Which Tarps to Purchase Initially

THAT top row would make a huge difference on those 1 foot high loads. I almost always tarped over my straps. Less for dot to look at. Not having that extra row I would have to throw straps over my tarps and it just looked terrible.

I would add to get longer end flaps on the drops as well. I'm not sure how long mine were but I've seen longer and wished I had them plenty of times.

 

That is exactly why they added the top row. They wanted to get away from carrying more than one set of tarps and still be able to anything from low loads (plate steel) to tall loads (hay or lumber.)

 

If your going to do sixes which would be a good start make sure to get row of d rings inset at seven foot then another at eight foot then every two feet rest of way down sides and do a 18oz top and flap with 10 or 13 oz sides a lot easier to handle and sides don't see as much abuse as top does. Just some nice thick moving blankets work you can double up on sharp edges. And maybe a small 16x16 machinery tarp with four row d rings all the way around then u won't have to drag both sixes out all the time. I have a set of custom six foot drops a custom four foot drop and a 16x16 does everything I do. There's no such thing as too many rows of d rings.

 

TMC tarps light weight? Good night, not when I was there. I swear the lumber tarps weighed at least 100# each, if not more.

 

After thinking about this a bit. If i was to start over buying equipment, and I had the money...I'd buy 2 16.5'x24' 18 Oz tarps for steel and machinery. And 2 end caps of 18 Oz top 14 Oz sides 16x24. Use one of the machinery tarps turned sideways for those longer loads that require the 8ft drops. Then a 12x12 smoke tarp. Won't be cheap but imo that's the best set up.
But i hate getting out the big tarps unless I absolutely need them.

 

Do the smoke tarps usually have d-rings as well?

I stole (with permission) an old steel tarp from work. I was going to cut it up for tarp padding, I don't have room to carry moving blankets. I figured 10-12 two or three foot square pieces would help padding corners.

But I always wished I had a small tarp, too, for those annoying little pieces you sometimes get.

 

Fire hose is good for protecting everything. Might need to carry a staple gin and tape too.

 

A tarp shop will make any tarp with whatever day rings you want.

 

Sorry. I wasn't clear. I was typing as I was thinking.

Instead of cutting up the whole tarp, should I cut a 12x12 piece out to use as a smoke? Or will it be limited useage without planned rows of d rings?