Conestoga / rolling tarps systems

One of the Manufacturers builds a "run open" model, or atleast had one at a show

 

The Tarpstop Fastrak has a run open option, you have to pull pins and manually lower the bows to stay under 13'6''.

 

That would be illegal unless your running oversize all the time. Anything over 102 is oversize and requires permits.

 

That is not true! Exception has been made by the Feds to allow a tarping system or load retaining device to hang over either side up to 3 inches. My Roll Tite system is 106" wide and I haven't been bothered at any scales.

 

Very true that, You are allowed up to 3" each side to facilitate tie-downs & weather protection, your overall width can be up to 9' ie; 102" + 3"+3" = 108". No one let me in on that secret & the 1st time I backed one up was totally WTF?

 

Another caveat is that in many cases you cannot fit into those evil 3 sided flatbed docks as they are very often too narrow. I used to swear at Alcoa and Tamko for making their docks 104" wide then stuffing 102" trailers in them.

Not that anyone ever complains about not having to back into those, though...

 

Your right. No one has the right equipment for every haul you can imagine! The beauty of the Conestoga with the work I do is that I haul specialized loads and don't have to mess around with steel or Aluminum hauling.

 

So out of Eagle, Conestoga, Fastrak, Chameleon and Rolltite which do you guys like best?