Chameleon Tarp Systems

They are commonly called rolling tarp systems or Conestoga’s after the cover wagons that pioneers used to migrate out west and one popular brand of them. There are lots of posts on here about them.

Probably the most popular brands are the Quick Draw, the Fasttrack 2, and the Conestoga 2.

Yes, they can limit your ability to take any overwidth loads and loads that are higher then the tarp system is. The Fasttrack tarp system has a run open option that will allow you to take oversized loads though. Other brands may have a similar option.

 

If you don't run oversize then no problem. How much of your 2014 freight was oversize? You can figure how much revenue you will lose going with a rolling tarp.
If I was doing regular flat loads I wouldn't hesitate to put one of these on my trailer. I think the US will follow Europe's lead and mandate rolling tarps in the future.

 

We love our Roll Tite system! I will never pull anything again without one!

 

There are plenty of legal loads that won't fit in a Conestoga. Good luck getting anything over 100" wide inside some of them. You have to be pretty bold to trust a forklift operator to load anything over 45' long into them, since when opened, they still cover a few feet of deck, so long pieces have to be swung in under the tarp.

 

One would be nice if you haul a lot of tarp loads BUT I have seen many loads listed in the e-mail load list I get that are not oversize but forbid the use of them.

Just this week I received an e-mail concerning a load of railroad ties which said NO conestogas or sliding tarp trailers.


Don't know why. Maybe they have damaged one in the past and don't want to chance it again?

 

Most advertize a full 102” capacity as the taping system can be wider the 102” and still be league. I know that the Fasttrak system says it has a 104” standard width and comes in 7’3” or 8’2” standard heights and you can order custom heights up to 13’6”.

Fasttrack offers a Max-Width kit that allows for up to 104” inside width if the standard width is not enough

The Fastrack system also has a run-open package that allows you to lock the tarp in the open position while driving allowing for any oversize freight.

All their options can be seen at http://www.fastraktarps.com/fastrak-upgrade-options/. Other manufactures may offer similar add-on's.

 

I'll argue that, on our QuickDraw systems we can actually load freight 103" wide and still get them to close just fine. Ours are all 108" outside since the law allows for tarping systems to extend beyond the 102".

As for loading longer freight, again not an issue, roll the tarp to the front, have the forklift line up behind it then back up with the truck to get the load inside the front.