Flatbed Tarps

If you're going to haul mixed bag freight, 3 piece 8' drops make a lot of sense. If you haven't already bought them, make sure you pay the little bit extra to get them fully "boxed". This means youhave strips of d-rings on all 4 sides so you can turn your tap to fit the load. For example, my 8' drop for my top deck becomes a 4' drop that is 24' long. I've been very happy with Steve at TriCity in Granite city IL. My last set of 10' drops were ready the next day, and since they were a custom color, that is service IMO. I like weird color tarps as they are less likely to be stolen. Stay away from the lightweight sided tarps unless you're only going to haul lumber or the like. First load with the lightweight ones a few years back was a cradle for an AWACS well dome. Needless to say the tarp didn't fare well. I use moving blankets to pad tarps these days.

 

Bud's National Permit Service Inc 800 638-4771

 

Few states self issue. Few have annual permits. The rest you need to order through a permit company and there's lots to choose from. The average fee is $25 or $30 PLUS the cost of the permit from the state.

 

Why does anyone waste their money on permit services?

You do know the carrier can do it by phone/fax....Internet.....
WY and AZ require your smiling face and your wallet at the coops....But otherwise...Getting permits is painless.....

 

Well, keep going. You named another 2 states that self issue. What about the others?

 

Permit hauling is tricky, no one knows the regulations from state to state and it is best to at least start out using a permit service.

I do not work or have anything to do with Bud's permit service but can testify that they never have issued one bad permit, now that will not happen by a DIY. Having hauled at least 38 states with OD/OS or over weight with permits it is a strange world from state to state and not knowing the in and out will get you fined or shut down without the proper paper work.

Some states are just into permits for the fun of it and others take it very seriously, rolling the dice is just not fun.

 

Well i only run the Midwest and do lots of oversize. And I have never used a service. Off the top of my head Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, new jersey, Colorado, Arkansas, Michigan. I have purchased through the state.

 

Every state has an on-line info/contact site....
Get a Rand McNally Carriers atlas....Permit info is listed by state in the atlas....

If you chose to obtain your own permits...Read the attachments very carefully.....
Some states require you to sign in red ink versus black or blue....If you don't....The permit is not valid.......


99% of the time when we deal with the various state DOT's....The people are courteous and helpful....Don't be bashful...Ask questions!!!!