How many different types of tarps do you guys carry?

I have 2 4' drop 2 8' drop and a 10'x12' smoke tarp. I only use bungies for sealing the ends and flaps, the rest I have carabiners in the D-rings and use polyester rope to run under the rub rail and up to each carabiner. I have 250' piece of rope that runs the whole trailer. On the odd occasion it isnt quite enough so I have an extra 25' chunk of rope to tie on to the end if needed. I tried the 200 bungie method and didnt like it, but to each their own. If your tarp stays in place, isnt flapping in the wind like a sail and your load stays protected then you are doing it right. Figure out what works for you and go with it. The more you do it the faster and easier it will go.

 

I carry 4 16x25 , I can tarp anything up to 8 ' tall, all of em have 3 rows of d rings.

 

the ropes instead of tarp straps sounds kind of fun, but what do you guys do for machinery or odd shaped items ? can you do that with a 200' rope ? or do you just pull lumber and steel all the time ? I don't even thing I would want to tarp a coil without some tarp straps, but maybe there is a way.

 

Most everything I haul is palletized freight or lumber. I do carry bungies for the odd occasion that I get something that isnt square and needs some TLC.

 

Basic tarp job from last night:
Using old tarps for padding:


Get them square on the load and tie down the ends:


I like to start from the middle and work my way to both ends every other D ring at first the come back and do the rest:


8' drops on a 4' load:

 

Nice work. ^^

 

OK people that can't tarp to make the load look like a beautiful wrapped gift,take notes from Freightlinerbob.

 

Or stick to highly specialized loads that the customer shrink-wraps, loads and secures. The most difficult part of this load I do (aside from driving through Atlanta) is put the flags and oversize banner on. 20' Wide X 66' Long and about $9.0 Million Dollars.

 

There ya go,the easiest flatbedding job around and get paid well for it.Of course you really have to be on your toes but i'd rather do what you do and not have to worry about tarping.I have said this many times.Those flatbedders deserve the entire amount the customer pays for tarping loads and deserve untarp pay as well.They work hard.