Student driver here. I am seriously considering TMC. Mainly because of their higher starting pay and "home time" Every weekend. Anyway my question has to do with Tarping a load. How much of a Pain in the ### is it? I know every load is different...but how long does it usually take to tarp/untarp a load? 15 minutes? 30 minutes? an hour? I am not worried about pushing around an 80lbs tarp I am a young 40 coming out of the military so the work it self does not bother me. Just curious how time consuming it is.
TMC told me they tarp about 90% of their loads...true? They also told me its $20 per load?
thanks
ArmyMP
Tarping loads and questions about it.
Discussion in 'TMC' started by ArmyMP, Jan 27, 2015.
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Tarping is like anything else,the more you do it the easier and faster it gets. I would say 30 min would be the minimum once you got it down and conditions are perfect. Realisticly when you start you will be slow and will probably take a while longer and second guess the way you are doing it. When I first started 1 1/2 to 2hrs was normal for the tougher loads and as you stated every load is different. Most all shippers have tarp stations to make it much easier and safer,some even tarp for you leaving just the bungees to you.Sometimes the untarping is the more difficult part especially in the winter. It has been a couple years since I drove for TMC at the time it was $20 for steel (5' drop) and $25 for lumber (8' drop).
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Yes the actual tarping is a PITA, but you also need to roll them and stow them after you un-tarp. Careful not to fall off the top of a lumber load ! Then there's your footing when walking on top of a funky load. But, other flatbedders will help you at the shipper/consignee.
Skate-Board Thanks this. -
Taping is not that bad. Its hard work but nothing crazy. You def did more work as an e-1 in the army!! At first it's a little tough and overwhelming but once you do it on your own for a few months it gets easier. At fist it will take you about an hour but once you do it for a few months it will take no more than 30 minutes. Yes tmc pays 25 for lumber tarp an]d 20 for Steel tarp. And I am home everyweekend and I live in eastern nc.
Source- TMC line haul driver trainerDirtyJoe13 Thanks this. -
Thanks all for the response.
when TMC says "home every weekend" I understand that's not 100%. Nothing is ever 100%. But on average......how long is your weekend home? is it only the 34 hour reset time or can you elect to stay home a bit longer? say 48 hours? -
In a perfect world, you would empty out at 4 pm 5 miles from your house Friday afternoon, then load out at 7 am Monday 7 miles from your house. However, it's not a perfect world out there. You will probably be home while under a load about 70% of the time. You'll have a Monday delivery which will require you to head out Sun nite late or very early Mon. An exception might be if you live 5 mi from your terminal and can drop your load for someone else to continue on with. Plan on getting home anywhere from Friday am-Saturday am.
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Thanks for the response!
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If it's 110 outside or -10 and wind blowing.....IT SUCKS! If you just came from the south in the pouring rain and now have to tarp a load in PA and it's 10 degrees outside picture tarping a load with stainless steel sheet metal.
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Frozen tarps and tarping in the wind, rain or snow is the worst. You also have to fold your tarps well to get them in the headache rack. But I believe most just roll them and keep them on the deck during winter. But as other stated, as you do it more the faster and better you'll be.
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I love tarping.
I love driving, It looks bad an us going down the road with tarps straight and not sagging all over the place.
pay me good for tarping and I'll have not a bit ching word about doing it.
now make sure you cover all edges and keep those tarps hole-free.no more containers Thanks this.
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