Hauling Drywall/gypsum

Couple clicks on the winch past that should be alright. Just pay attention. I preferred to have straps tight didn't care if something got damaged. 1 piece damaged is better than a full load coming off the trailer. I'm not their I can't explain snug and tight. I'd ratchet it down to the point just before you damage something. Pay attention to it after that check the tightness of the load try sticking fingers in between product and the strap. That will then tell you how tight to go the next time.

 

tighten them up sheets will press down and be strong as a rock, loads will shift on braking or lane changes.

 

I always used edge protectors and used a 3 finger method. Put 3 fingers on the end of the winch bar and push down. Just stop and do a load check more often. You'll get a better feel as you go along.

 

get the strap as tight as possible by hand then use your bar 3 or 4 clicks should be good thats what i was taught never had a problem,,,,,,,you try not to damage anything but at the end your the one hauling it you need to feel SAFE

 

If you crack the edge of the board, not really that big of a deal: that gets covered in compound anyway upon install. Gotta watch more about breaking it tightening it as if it were lumber. May want to put that "x" strap across the front to hold it back a bit on hard brake events.
Wallboard will slide. Strap it enough to keep it on the trailer if you take hard accident evasion avoidance maneuvers.
Strap over your tarp as well. That will help, additionally it's probably in the contract to haul it.

 

Above comments pretty much nail it. You don't want to "put all your weight and bounce on the winch bar", but tighten enough to make the pieces "meet in the middle" at the top, and maybe an additional click or two. Every load of wallboard has some dents where the straps were and this is expected and maybe preferred as opposed to wallboard that was scraped off the ground at an off-ramp or tight curve. A good tarp job well actually help somewhat to keep and "loose" areas in check.

Also, x-strap the front.

 

I hauled drywall for 25 years and believe me experience is the only way you'll learn what is too tight! One thing that you must do is check your straps after about 50-75 miles because they will loosen up after you shake that load going down the highway. Proper corner protectors that don't put the force on the corner of the load will help as well. I have been able to strap a load over the tarps without corner protectors and not put a mark on it! Load arrived safely. Raises hell with the tarps after a bit. Hauling drywall is a science, no sudden moves, smooth turns, no herky jerky stuff! And last but not least remember that the only damage to a load of drywall is "inside loading damage"!

 

Had to laugh a little. I hauled a lot of lumber loads out of NW years ago before we used straps. Chains only. An old timer told me one day when we were loading 2x6's that you tighten the chains until they snap thru the top 2x6 and that should be tight enough!