No Tarping Station-No Tarping?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Working Class Patriot, May 26, 2012.

  1. SHC

    SHC Spoiled Rotten Brat O/O

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    The loads were to Syracuse, NY / Kansas City / Atlanta / Nashville

    I can find loads that DONT need tarping that pay about the same or slightly less. But once I take out the $100-$150 tarp fee, plus the hour it takes to tarp a load that large (so the tarps won't get destroyed) I come out ahead.

    Besides, I'd rather run steel beams, instead of a 8' high load dragging in the wind sucking my MPG down even more. I can get close to 7.5mpg if I can keep the load below the roofline.... above that (like a seacan or lumber) I go back down to the high 5's. So in the end, it does not pay as well.
     
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  3. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    . Got yelled at years ago no tarp on load of plywood . Load only went 100 or so miles, not a cloud in the sky. No tarp charge on load(built into rate) so he said. Don't do those kinds of loads anymore .
     
  4. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    Slow the hell down.....I have been at this game for quite awhile.....

    Not all tarped loads can use side kits.....I do OD/OS loads that need to be tarped.....

    My original point was in asking how many drivers would refuse to tarp or tarp at the lack of a tarp station.....
     
  5. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    Lowe's and Home Despot roofing loads from GAF are all tarped.....Doesn't matter if the loads are going across the country or across town...
     
  6. rbht

    rbht Heavy Load Member

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    To answer your question if i book a load and they are paying my rate then i will tarp it. Tarping is not hard even on high loads if you take your time and use your brain. I have used tarping stations before and hate them. IMO they where more dangerous than not useing it. Cables to crawl around and over and the harness allways getting in the way, what a pain in the butt.
     
  7. SHC

    SHC Spoiled Rotten Brat O/O

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    Not out of Summit, IL GAF plant.... hauled a few to the Lowes DC up in Michigan, just strap and go.
     
  8. Jfaulk99

    Jfaulk99 Road Train Member

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    We hauled a lot of OSB loads out of a reload here and the broker said "just keep it dry" (even thought it doesn't matter since the paint on OSB is there to seal the edges) but it worked out great on the few loads I used an open flat for. This kind of common sense doesn't fly with steering wheel holders that's why most say "must tarp".

    I knew you would mention OD/OS. If a specialized load pays so little that having to tarp without a tarp station determines if your going to take, it the rate is too low! VERY few normal flatbed loads won't fit in a conestoga. I've hauled anything from pallets to firetrucks, not a problem. If it won't fit it's oversized and should pay as such!
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  9. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    Ok.....I've pulled from both Elk plants....Ontario and Shafter....Both require all loads to be tarped and no exceptions....The signs are posted at the guard shacks of both plants....
     
  10. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    Right....Every OD/OS I take pays well...

    The ones that were tarped were either aquariums or electrical equipment.....
     
  11. dorset

    dorset Medium Load Member

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    i tarp all the time without a tarp station, but if there's one there, i'll use it. i have kids, and if i get hurt, i want all the compensation that's available.

    my 8-foot tarps weigh 145 pounds each, and i have never had a customer refuse to put them on top of the load for me. after that, i want them out of my way.
     
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