• Some military vehicles use side curtains and covers.army truck image by Jan Zoetekouw from Fotolia.com
  
  Among the different types of trucks used to move cargo, a small percentage use side curtains and soft covers rather than solid metal or wooden sides. These trucks come in a variety of sizes and are suitable for many types of transport. While side curtains are less durable than hard sides, they still present several advantages that may be best for transporting certain payloads.
  
  

Protection

• Compared to an open flatbed truck, side curtains and covers protect the cargo while it is being moved. This can be important if the cargo isn't securely packaged as in the case of loose items. Side curtains are also useful in preventing damage to valuable cargo, such as a car or piece of construction equipment. Finally, the protection offered by side curtains and covers is important whenever the distance being traveled is long since it protects the cargo from the elements and exposure to the sun.
  
  

Security

• Side curtains and covers also offer a certain measure of security. They conceal the cargo on a truck, making it less appealing to would-be thieves. Side curtains and covers may also latch or lock shut, allowing the driver to leave the cargo unattended with some form of security that would be lacking if it was stored on the back of an open truck, exposed for all to see.
  
  

Access

• One of the biggest advantages of side curtains on trucks is the easy access they provide to the cargo. Rather than needing workers to unload a truck through a single opening at the back, the entire side of the truck can be opened, allowing quick access to more of the contents. This is especially important in military applications where trucks with side curtains are used to transport troops and weapons when time is of the essence.
  
  

Safety

• Side curtains offer an added benefit by preventing cargo from falling off the truck. Some side curtains feature a strong fabric mesh material on the inside, which can keep any loose cargo from falling onto roadways.