tiggz ,sounds like you got the straps with buttons on type
we got some new trailers where you don`t undo any straps,their connected under the trailer to a track ,the only straps you can see are for pulling the curtain,just release the tensioner and poles at each end and pull
PITA they are,specially when the track is full of grit and muck
Dave
And as the question is about curtain siders. Dont do as the French driver yesterday did.
The curtains are made of pvc, the straps are thin webbing fabric and they are supported by a thin aluminium cant rail.
How does this support 500kg steel coils on stillages■■?
A brand new trailer with 5 holes in the curtain. After he lost part of his load, he got it straightened up and got the trailer resealed 
Still not a strap in sight when i collected it in Poole!
Curtainsiders are not a load restraint system 
Well today I was presented with an 18t curtainsider, after all the good advice on here and a little run down from another driver in the yard before setting off I got on fine. Had to load 13 pallets at a collection after I’d done the drops, it filled the thing right up, so I had to undo both sides completely, move them about and then do it all up again.
Thanks to all. 
as robk says in one of his threads on this subject straps coming loose on new curtains,well as you’s all know dhl are now big yellow trl’s.they don’t have any roof supports,and everytime your at a delivery/collection point and you open just enough curtain to get the frt in/out, after you close and tighten them strapps up you have to continue down the curtain and re-tighten every strap.and if your running they tend to loosen as well.bit of a pain if the tir cord is on.this means you got to take all that off tighten curtain then redo the tir cord,provided you got another seal. 
OK Andy. Now you have opened the curtains it’s time to go and remove all the black greace from underarms ! 
Wheel Nuts: Any idea where this French trailer was loaded ?
■■
Jo