How does one tarp this?

Yep. I had to tarp yesterday. But for 500 bucks i don't mind.

 

I love it.

 

What’s your empty weight @Zeviander

 

Depends on the trailer, but it usually comes in under 30,000 lbs. C-13 CAT and 120 gallon tanks. If it didn't have the blower on it, it would probably be even lighter.

 

Tarps are really not that big of a deal. If you have your systems down, then the work is easy and goes quick.
When weather plays into it, you know it and adjust for that.

 

Piece of cake load. 8 foot lumber tarps on foam insulation. Done it a thousand times. The shipper has a forklift attachment to put your tarp up. Then use edge protectors and gentle with the binders so they don't dig in. A whopping 7000 lb load.

 

That looks like foam board insulation. A single smoke tarp should suffice, and would only be needed if your tractor has stacks instead of a weed burner exhaust.. No need to tarp the entire load. If the shipper requires tarping the entire load, I'd charge an extra $200.

 

Three tarp load for us. Still shouldn't take a guy more than 30 minutes and it's simple to line up the tarps.

Worst case scenario is I have my steel tarp rolled with 6' drops instead of 8' and need to spin it while I'm up there. Most shippers I've been too done have the cool forklift attachment and you're left to your own devices.

 

After the first time I hauled this stuff I realized quickly why the smoke tarp is highly recommended. After 400 miles the panels do begin to get wind and abrasion damaged from the plastic wrap. Even under that mileage the smoke tarp stops all the wind from separating the stacks which can widen and push the load significantly. If you don't cross strap the back stacks they will walk off the trailer. I can't seem to get them tight enough for my liking without cracking the top panels under my straps.

 

It's rare to need to get on top of insulation to roll out the tarps. If someone needs to then it's usually an employee of wherever you are picking up. I needed to a couple of times, they provided one of thoes big rolling ladder deals. When in doubt, crawl on all fours.


The problem with the tarp in the picture is the two sections of tarp don't overlap enough. The wind will get in there and plow the back tarp back. You want 2-3' overlap, usually 3'. 2' is ok if the tarps cover the load down to the deck and you can get them tight. Maybe the driver was trying to completely cover the top but didn't have enough tarp.