Tautliner and Curtainsider Transport in Spain
Grúas y Transportes MAVI is a haulage company based in Vila-real (Castellón, Spain) that moves palletised and general cargo in tautliner (curtainsider) semi-trailers throughout Spain. The sliding curtains open along the whole side, so your goods can be loaded from either side or from above, and they travel strapped down and protected from the weather. Full loads of up to 33 euro pallets or groupage for smaller quantities, with a fixed quote.
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What is a tautliner (curtainsider)?
A tautliner, or curtainsider, is a semi-trailer with a rigid floor and roof and tensioned curtains on the sides instead of fixed walls. The curtains slide open along their full length, so a forklift can reach any pallet from the side without moving the rest of the load, and on many trailers the roof can also be opened for top loading by crane.
Once closed and tensioned, the curtains protect the goods from rain, wind and dust. That combination of fast side access and weather protection makes the tautliner the most versatile trailer for palletised freight.
Palletised freight transport
We move pallets, euro pallets, boxes, cages and big bags by tautliner: the most versatile solution for standard palletised goods. A standard 13.6-metre tautliner takes up to 33 euro pallets in a full load, with the goods protected from rain, wind and dust for the whole journey.
Fast, efficient side loading and unloading
The sliding curtains allow loading and unloading from the sides and from above with a forklift, reaching any pallet without moving the others. That means less time at the dock for you and your customers, and the option to load at sites without a loading bay.
Full loads and pallet groupage
Whether you need a full truck or only have a few pallets, we have a solution: full loads (FTL) for large shipments and groupage for smaller quantities, where your pallets share the trailer with other shipments and you pay only for the space you use.
Tautliner or box trailer: which is better for your goods?
A box (closed) trailer can only be loaded from the rear doors, usually at a loading bay. A tautliner can be loaded from the sides and the top as well, which is faster and works for long or awkward items that won't go through a rear door. For most palletised and general cargo that doesn't need temperature control, the tautliner is the more flexible and economical choice.
Goods we move by tautliner
• Ceramic tiles and sanitary ware from the Castellón ceramic cluster.
• Building materials: cement, mortar, bricks, insulation, pipes.
• Beverages and dry food on pallets.
• Steel coils and metal products (with the appropriate restraint).
• Industrial goods and machinery parts.
• Agricultural products and bagged goods.
• General palletised goods for distribution and FMCG.
Secure loads, strapped and protected
A curtain alone does not hold a load. Every shipment is secured with straps, bars or other restraint systems in line with EN 12195-1, chosen for the type of goods, so the load stays in place under braking, cornering and acceleration and arrives exactly as it left.
Tautliner transport from Castellón across Spain
Our base is on an industrial estate in Vila-real (Castellón), a few minutes from the Port of Castellón and half an hour from the Port of Valencia, right on the AP-7 and A-7 Mediterranean corridor. We serve the whole Valencian Community and run routes to anywhere in mainland Spain.
Areas we work in most often: Castellón de la Plana, Vila-real, Almazora, Onda, Alcora, Nules, Burriana, La Vall d'Uixó, Sagunto, Valencia and the industrial estates along the Mediterranean corridor.
Transport for the Castellón ceramic industry
Vila-real, Onda, Alcora and Nules form Europe's leading ceramic tile cluster, and the Port of Castellón is its sea gateway: around a third of the port's traffic is linked to the ceramic sector. Tiles and sanitary ware are heavy, fragile and almost always palletised, which makes the tautliner the natural vehicle for them.
We move ceramic pallets between factories, warehouses and the port, and to customers anywhere in Spain, with the load distributed and strapped to protect both the goods and the axle weights.
What we need to quote your pallet transport
• Number of pallets and their size (euro pallet 1.2 x 0.8 m, industrial pallet 1.2 x 1.0 m, other).
• Total weight and, if possible, weight per pallet.
• Whether pallets can be stacked.
• Collection and delivery addresses, and whether there is a loading dock or forklift at each end.
• Type of goods and any special handling (fragile, long items, top loading by crane).
• Planned date and whether it is a one-off shipment or a regular route.
Why ship your goods with MAVI
• Our own fleet of tautliner semi-trailers in excellent condition.
• Drivers experienced in load restraint and curtainsider operations.
• More than 20 years in special and industrial transport, including services for the Spanish Ministry of Defence.
• Based in Vila-real, next to the ports of Castellón and Valencia.
• One point of contact from quote to delivery.
• A fixed, no-obligation quote based on the real details of your job.
Get a quote for your tautliner transport
The price depends on the number of pallets, the weight, the origin and the destination. Tell us what you need to move and we will prepare a fixed, no-obligation quote.
Call us on +34 964 534 074 or email trafico@transmavi.es. You can also use the form on this page and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Tautliner transport: frequently asked questions
What is a tautliner?
A tautliner, or curtainsider, is a semi-trailer with sliding curtains on the sides instead of fixed walls. The curtains open along the full length for loading by forklift from either side or by crane from above, and protect the goods from the weather when closed.
How many pallets fit on a tautliner?
A standard 13.6-metre tautliner semi-trailer takes up to 33 euro pallets (1.2 x 0.8 m) in a full load. The exact number depends on the pallet size and the weight of the goods.
What goods are transported in a tautliner?
It is ideal for palletised goods, building materials, ceramic tiles, beverages, coils and bulky loads that benefit from side loading and unloading.
What is the advantage of a curtainsider over a box trailer?
It can be loaded and unloaded from the sides and from above, which speeds up forklift or crane work and allows loading without a dock, while still protecting the goods from the weather.
Do you offer groupage or only full loads?
Both. We offer full truck loads for large shipments and pallet groupage for smaller quantities, so you only pay for the space you use.
Is the load secured and insured?
Yes. We secure every load with restraint systems in line with EN 12195-1 and the goods are insured for the whole journey.
Which areas do you cover?
We operate from Castellón, Spain, throughout the Valencian Community and run national routes to anywhere in mainland Spain.
How do I get a quote?
Tell us the number of pallets, the weight, the origin and the destination using the form on this page or by calling +34 964 534 074, and we will send you a fixed, no-obligation quote.
Can you collect containers or goods from the Port of Castellón?
Yes. Our base in Vila-real is a few minutes from the Port of Castellón and half an hour from the Port of Valencia. We move palletised goods between the ports, factories and warehouses.
Can you carry long items in a tautliner?
Yes, within the length of the trailer. Because the curtains open along the full side, long items can be loaded from the side by forklift or from above by crane. For loads that are longer or wider than the trailer, a flatbed or special transport is the right option.