Buying Flatbed Tarps

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Kytrucker12, May 26, 2022.

  1. Kytrucker12

    Kytrucker12 Bobtail Member

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    How do I know what tarps to get? My customer told me 8ft tarps but no dimensions otherwise.

    what’s the cheapest tarp seller?

    I’m located in Baltimore md.
     
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  3. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    8ft tarps meaning 8 ft drop tarp. Dont actually go buy an 8 ft tarp... How to measure a tarp and figure out your "drop lengths"..

    An 8ft drop tarp is going to be 24ft wide... How do we get that number..

    Well a tarp with no "drop" is 8ft wide. (Trailer width) Then you add 8ft drops on both sides of that. Making 24ft total width. (Drop meaning the material that covers the side of the load) A 4ft drop is going to be 16ft wide. 8ft in the middle. 4ft on both drops...

    So if u just doing regular flatbed work. U could buy a set of 8ft drops and 4ft drops. Thats what i carried and it covers most anything. Some guys carry a 6ft drop as well to cover those loads in between 4 and 8. Because the 8s are a pain in the ### to cover a 5ft load. So much excess tarp to work with. But it can be done. When i first started i only carried 8s and was tarping 2ft tall loads with them...

    I would also reccommend getting flaps on them. They come in handy. And order the length for 2ft longer than your trailer... So if you have a 48ft trailer then order 25ft tarps (2 of them).. So you have room for overlap on a load that extends from end to end... Think insulation, or lumber...

    So a 8ft drop tarp thats 25ft long would be 24ft wide by 25ft long.. I would go atleast 16oz vinyl or more. Over 18oz starts to get really heavy. Less than 16oz will tear easily...

    As for the supplier. I got mine from tarpstop and they have held up really well. You can buy 8ft drops with flaps for around 300 a piece if i remeber correctly. They are about the cheapest good quality i have found. More expensive will be mytee but i have not had good luck with their quality.

    Hope that helps.
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2022
  4. goga

    goga Heavy Load Member

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    I'd suggest getting 3 pieces instead of 2. Easier to handle, more versatile and lighter to carry. Also if you can, get light version. It is 3x50lbs vs 2x120. Google it, there are many companies that will ship anywhere. I've had 2x17 and 1x20 super light version of tarps from DS sewing a while back, lasted 7 years with generous padding. Very easy to fold and tackle in if there is a need to cover 1, 2, 4, 6'.

    PS: and no, don't get the "cheapest". $1-200 more will save a lot in the long run.
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2022
  5. JonJon78

    JonJon78 Road Train Member

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    What type of loads will you be tarping and how often?
     
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  6. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    I’ve found 2-3 16’ by 30’ and a 20’ by 30’ to be handy, along with 2-4 of a 10’ by 12’.

    The bigger ones can be turned (get D rings at 1’ increments all the way around - rip stop material with fabric loops is lighter and easier.

    Each to their own - if it’s dedicated product, order to suit.
     
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  7. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Good God...
     
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  8. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Them were the good ol days.. Nothing like a face full of tarp trying to tuck 6ft of it in.
     
  9. Espressolane

    Espressolane Road Train Member

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    For years, lots of years, all I carried was a custom set of lumber tarps. 8’6” drop by 28’
    D ring rows at 18” all the way around. Tarped everything with them.
     
  10. goga

    goga Heavy Load Member

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    It depends how you fold them up. It is an easy thing to do, when unfolding roll the extra into 1' diameter 6 times and the extra stays inside when it gets dropped.
     
  11. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Never thought of doing it that way. Although it didnt take me long to buy 4fters and stopusing the 8s altogether
     
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