Overview
The Fairborn Series 3500 is a pivot arm dock shelter built for docks where space is limited but performance can't be compromised. Similar to the Series 3000 but with tapered side curtains and foam bottom wedge pads instead of vertical fabric-covered foam bottom pads, the 3500 may be an alternate selection when space limitations or other considerations preclude a rigid frame dock shelter. The shelter stays in the extended position and uses spring tension to hold the curtains tight against the truck body upon vehicle entry.Barron Equipment has over 40 years of experience selling, installing, and maintaining loading dock equipment.
Features and Benefits
The Series 3500 uses the same pivot arm and 4-wheel trolley system as the Series 3000 — but with one key design difference. The side curtains taper from top to bottom rather than hanging straight down. This means less material pushing against the building wall and less horizontal space needed at the dock opening. It's a meaningful advantage when doors are close together or the dock area has other space constraints.
The Series 3500 includes a standard pull rope assembly to raise and lower the head curtain. This gives dock personnel direct control over the head curtain position — especially useful when servicing unusually tall trailers or when you need to quickly raise the curtain between trucks. The adjustable head curtain uses Touch and Hold patches for field repositioning, and the split outer cover with Touch and Hold closures conforms to a wide range of trailer profiles. If an inclined drive approach requires a greater than 3" differential in top and bottom projection, this series shelter is not suitable. Level and declined approaches work well.
Application
The Series 3500 fits docks that need the adjustability and greater projection depth of a pivot arm shelter but also face space restrictions that make a wider footprint impractical. The shelter is normally in the extended position and utilizes spring tension to hold the curtains tight to the truck body, while a split head curtain adds versatility for servicing a wide range of vehicles. It works well wherever the combination of tapered side curtains and an operator-controlled head curtain makes daily operations simpler. Here's where it performs best:
- Docks with Doors Spaced Close Together — The tapered curtain profile reduces lateral spread, making it possible to install the shelter in openings where a straight-hanging side curtain would crowd an adjacent door.
- Facilities with Varying Trailer Roof Heights — The standard pull rope assembly lets dock personnel raise or lower the head curtain manually without tools, accommodating a mix of trailer heights across shifts.
- Docks with Deeper Bumper Projections — Projection options of 15", 20", 25", and 30" handle docks where standard projection depths fall short of a proper seal.
- Climate-Controlled & Refrigerated Operations — Wedge-shaped foam bottom pads seal the lower corners at an angle, and the spring-tensioned side curtains maintain contact with the trailer body to minimize conditioned air loss.
- Level or Declined Drive Approaches — If an inclined drive requires greater than a 3" differential in top and bottom projection, this series shelter is not suitable. Level and declined approaches are well-suited for the 3500.
Selection Assistance
The Series 3500 is the right choice when you need the projection depth and adjustability of the 3000 series, but a smaller lateral footprint or an operator-controlled head curtain matters for your dock layout. For sizing: the shelter frame should project 14"–18" beyond the dock bumper. At a flush dock with a 6" bumper projection, the standard projection should be 20"–24" for a standard 11'6" wide shelter.The top of the shelter should be kept as close to 15'0" off grade as possible.Barron's team has been installing dock shelters for over 43 years and can replace old shelters or install new ones on openings that have never had a shelter before. Contact us for a sizing consultation