Im looking for tips on dealing with tarps

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Glimmer, Jan 26, 2012.

  1. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    wished i had a box for my tarps. as of right now. all i got is a shelf on both sides of the trailer.

    we haul a lot of o/s rebar. so i be doing some thinking for some type of extra cabinets in teh future.
     
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  3. JimTheHut

    JimTheHut Road Train Member

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    We carry three canvas tarps to protect our steel tarps. Some guys also use the skid mats that we carry.
    One thing I see people do is when the tarps hang up....they just keep on pulling and they rip.
    Stop pulling and go see where it is hung up on the load....takes less time than patching the holes in your tarp.
     
  4. Glimmer

    Glimmer Light Load Member

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    Great answers. I just happen to have some old carpet that I used to use for laying on the ground whenever I had to get under a vehicle but I like the idea of the rubber mud flaps to. They would last longer than anything.

    When you hire on with a flatbed company (company driver) do they make sure you have everything you need for securement or they usually require that you buy some items, i.e. extra straps, extra bungees, ratchets, and etc....
     
  5. kajidono

    kajidono Road Train Member

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    Depends. Most companies have the stuff on the truck and you just let them know what you need. When I signed on with Arrow, I had to buy a winch bar, tape measure, a couple boxes of bungies, and some odds and ends stuff, but the straps, chains and tarps they took care of. They also bought all that other stuff in bulk at a large discount and resold it there in the shop so it was pretty cheap. Winch bar was $10. Same one they sell for $35-$50 now.
     
  6. qtip

    qtip Light Load Member

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    If your just driving (not owning) they should provide all that. Tarps are a pain in the butt, when they start flapping in the wind as your driving stop and fix it the sooner the better. One thing I haven't seen anyone mention. Put your back tarp on first as you want the wind blowing against the front one, make sure on the front the sides across are done and then put your front flap down. On the back the flap goes down first and then you do the sides across the back (need tarps in front of you to understand) also refuse my help if I try and do it properly(they'll end up wrecked) but if I'm Mickey Moussing it they'll hold up
     
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  7. Cricket Man

    Cricket Man Light Load Member

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    get a conestooga,sliding tarp system !
     
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  8. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    Are they giving those away? :biggrin_2554:
     
  9. Glimmer

    Glimmer Light Load Member

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    Thx of the info qtip, I understand what your saying. Ive been watching some videos lately on tarping (lumber mainly). Im gonna look for videos for tarping coils also. I appreciate all the tips that have been posted. It will make things easier when It comes to flatbed training and on the road.
    I have seen some flatbedders trying to tarp odd shaped loads and sometimes wondered how they were going to keep it from flapping in the wind but I guess maybe with enough bungees you could keep almost anything from flapping the breeze.
     
  10. SHC

    SHC Spoiled Rotten Brat O/O

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    For steel plate, beam loads i have the plastic corner protectors and I just put some magnets inside the protector that stuck on with 3M tape. this way they stay on when you are tarping. Also good to keep some magnets around for hauling plate steel, that way the plastic sheeting you use to cover it stays in place. Just something I found useful.
     
  11. plentygood

    plentygood Road Train Member

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    Nice tip :thumbup:
     
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