If I were in it for the money...

I know some of our older tarps with patches weigh upwards of 150. The newer ones aren't so bad... until they get wet...

I know a lot of the veteran guys have there own way to do things, but I'm hoping to help the new drivers out some. Tarp folding is an art, and one way doesn't fit every application. For instance, I like mine quartered and rolled tightly but on my old truck I had an APU and cut-down tarp box so I had to overlay my edges and flat fold the tarps to make them fit. Also, tight rolls are nearly impossible with wet or frozen tarps.

 

LOL yeah thats why I had to help my dad put his sidekit back up! All he hauled was 2 loads. The tarps were froze and heavy!

 

If it makes you feel better, Doc, you're not the only one who's ever had that problem. I had that issue on my way home... late winter or early spring with a two-drop load. Took off a bit in Zeeland, MI and was heading toward the house. Bad winds and the winter mix we all know so well. Those bungies just snapped and it looked like I had a flag flying in the wind. Pulled off on the shoulder and wasted at least an hour fixing the thing with even less bungies than it had before (didn't have any more). Then I threw a strap or two over to make SURE I wouldn't have the problem again.

Just an FYI, Roehl doesn't like to see straps over your tarps. It'd be advisable not to do it (or at least not in Wisconsin).

 

Yeah, I know their feelings on straps over tarps. They now know my feelings on crappy bungees. When I called dispatch to let them know I'd be delayed his response was, "You're the third driver this week that lost a tarp! What are you guys doing?" I am just glad I invested in Carhartt outerwear...

 

I have never lost a tarp. The back tarp is put on first and the front tarp overlaps it to keep from getting an air pocket under it. I have had loads that it was iffy and if I think there is a problem I will throw a strap over the tarp where they over lap. I always pull my tarps tight because a flapping tarp looks bad, can tear the tarp, and can break bungee's. I put bad bungee's out of service. When I find a bad one I tie it in a knot so I will not use it again. I have only threw a strap over a tarp once or twice. If my load is going to be close with the tarps. I will pull the back tarp forward with bungees then overlay my front tarp and pull it back with bungees.

 

Tarps today are better than the canvas ones we used to use. You had to keep them aired or they would go moldy.

 

I have 3 canvas tarps. 2 lumber tarps 8 foot drops and two steel tarps 4 foot drops. I use the canvas underneath on some steel loads.

 

The back tarp was on there perfect; thrown first, with a good three feet of overlay from the front tarp. I laced the bungees up nice and it was a good tight fit. The problem was with the front tarp. The load sloped down and made it difficult to it pull it tight. No matter what I did, there was still flaps. It rode nice for the first couple hundred miles out of the UP and Wisconsin. The problems started when the headwinds picked up down in MN. They just worked at any flap or gap there was until they got under and just popped the bungees. I wish I had good bungees, but us Red Truck drivers don't have that luxury. The load I am under now isn't much better. The back looks good, but the front is a PITA since it isn't squared off. The front stack is two 2 bales high on the sides, and 3 in the middle. The rest of the load is 3 high all the way across.


Front Stack
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Other Stacks
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If any body has any advice on getting a good tight tarp on that, please share. If I could have handled the weight of two more bales, it would have been perfect, but this just sucks.

 

Where ya picking up Hay? I've been stuck with broker loads. I'm convinced they're trying to get me to quit.

As my trailer sits now, my tarps have two straps. One on the front, one on the back. They weren't necessary, but this is a 2-pickup and 2-drop load, so I planned ahead on the first stop. I did the cape then decided it was too ugly and folded them under a few times and strapped them down. 3 coils on there now, picking up 1 first thing in the AM. The next ones only 3,000#, so I think I'll just secure it with bungies.

 

Nice outfit, there, Waterloo. I notice where you are, and know there used to be a prison camp by the same name in your immediate vicinity. Is that the name of other things in that area? I know this because I used to work in Chelsea.....at yet another prison camp.

BTW, the pumpkin must be doing something right for you.......