New trailer… what do I need?

I've had mixed results buying tarps online. I've bought a set that has lasted years, and I've bought one that has started ripping and busting grommets and D-rings after the first load. Cheapest is not always the best.

Straps, chains, and binders will last years if you protect and maintain them. The only things I have to replace every year or two are stretch cords and bungees.

 

@singlescrewshaker might know a local place in FL . I would try to source the chain locally because it's going to be expensive to ship because of the weight. Straps you can get a box of 10 for 100 bucks or so at tarp stop. They have a website. Check mytee as well. They are kind of the main brand flatbed guys buy gear fromm

 

Lol

You think @singlescrewshaker knows were to buy tarps?

Now that funny!!!!


Oh and straps aren’t $10 a piece anymore….

 

Just trying to help....

Ok sorry . straps are $13.29 a piece now at mytee . my bad

 

Awe shoot,
Tug was just saying that because I go out of my way not to tarp anything.! Lol Well, that's an understatement. I make every excuse under the sun to never throw one..

I got chains & binders in 2013 from mfr express. But shipping was cheap then..

Tarps
Think I despise it so much because I got codura ones from Peaks. Peaks was fine to deal with, but codura tarps suck..

Straps
My first wagon come with 10 4"ers. I've just randomly picked up a few more, & some 2" straps & ratchets along the way..

 

I’d strongly suggest buying military surplus tents and cutting up yourself some nice 8’X8’ pieces and use them as undertarps. Anything metal or sharp needs an undertarp, fold them so they’re doubled-up on any corners. This will save your vinyl tarps.

You’re going to need steel and lumber tarp sets, plus a repair kit.

Buy bungees by the case. I always kept at least 200 on my truck. This way, you’ll always have plenty to make sure your tarp job is tight. Flapping destroys tarps and looks tacky.

You’ll need an assortment of edge protectors. Don’t skimp! The plastic ones are nice for building materials. You’ll need metal ones for thick/raw coils. You’ll need cardboard ones to put down on finished coils, then metal ones on top of the cardboard ones. The cardboard ones keep the metal protectors from dinging a finished coil, which WILL be a claim.

You’ll need:
8–4”X4”X8’ beveled timbers.
8–4”X4”X4’ beveled timbers.
12-16–4”X4”X1’ blocks to put between bar stock, rebar, or any other material that requires to be cinch strapped.
8-12 strips of mine belt to protect coils.
8-12 coil racks.

I like a mix of ratchet and snap-over binders. They each have their advantages, depending on the situation.

Winchbar.

Strap winder. They make some that use a cordless drill that makes it a few minute job to roll up straps.

An extendable ladder is useful.

Coveralls.

Heavy gloves.

If you plan to haul over-dimensional stuff, you’ll need the full assortment of that equipment. In 2yrs of doing it, I never felt it was worth it.

I hope your trailer has large tarp boxes. You don’t want your tarps to get wet/stay wet. Not only does it compromise the longevity of your tarps, it’ll impact your ability to do a good job for the customer. Finished goods shippers don’t want wet tarps on their products. There are a lot of shippers who only ship with the premier flatbed companies, because of that simple detail.

I hope you know someone who is very good at flatbedding and can help train you. It’s not overly difficult, but, there definitely are do’s and don’ts. Likewise, there are methods to easy, tight tarp jobs.

 

You don’t want 8’ drop tarps. Only fleet flatbed companies would ever subject a driver to that nonsense. Usually 6’-8’ tall loads are going to be some type of building materials and you’d use your lumber tarps for that.

For other loads, 4-16’X16’ is what you’d want. Personally, I like an additional 2-12’X12’ for steel coils, so if I have two I can split them, which rides way better. Belly loading is hard on a trailer and the ride suffers.