Flatbeds...skateboards...why?

I was sent on my way with three lumber tarps, and a steel tarp I picked up on my own. Problem is, the lumber tarps... one has 8' sides, and the others have 4' sides. The 4' sides on a lumber tarp seem a bit pointless to me.

 

My point is that I'd rather have two lumber tarps with 8' sides, and know that I'll be able to keep it dry if I should get a load stacked so high, and a couple of steel tarps, too.

 

Just buy one tarp and junk the rest.

 

I suppose. If I didn't have to switch out trailers, if I wasn't prone to hauling oversize loads, etc.

 

Can you turn them to hang 8'?

 

Hey,you could get your fingers pinched while closing the doors..

 

Yeah, I could, and will if I have to. All the same, I'd rather deal with two tarps than with three. I keep being told three is so much better for multiple drop loads, but I'm prone to disagree.

 

I've been a flatbedder for two weeks (never done van, thanks to teaming with my better half) and I love it. I would hate to do nothing but drive, park, drive, park, etc. (Not to mention I hate backing, heh.)

Flatbedding is a workout, it's an opportunity to think, and it's a good mixture of variety to keep driving from becoming a chore. I've already helped strap and tarp loads in cold, rain, and humidity... and I wouldn't trade it for a van. However, we don't make much more than van drivers, here.

 

just got cdl. been in construction for 30 years. changing career thanks to economy. got several pre-hires (flats, van, and reefer).
my quandry is as follows.
i'm pushing 50. have kept body in good shape, but have injured the ol' back a few times (30yrs of construction work tends to do that). been around flatbedders a lot. stepdad drove for u.s. pipe. got friends who pull flats and over-sized. leaning towards pullin' a flat but worried about re-injuring my back. if not flat, i'm considering reefer.
ladies and gents, i've been doin' and exhaustive amount of research, but IMHO, if you want reliable info ASK A DRIVER FIRST!!

much thanks, bullet