Buying a Side Kit for my flatbed. What do you recommend?

I have 4 foot sides, 6 foot bows in center. Pretty much old school set up. Anything over 72" tall shows thru my tarp. But I avoid black iron, or as new guys call them "master coils". They are big, heavy, and cheap. Nothing master about them. Raw material that pays garbage. Nothing wrong with the coil showing thru tarp, just protect the tarp with something. I normally just save some used mill paper on top, or carpet. However if your trying to hide what your hauling, anyone can see the coil, or coils buldge thru the tarp. Some guys have 5 foot sides. You can get multiple different arches. Add a lead bow into bulk head with a low arch, gives it a taper to regular bows. Helps with aerodynamics. Second lead bow have plastic protection put on. Those are you hard wear spots. Some guys put plastic on every bow. Im sure it helps, but feel its kind of unnecessary.

Light weight panels will not take the abuse old plywood panels will. But your won't kill yourself working with them.

 

36" bows and I can haul 84" coils. Like @jamespmack says, the coil will show, but that's it. I had moving pads to put on top.

 

24" on 48" stakes gives me 72" in the center.

 

You could probably find a used kit a lot cheaper if that is a consideration. Sometimes tarpstop has used kits out back.

 

Not sure were your out of, but I think I seen one on Facebook market either Cleveland Ohio, or Pittsburgh PA. Idk

 

Log into Facebook
If you get through Kent OH area.

 

The good thing about sidekits, you can haul certain things even though it’s not actually inside the sidekit.....