Improving Safety on Curtain-Side Trailers with RigCraftor

“We needed a ladder that was quick to use, safe for our drivers, and that wouldn’t interfere with the curtains or the load. This one checked all the boxes. ” 

At a glance

• Company: Nordik Lourd

• Specialty: Flatbed, step deck, curtain-side trailers, construction materials

• Challenge: High risk of slips and falls due to unsafe trailer access, compounded by the fact that existing ladders blocked curtain-side systems and couldn’t be used.

• Solution: RigCraftor Curtain-Side Trailer Ladder

• Results: Safer access for drivers, reduced fall risk, no interference with curtains or loads

The Challenges

Nordik Lourd operates in demanding conditions, hauling construction materials with flatbeds, step decks, and curtain-side trailers. One of the most overlooked risks in this environment is something drivers do every day: climbing up and down the trailer.

"When drivers don’t have proper points of contact, especially in winter conditions, the risk of slipping or falling is real."

Before RigCraftor, accessing the trailer was far from ideal. Drivers often had no real points of contact, limited visibility of the steps, and no secure handhold—especially dangerous in winter conditions when ice and snow come into play.

“When you’re climbing down, you can’t even see the steps,” Guillaume explains. “If it’s icy, that’s where things can go wrong fast.” For a company responsible for its drivers’ safety, this was a risk they could no longer ignore.

The Solution

Nordik Lourd needed a ladder that was safe, fast to deploy, and most importantly compatible with curtain-side trailers—without interfering with curtain operation or loading.

The RigCraftor Curtain-Side Trailer Ladder was designed specifically for that reality. When deployed, it doesn’t touch the trailer walls or side rails, and it allows the curtains to open and close freely. Even with a full load, the ladder can be installed at the rear without causing any obstruction.

It’s a simple, purpose-built solution that fits seamlessly into daily operations.

The Results

With the RigCraftor ladder in place, Nordik Lourd was able to:

• Provide safer access for drivers when climbing on and off curtain-side trailers

• Significantly reduce the risk of slips and falls, especially in icy conditions

• Maintain operational efficiency, with no impact on curtains or loading procedures

• Improve overall driver safety culture without slowing the job down

For Guillaume, this kind of equipment shouldn’t be optional. It’s a practical response to a real-world safety issue—and a clear example of how the right tools can protect drivers while keeping operations running smoothly.