Rope vs rubber tarp straps? Any tips and tricks?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by already gone, May 20, 2018.

  1. already gone

    already gone Road Train Member

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    Btdt, bungees get tossed when they dry out or get cut. Always smart to wear glasses stretching bungees.
     
  2. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    If there are rope hooks on the trailer then rope is the way to go IMO.
     
  3. already gone

    already gone Road Train Member

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    Im guessing not, since everyone has just shown me tying to the rub rail.
     
  4. ChaoSS

    ChaoSS Road Train Member

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    Barring any necessary padding that might be needed, tarping a regular load shouldn't take more than .5 - .75 hours in total. Honestly once you get the hang of things a half hour tarp job should really be considered too much time for something with one tarp.

    Individual ropes tied off to the rub rail is too much work. At the very least it would be nice to be able to loop under the rub rail and back up to another d ring and tie off there. It's easier to tie off that way. A few long ropes that just go up and down are easier, but it takes a lot more time if you don't have rope hooks since it needs to be rethreaded every time.
     
  5. already gone

    already gone Road Train Member

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    Its 2 steel tarps, , i know what u mean about taking too much time, i saw the load the first time, figured mb 15 min once chained down. Not so with 60 to 70 hitches in rope.. ..
     
  6. ChaoSS

    ChaoSS Road Train Member

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    With everything, you'll get faster in time. My tarp jobs take way less than half the time they did when I first started, and are neater and hold up to the wind way better. It's something you'll learn, so I'm not trying to dump on you for taking too long or anything.

    But yeah, having a system that goes faster helps, and having the right equipment helps.

    One option if you don't have tarp hooks is to use a bunch of S hooks like you find on bungees and hook them under the rub rail and hook the rope through the other end, this would make using a single long rope a lot faster. If you tarp at a place where lots of other people tarp and the place doesn't clean up well it won't take you long to get a good number of S hooks by picking up the broken bungees and cutting the hooks out.
     
  7. daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    No.
    That is the worst knot there is.
     
  8. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    I/We should just trust that with no explanation whatsoever? It must be good!
     
    kylefitzy Thanks this.
  9. daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    Pls do not use hooks on the ropes.
    It will make you very slow.
     
  10. ChaoSS

    ChaoSS Road Train Member

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    I'd love an explanation on that.