How long does it take to Tarp a Load?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by reddove, Jun 14, 2014.

  1. Boardhauler

    Boardhauler Road Train Member

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    +1 for what Allan says.

    It will get easier & you will get faster with time. It takes me longer to untarp a simple lumber or sheetrock load because I'm old, fat & hate doing it. I take pride & pleasure in making a tarp job look neat & tight, pulling them off & rolling them is just a PITA.

    Look at how other drivers do things, copy the ideas you like. I favor rubber rope over bungees for example. You can set the tarp on the top unit as it's being loaded & save yourself & the forklift driver the time of setting it up there by itself. A set of lightweight, 3 piece tarps would be a big help.

    Years ago when I started driving for other people, my first tarp job for my new co. was a 3 AM emergency on a load of sheetrock in a shopping center parking lot. (The forecast was not for rain) I discovered that the previous driver had rolled up one tarp backwards. When I flopped it out the flaps were in the center of the trailer, not the end. When I did the front one I dug around & made sure the flap was at the end, flopped it open & realized it was inside out, the d-rings were inside against the load.

    I was not a happy trucker.
     
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  3. MJ1657

    MJ1657 Road Train Member

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    If you have lots of pokey edges get yourself 6 or 8 quality furniture blankets. They help speed up my tarping.
     
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  4. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    That's true,there are more van female drivers then flatbedders.Tarping loads can be hard work.Some of the lady flatbed drivers team so they have help if they need it.Are you making more money then a van or reefer driver?I have seen drivers tarping and ive timed them.They make it look easy and some can have it done in less then a half hr.But they were all guys and most were big,not fat just big.
     
  5. BAYOU

    BAYOU Road Train Member

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    Lumber tarps are way to heavy I run a three piece set of tarps that are 24x20 with rings 3rows all the way around mine weigh 63lbs each it takes me on easy loads 45min on some machinery loads could take a hour longest was an hour and a half and takes me 30min to untarp and roll them up. I did a load of plat last week by the time I strapped chained and tarpped it only took 20min and they didn't even have my paper work ready they said most drivers take a hour.

    yes you will get faster with time, a big part is the way you roll them up if you don't do that right you will fight it and take twice the time.

    One think I always keep in mind is if it's tarpping outside or inside if it's windy it will kick your rear. I was in Oklahoma a few months back and I couldn't roll my tarps up I was outside and didn't have anyplace to block the wind I just folded them the best I could and stuffed them in my boxes and rolled them up a few days later.

    I have a almost new 3pc set of tarps I'll sell for $600 if anyone needs a set just PM me......
     
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  6. dannythetrucker

    dannythetrucker Road Train Member

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    Who cares how long it takes ? (that may sound smart-alecy but I really don't mean it that way) So long as you are being paid appropriately just take your time and do it right, it's not a race.

    I'm definitely not the fastest securement guy, but I just forget about time and keep after it til it's done right. Err towards oversecurement, lots of padding and edge protection, and bungees everywhere for me. There's lots of ways to save time in trucking, rushing through securement and tarping isn't one of them IMO.
     
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  7. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    I agree ,who cares how long it takes as long as its done right and have the time to make it to its destination safely and ontime.
     
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  8. Dinomite

    Dinomite Road Train Member

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    My question to the OP after 2 months is the money worth the 3 hr tarp jobs and the possibility of getting injured in the process?
     
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  9. guscast

    guscast Bobtail Member

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    it will get faster and easier over time.but your boss will always say you are taking too long,that is my experience. Even though my name always showed up in the top two, for time getting out of the yard every month (yes we had a monthly postings on the bulletin board for that)it was never fast enough. We had some VERY DIFFICULT loads to fasten down,and Tarp.
     
  10. Ken Worth

    Ken Worth Medium Load Member

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    Some places "tarp" it for you and then it takes twice as long because you have to take it all apart and tarp it right. One of the major home improvement chains is known for this as well as some drywall manufacturers, but I don't complain too much because I appreciate the effort they make to employ the mentally challenged.
     
  11. rockyroad74

    rockyroad74 Heavy Load Member

    Get moving blankets or felt to cover the ends and other irregular points. I have 7 pieces of felt, about 8'X10' which I fold to double the thickness. Throw straps, then position felt under straps, then tighten straps. Get a 3 piece set of lumber tarps, 18oz. Put the rear section on first, open it enough to cover top of load then center it before unfolding down sides of load. Secure corners of each tarp section with bungees. At rear flap, hold each corner down and forward with bungees. Then use bungees to link grommets together from side to side over the flap. On front of load, throw flap up over load out of the way and bungee grommets from sides together. Then flop the flap down and bungee down and rearward. Use a 2" rachet strap to hold the bottom edge of front flap tight to keep wind out. Use straps over the two overlaps at tarp sections. Then hang bungees on d-rings around the sides. Tuck in tarps and tighten bungees around trailer. Pay attention to how the bungees are pulling tarps. Keep it as aero as possible, and at the overlapping sections, pull the sections into one another, not apart.

    Be careful lifting tarps to walk with them. Stretch first. Squat, breathe in deep, lift it close to legs with head up and arch back with shoulder pulling together, exhale as you lift tarp to hip or belly level. Keep the weight in close, lean back some, breathe and walk with small steps.

    It's similar to doing barbell deadlifts and bent rows in weight lifting. So try that sometime at gym. It also is easier to keep the weight in close to your midsection if you don't have a beer gut. Also don't ever twist at your hips, jerk, or extend the weight out away from your body, and never look down and allow your back to hump forward.

    Tarping is so much more fun when it's raining, muddy, freezing, windy, and hot. I once saw a grown man break down and cry because it was very windy and his tarps would fly off the load before he could get bungees on the corners. Nobody loves tarping, and the extra pay for it is usually a joke.

    You're an intrepid woman to take on tarping. How big of a girl are you anyhow!? LOL
     
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