Barn Doors or Roll Up Door???

**TeamCaffee** · 03-14-2007, 09:59 AM

We have barn doors and our next truck will have barn doors. We also have a problem with them wanting to come unlatched and swing when moving. Bob has devised a tarp strap that he always uses on the doors to keep them open. We have been given loads because our opening was large enough to handle the freight where a truck with a rollup door lost the freight. We have only had a forklift one time get into the box before Bob had the legs down.

**x06col** · 03-14-2007, 03:48 PM

Don't let these guys confuse you about loosing freight to a height or width issue. Some seem to feel they have lost only a load or two. Unfortuneately, thats a load or two, THAT THEY KNOW OF. I'm convinced many loads go on tractors that are a little too tall or, wide.

**TeamCaffee** · 03-14-2007, 05:41 PM

LOL x06col You are right about height and width. The barn door opening though is smaller then our opening. We have had a couple of instances where we needed every inch we could get. We have a philosophy, have every thing you can so you will have the most opportunities for more freight.

**jaminjim** · 03-14-2007, 05:59 PM

I have never figured out why they make our boxes shorter and narrower than a trailer. As many of us that are out here, you would think someone would make the size we need. There would be nothing hard about it.

**x06col** · 03-14-2007, 06:24 PM

Nothin hard about it. Require what you want, not, what the salesman "thinks" you need or wants to sell you. I see it everyday.
That five hundred bucks they are telling they are saving you, could cost you fifty grand over the life of the truck.

**LDB** · 03-14-2007, 09:25 PM

Well, since my roll up door box is the same height as a 53' trailer and has a wider door opening than any standard barn door expediter truck I'm comfortable saying it's only lost a load or two to height issues and none to width issues, compared to any other expediter box.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

**x06col** · 03-14-2007, 10:07 PM

I'm assuming then (bad to assume) that you are 110 tall and 98 wide.
right? If so, i'm impressed with your requirements for your equipment.

**x06col** · 03-14-2007, 10:19 PM

Also Leo, "compared to other expediter boxes" tsh,tsh. We should be trying to inform and improve rather than compare and equal.And, We really don't need any more good used trucks on the market with matchboxes for cargo area. If they have the proper tools, then only the 80%ers have to worry about resale.

**LDB** · 03-14-2007, 10:35 PM

No, as I said, I may have lost a height load. That box is 108" high. The roll up door has a 97.6" wide opening and inside width is something like 100 I think. My main point is that width doesn't have to be an issue with roll up doors and height can be equal to the height of a barn door box if spec'd right.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

**x06col** · 03-14-2007, 10:46 PM

Amen, Leo

**jeffman164** · 03-19-2007, 04:55 PM

Never thought about putting a losd bar there to prevent forklift entering early - good idea. I always have doors locked so they never open by accident.