Im looking for tips on dealing with tarps

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Glimmer, Jan 26, 2012.

  1. Glimmer

    Glimmer Light Load Member

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    Jan 17, 2012
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    I drove OTR for a year pulling a dry box and it was ok except for the odd hours delivering at Sams Club and grocery warehouses (they ####) but unfortunately I had to come off the road for a while for personal reasons. Due to the lack of work in my area im thinking about OTR again, flatbed this time.
    Im a skinny guy 135lbs but always open for new challenges and was wondering if anyone had some good tips for dealing with tarps.
    Ive always wondered how you guys or gals deal with untarping frozen tarps that have ice build-up on them and tips on dealing with tarps (tarping/untarping/folding) in the high winds. Any advice will be appreciated.
     
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  3. Hobo Driver

    Hobo Driver Bobtail Member

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    Dear Mr Glimmer!
    Glad to hear that you are not allergic to tarps. It would be hard for me to explain how to fold em on here. Just don't be afraid of them and just use common sense. One thing that I don't do is try to stuff frozen tarps into boxes, I just deck them and deal with em together with the load. Most forklift drivers will assist with this. To fold them: spread them out with as few wrinkles as possible, fold the flap in onto the body of the tarp, take the outside edges to the center of the tarp, smooth out wrinkles, now take the outside edges again to the center, now take and flop 1/2 of the tarp over onto the other 1/2, now take the tail end and drag it onto the tarp and up to the flap end leaving about 16" showing, now roll up from the double end, secure the roll with two or more rubber snubbers. You will get the hang of it. Keep your mind open to whatever works best for you. Don't be afraid to ask for advice. Watch how other flatbedders do it....... I tarp a 45' flat bed quite a lot. It is hard work but rewarding.
     
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  4. truck675

    truck675 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 26, 2012
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    I agree with Nailbender. another tip is to make sure you cover the edges of whatever you are tarping to prevent the wind from rubbing holes in the tarps as you go down the road. pay attention to how you secure the tarp and as he said keep your mind open to new ideas and ways to tarp.
    Good luck and safe travels
     
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  5. Glimmer

    Glimmer Light Load Member

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    I appreciate the input Nailbender. Im already a notch up on the tarps now. I read that "most" flatbedders would be happy to give advice if asked or even lend a hand to help out. I hope that is true because Im sure I'll have to ask for some one day. I have total respect for you flatbedders and the work you do. Thanks.
     
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  6. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    Tips in high wind: LET GO! If a tarp starts to sky you, let go when you're a foot off the ground instead of waiting until that sucker puts the hurt on you! You'll learn how to deal with the wind so that doesn't happen, but if it does, don't ride it out.

    If it's extremely windy, I used to always put my trailer to the breeze to do the back half, and flipped around to do the front. And always tried to find a way not to tarp it before that!:biggrin_25522:
     
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  7. Glimmer

    Glimmer Light Load Member

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    Thats great advice Hammer. I'll remember that. Being the skinny guy that I am, I dont need to be scrapp'n with a lumber tarp in high winds or any tarp in high winds as far as that goes. I would have to lay down and play dead. :biggrin_2552:
     
  8. lowjo

    lowjo Light Load Member

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    Nov 19, 2009
    arkansas
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    Yeah,everyone has their own way of doing things. Bleach helps.
     
  9. lowjo

    lowjo Light Load Member

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    Nov 19, 2009
    arkansas
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    It was windy out today,it came off the load easy. To fold it,what I did was hook two ends to the rub rail,and a wench bar and pipe stake to hold it on the ground,then fold ensue folding the tarp
     
  10. SHC

    SHC Spoiled Rotten Brat O/O

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    Keep your tarps inside a box. if you run with them strapped to your catwalk or the trailer then expect to spend some time trying to get them unfrozen. I keep 1 in my sidebox of the truck and the other fits inside my headache rack. When I get home for a weekend I have been laying them out opened in the garage if they got wet to dry them out. Tho I have a 4 car garage and it's heated
     
  11. Semi Crazy

    Semi Crazy Road Train Member

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    You fold frozen tarps the same way you would fold a 26' x 16' sheet of hard plastic!
     
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