas are best for transporting all sorts of goods. However, they are especially useful for carrying heavy loads above 9 feet and 8 inches at their tallest point.

Due to this, they’re generally used to transport machinery and equipment weighing less than 36,000 lbs.

The dimensions of 48 feet double drop Conestoga trailer are as follows:

What Is the Difference Between a Dry Van Flatbed and a Conestoga Trailer?

Dry van trailers are the most popular type of 18 wheeler trailer and trucks because they can carry dry goods without them getting damaged by the elements, like rain and snow. Because of this, dry vans are generally at the top of the list regarding cargo safety.

The trailer design is mainly made up of a box, making all the venting and loading easy and safe for drivers, despite their heavy loads.

Unlike the typical truck, which has a soft shell, or a Conestoga trailer, which you can open, dry van trailers transport large loads like commercial and residential appliances.

In addition, the design of dry van trailers allows you to back them up to loading docks and then load and unload like that.

However, a dry van is not always the perfect choice for loading your freight. In contrast, the Conestoga trailer is often the better option, offering ease of access, a rolling tarp, and protection from the elements. Thus, you can buy a Conestoga trailer  knowing that your goods are safe and secure on their next trip.

Pros of Conestoga Trailers

1. Faster Deliveries 

Making sure your freight is secure and well-protected is crucial for a safe, successful journey. Because of this, when drivers know the goods are safe and well-monitored, they can drive faster and arrive at their destination quicker. Resulting in lower turnaround times and higher customer satisfaction.

2. More Versatile 

A shelter on top of your truck bed offers much more protection for your load. With this in mind, Conestoga’s wide variety of protective covers makes it easier to complete the job quickly and protect your load.

Moreover, it enables you to have complete unloading access to even some of the most complicated pieces of machinery.

3. Low Damage Risk 

Unlike regular trailers, the Conestoga trailer has a flexible wall system, which makes these trailers perfect for hauling unique items that need protection.

Furthermore, this type of trailer offers more options than a regular van, so it’s an economical alternative for those who don’t want to use a host of different platforms for specific loads.

4. Protection From Weather

Never fret about a little wind or rain with Conestoga’s tarping cover on your belongings. It’s perfect for protection against moisture, dirt, and debris damage – perfect for fragile products like furniture and artwork.

Cons of Conestoga Trailers

1. Higher Cost

Trailers such as a Conestoga will allow you to transport more equipment and have flexibility in loading other types of freight. However, this would require you to book additional work compared to other trailers.

In light of this, if  you can book enough additional work to pay for its extra cost, the trailer may be an option you should consider.

2. Limited Weight Capacity

Conestoga trailers have limited weight capacity; they can carry up to 45,000 pounds. It is even less than the weight capacity of most flatbed trailers, which is 48,000 pounds.

3. Limited Dimensional Capacity

Conestoga trailers have limited dimensional capacity, although they can haul larger equipment. Moreover, the retractable canvas limits the contents inside the trailer from exceeding the dimensions.

Conclusion

Conestoga trailers are versatile haulers famous for their curtainside design. Since they come in different sizes and models, the trailer dimensions vary, keeping the interior dimensions and maximum weight constant.

When you’re looking for a flatbed Conestoga trailer, measure the height and length of the cargo area to ensure that you have enough room for your cargo.

Flatbed Conestogas have a maximum interior height of 98″, ideal for larger items like equipment and machinery. However, it is not so great for bulky items like furniture or residential construction materials.

Meanwhile, drop deck trailers tend to hit 120″ or more in interior height—ideal for carrying large equipment and oversized loads. The maximum weight limit of these trailers is 45,000 lbs regarding freight weight.

The Conestoga trailer is ideal for the person who wants a versatile, low-risk option and an all-around supreme trailer to suit whatever needs you may have.