Hey yall, got a question that pertains to flat bedding in general. But since I'm a fan of TMC I wanted to post it here.

I'm wondering about tarps. At my current job we load our machines on flatbeds a LOT. We always help the drivers tarp the loads if they are required. What I would like to ask is when yall get off loaded, how do you roll the tarps back up? Do you fold them while your removing them, or streach them out on the ground and fold them? Do you often get help from the customer? Must realy suck doing all that in bad weather.

I usually fold/roll mine on the ground, sometimes on the deck if there is no room. It's not very often that a customer will help fold/roll but there are always exceptions, and I'll take/give help whenever I can.

jbshadow has it right, pull it off the load and spread it out totally flat on the ground along side of the trailer if there is room...I try to make sure its totally flat before I start the folding and then rolling process...The tighter you can fold/roll it makes it that much easier to get it back into the headache rack cabinet. TMC has a policy "NO TARPS ON THE DECK OF THE TRAILER" (they think that looks unprofessional). So you have to try to get them rolled tight which is not always that easy in the winter (snow/ice) or when they are wet...This goes the same when someone trys to help (which I always welcome) but they might not understand when you seem to be being alittle anal on getting them strecthed out flat and folded just right so they will all fit. If you put them on the deck then most likely you will get a call if someone reports you about taken them off the deck, but you still see plenty of guys that do it.

After a while you will get better and better on the whole process from tarping and untarping but they still suck! Especially the 10 dollars they pay you for tarping a load...Now thats a little ridiculous.

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After a while you will get better and better on the whole process from tarping and untarping but they still suck! Especially the 10 dollars they pay you for tarping a load...Now thats a little ridiculous.[/quote]

U think thats bad ask an oo for tmc what they get for tarp pay.

I fold my steel tarps off the rail. You would not believe how many drivers have asked me how I do that when I was with maverick. Maverick is the only co that I know of that does this.

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A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

I think it ranged from somewhere between $50 to $150 but I can't remember for sure...

I remember when I was in orientation and the instructor told us TMC pays $10 to tarp and I asked was that $10 on and $10 off?? and he replied that they will give me a special rate $5 on and $5 off....

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elaborate please, i'm curious, always trying to work smarter, not harder.

Using 2 bungees off the rail. You just flip the tarp and it folds it's self.

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A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

I always fold mine on the ground, steel tarps are easy. it took me 2 hours to fold 2 lumber tarps in St Cloud, MN, earlier this March, 57 below.

I have folded both ways, but steel tarps are easier and faster to fold off the rail, especially if the wind is blowing.

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A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: