Its not a one size fits all thing, IMO. Maybe for some guys it makes sense to do it one way, for other guys, another way. Where I work we run local as many loads as possible, and so 50% of the miles are empty. We don't throw straps like most guys do - they stay rolled up on the winches and are exposed. We save enough time throwing straps over tarps, that the increased volume pays for tarp maintenance, new tarps, etc. Different strokes for different folks.
Oh BS! Pallets of sand or other loads that are soft it doesn’t hurt the tarps and is a time saver! I own my gear and never ripped a tarp doing that! Now any other load I pad and corner protect everything. Especially out west where the wind can make it difficult.
