tarp help

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by wedge542, Jan 30, 2015.

  1. wedge542

    wedge542 Light Load Member

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    Aug 13, 2007
    roll tide
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    Guys, if you had a 34 deck ft x 8 and only tarped few times a month, deck is 32" off ground, what size tarp would you look for, never haul any wood products at all, most been steel,machines,pallet size parts,tallest yet was 6ft high, im looking for light yet durable as im still learning these tarping tricks, also what about the drings, how far apart, how many rows? thanks
     
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  3. wedge542

    wedge542 Light Load Member

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    wow, 141 lurkers and no flatbedders advise?
     
  4. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Hi Wedge……..Don't feel neglected. I did flatbed for a few yrs and enjoyed it. Lumber tarps have an 8' drop and steel tarps have a 4' drop so your product that's 6' kinda' falls in-between, right ? It sometimes depends on weather or not the product absolutely needs to be completely covered. I suppose you could have tarps custom made with a 6' drop. D-rings will be your personal preference. The companies that make tarps can help you.
     
  5. Riprap

    Riprap Light Load Member

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    Saginaw, MI
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    D- rings are pretty standard at 2ft spacing on tarps. A standard steel tarp is 16x20 ft with 2 rows of D-rings on the longer sides. Do yourself a favor and have the tarp co. sew 2 rows of D-rings on all 4sides, it makes securing the tarps to odd shaped cargo 100xs easier, plus you can turn your tarp any way you wish to tie down a load.
    I pull 48ft flatbed and have 1- lumber tarp 24x32 w/8ft flap- 4rows of D-rings. 1-16x24 steel tarp-2rows D-rings all sides and 1- 16x27 steel tarp w/2 rows D-rings on all sides.
    I rarely use all the tarps but its enough to completely cover a 8x48x8 load. The 27ft steel tarp is my go- to tarp that works on 90% of loads I need to cover.
    You need to figure out a worse case tarping job and outfit your trailer accordingly.
    Typically lighter tarps tear easily and frequently.
     
  6. wedge542

    wedge542 Light Load Member

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    so,if 16 wide get 2 rows rings per side, how far apart is each row?
     
  7. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    width = ((max height of load * 2) + 1) + 8
    length = ((34 + (max height of load * 2))

    Example:

    4' high load would require a width of 17' and length of 42'
    8' high load would require a width of 25' and length of 50'
     
  8. wedge542

    wedge542 Light Load Member

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    thanks skate, 2 rows per side drings?
     
  9. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    I would put D-Rings over the whole tarp separated 16" apart. If you have a really low load you won't have any D-Rings at all to tie it down
     
  10. wedge542

    wedge542 Light Load Member

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    10-4, what weight should i look for, 13oz-18oz
     
  11. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    Merrimack, NH
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    I would go for the 18oz. The lighter the weight the easier they tear. If you go with a real light weight and get a hole it's easier for the wind to get a grip and tear it apart. 18oz will not tear.
     
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