Key takeaways
| Factor | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Unrated curtains | Restrain nothing. You must secure the load as if the curtains were not there. |
| Load-rated curtains | Give certified sideways restraint only, up to their rated capacity. |
| Front and rear | Forward and rearward restraint must still be handled separately, even with rated curtains. |
| The rating label | A rated curtain carries a label showing its certified capacity and conditions. |
| Why it matters | Getting this wrong means an unrestrained load and a Chain of Responsibility breach. |
Why the curtain type is a compliance decision, not a trim choice
When you buy a curtainsider, the single most misunderstood question is whether the curtains restrain the load. Many buyers assume any curtain holds the freight in. It does not. Whether the curtains are rated or unrated changes what you are legally responsible for on every run.
Unrated curtains keep out weather and dust and let you load from the side, but they provide no load restraint. Load-rated curtains are certified to provide sideways restraint, but only up to a stated capacity and only sideways. This is a current focus area, with the Load Restraint Guide 2025 adding case studies specifically on load-rated side curtains. For the full range of models and specs, see our curtainsider buying guide.
Rated vs unrated curtains: side by side
| Factor | Unrated curtains | Load-rated curtains |
|---|---|---|
| Load restraint | None | Certified sideways only |
| Main purpose | Weather and dust protection | Part of a certified restraint system |
| Build | Standard vinyl | Reinforced tracks, rollers and fittings |
| Rating label | None | Shows pallet capacity and conditions |
| Extra restraint needed | Full restraint by other means | Front and rear, plus over-rating loads |
Unrated curtains suit you only if you restrain the load fully another way: they are cheaper, but every load must be secured as though the curtains do not exist.
Load-rated curtains suit you if you want the curtains to do part of the restraint job: they give certified sideways restraint up to their rating, which can speed loading, but you still secure front and rear separately.
Australian compliance points
- Unrated curtains provide no load restraint, so loads must be secured as if the curtains were not fitted.
- Load-rated curtains provide sideways restraint only, up to their certified rating, and carry a label confirming it.
- Forward and rearward restraint must always be controlled separately, even with rated curtains.
- The Load Restraint Guide 2025 sets the national performance standards, with case studies covering rated curtains.
- Under Chain of Responsibility rules, the driver and others in the supply chain can be liable for restraint breaches.
What to check and ask before you get quotes
| What to check | What to ask the supplier |
|---|---|
| Curtain type | Are these load-rated curtains or unrated, and is it confirmed in writing? |
| Rating label | If rated, what is the certified capacity and what conditions apply? |
| How it is rated | Is the rating per pallet, per pallet space or total payload? |
| System fit | Are the headboard and tailboard rated to work with the curtains? |
| Front and rear | What handles forward and rearward restraint on this setup? |
| Track and fittings | Are the tracks, rollers and fittings in good condition on a used unit? |
| Your freight | Does the rating suit the weight and type of freight I carry? |
| Independent check | Can I get my own inspection before I commit? |
Once you know the curtain type and rating, get quotes for curtainsider trucks from a few suppliers so you can compare like for like.
Frequently asked questions
Do curtainsider curtains hold the load in?
Only if they are load-rated, and even then only sideways. Unrated curtains provide no load restraint at all, so the load must be secured as if the curtains were not there. Always confirm which type a truck has before you buy.
What is the difference between rated and unrated curtains?
Unrated curtains protect the load from weather and dust but do not restrain it. Load-rated curtains are certified to provide sideways restraint up to a stated capacity, with reinforced tracks and fittings and a label showing the rating.
If I buy rated curtains, is my load fully restrained?
No. Rated curtains handle sideways restraint only, up to their rating. Forward and rearward restraint must still be controlled separately for the load to be considered fully restrained.
How do I know if a curtain is rated?
A load-rated curtain carries a label or sticker showing its certified rating, including pallet capacity, load type and any conditions. If there is no label and the supplier cannot confirm a rating in writing, treat the curtains as unrated. For how curtain and restraint options affect cost, see our curtainsider price guide.
Who is responsible if the load is not restrained?
Under Chain of Responsibility rules, the driver and potentially others in the supply chain can be held liable for restraint breaches. That is why knowing the curtain type and securing the load correctly matters from the moment you buy.
What matters most
- Unrated curtains restrain nothing; rated curtains restrain sideways only.
- Confirm the curtain type and rating in writing before you buy.
- Front and rear restraint is always handled separately.
- Check the rating label for capacity and conditions.
- Getting it wrong is a Chain of Responsibility breach, not just a paperwork issue.
Get and compare curtainsider truck quotes now from verified Australian suppliers, with the curtain type and rating confirmed up front.
