FLB's take on tarping....

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Freightlinerbob, Jun 20, 2014.

  1. Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

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    There are several ways to tarp correctly and I certainly don't have the only method but people are always asking - "how do I tarp..."
    So today I took some pics along the way to show what works for me.

    Step one: put on your safety glasses. And a good hat if the sun is beating down on you. Keep hydrated.

    Simple load but the edges could do damage to the tarps and the load should the tarp rip:
    [​IMG]

    I use padding salvaged from old tarps. Doesn't hold water or dirt, folds up easily:
    [​IMG]

    Unroll the rear tarp and get it square while you're on the load, leaving the end 6" too short:
    [​IMG]

    Hold down the leading edge with minimal tension:
    [​IMG]

    Then pull on the end flap to make it taught. Nothing worse than a saggy tarp:
    [​IMG]

    Get the end flap tied down:
    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    Pull the sides tight temporarily:
    [​IMG]

    Do up the sides using every other D ring, starting in the middle and working to both ends. More than every second D ring will create too much tension and pull the tarp to one side. Repeat on the other side using all D rings:
    [​IMG][​IMG]

    Be mindful of where the tarps will overlap and use the bungie in such a way that the hooks won't rub the top tarp:
    [​IMG]

    No need to bungie every D ring on the overlap:
    [​IMG]

    Repeat with the front tarp:
    [​IMG]

    Hook the front edges together and the pull on the end flap. This will tighten the tarp and get draw in the side-end flaps.
    [​IMG][​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Do up the sides and then the front end flap:
    [​IMG]

    Just like Christmas:
    [​IMG]


    Happy tarping.
     
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  3. joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

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    Can you teach my kids how to make their beds? Pretty sure you'd be able to teach them right with that superb tarp job!
     
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  4. daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    View attachment 67646
    A long time ago when i was still doing flatbed,we used old tarps that were around 120" wide.(we would cut them to that size)
    Just ran them open over the load and then tarp over them with the regural tarps.
    Kept our tarps safe and added a extra layer off protection if there was a small tear or hole in our regular tarps.
    With them being so small they were easy to remove and fold.
    And when removing the big tarps you were shure those did slide off easy without catching on something and tearing.
     
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  5. Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

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    Teach them- yes. Getting them to do it is another matter entirely.
     
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  6. Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

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    Daf105..

    Good point about the tarps sliding off easily. But that's a lot of material to carry around.
     
  7. daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    Not really,because they are so small they fold easy.
    Not much weight in them.
    And when they are worn out..............just junk them.
    I do agree if you have no boxes to store stuff in then it can be a pain to store on the floor off the trailer.

    Real handy to use to tarp machinery.
     
  8. zinita17601

    zinita17601 Road Train Member

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    Not every load is square and even like that but good job anyway
     
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  9. Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

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    Very true but I use the same procedure for every load.
     
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  10. Skunk_Truck_2590

    Skunk_Truck_2590 Road Train Member

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    That's a good lookin' christmas gift!
     
  11. Bumpy

    Bumpy Road Train Member

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    When one of my tarp jobs look like that I will be leaving the building..:biggrin_255:
     
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