Flatbed Tarps

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by BigBadBill, Jul 10, 2011.

  1. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    Looking at buying my flatbed in the next couple of weeks. My mistake I realized is I was figuring out what types of tarps to get from a couple different company drivers. But what do O/O carry?

    Not looking at doing anything facny. 48' x 102" FB, looking to carry lumber, various steel products, etc. What I am looking for is what combination of tarps should I carry at a minimum. Would a set of lumber tarps and set of steel tarps with 4' drop work?
     
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  3. MM71

    MM71 Heavy Load Member

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    Lumber tarps with an 8' drop. 4' drop steel tarps. At least one machinery tarp 24 x 24. And a smoke tarp if you are planning on picking up pipe, etc anywhere.
     
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  4. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    Unless you solely love to haul lumber...dump the 8' drops...Get a set of 6' drops...If you need 8'....Go to the Home Despot and get a throw-away then put the 6' on top....
     
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  5. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    Also....get carpet pads or remnants to protect your tarps for machine loads or steel plate loads......It sucks to have to patch tarps.....
     
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  6. terrylamar

    terrylamar Road Train Member

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    All you need is two lumber tarps with flaps. They will cover any load. May be a pain to tarp a small load with a lumber tarp, but if you are on a budget you only need two.

    If you are not on a budget get the two 8' drops with flap, two 4' drop and one nose or smoke tarp. You can get specialty tarps as needed.

    But, I guess it all depends on what you are hauling. I tend to select loads that do not require tarping.
     
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  7. SheepDog

    SheepDog Road Train Member

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    Why the name BigBadBill? you a MMA fighter or something...?
     
  8. Jumbo

    Jumbo Road Train Member

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    If you spend the extra money on extra rows of D rings you can cover any load with an 8 foot drop. We just got some in the have a row every foot down.
     
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  9. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    You can have the 8' drops....
    6', 4', and a smoke tarp are all I need...

    Not only that....Ever been to a mill where they expect you to tarp but won't put your tarps on top?
    I have.....6' tarps are a lot easier to hump over the top of a load by yourself than an 8' lead weight.....
     
  10. terrylamar

    terrylamar Road Train Member

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    You are still short 1' on each side. Some loads are required to be fully tarped, ie. lumber loads.
     
  11. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    The throw-aways are available in 50' X 25' IIRC....More than enough....

    Besides...First time I hauled out of CanFor....I had to throw the 8' drops....Get to Ganahl lumber in Anaheim.... The clerk in receiving was going "WTF!!!!....Why'd you tarp the loads....The Mexican drivers never tarp those loads!!!"


    :biggrin_2554:
     
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