Tarping before or after securing?

The only loads I'll put the straps over the tarps on are onions and hides, where you need the tarps to help hold the freight together.

Strapping over the tarps is not a good reason to skimp on bungees. I see a lot more poorly covered loads where it's clear the driver attempted to hold it down with straps. If you can fit your hand between your tarps and trailer deck up to your elbow, you might as well not have the tarps on at all since they aren't doing anything in the wind/snow/rain/salt.

The three piece tarp set looks fine for a first set, since you run the risk of destroying/losing them with beginner's luck. I'd have the middle tarp boxed out with extra rows of D-rings to use it as a machine tarp or coil tarp if needed, but that's just me. Be sure to mark which tarp is the middle tarp so you can tell them apart when rolled up.

 

Great advice, thanks! Is 100 bungees enough to start with? I was going to buy two 50 packs when I pick up the tarp, one box of the medium size and one box of the long ones

 

I think you will run into trouble with the d-rings being too low on 4' or less loads with standard lumber tarps. If you go this route I'd call ahead and let them know you'd like a set with more rows of d-rings so you can use them as "steel" tarps.

 

Thanks, that's really helpful. Dang, I don't know now. I will be pretty pressed for time. My next load will pick up Tuesday 100 miles away, the one that needs 6 ft drops... So I'll have some of Monday to toy around with but not much... Maybe they can sew some on that morning? Lol or maybe I could just buy some 6 ft tarps and say to hell with the loads that need 8ft drops??? I don't know now.

If I were to get steel tarps, how many?... and what sizes?, I know they would need to be at least 20' in one direction right? ...that would make 6 ft drops right....

i want to be able to cover most loads if needed

 

I've never strapped over my tarps. How do you get your edge protection placed right doing that?

 

The only time I ever strap over the tarps is with high loads like this insulation, for me it keeps tarps from ballooning out. I also like to make sure to put a directional twist in the straps so that they "scoop" air into the sides of tarps. Not the most aerodynamic way to do it but it makes for a tightly tarped load.
Sometimes with loads, I will put a few straps on first to hold padding in place (if needed) and secure load so I can walk on top of it safely.
All other loads I strap before tarping.

 

With tarpping, I almost alway strapped first, but onion loads I would put tarps on first, certain loads work better if trapped first

 

Actually, I missed the specs on that set, that set has 30" spacing so you'd be good up to 2' drop. Another row would be nice, but it's something you could add later when you have time. Sorry for the trouble.


6' would cover most loads. Most of the times I have to use the 8's is because my 4's are just a bit short. I've been wanting to switch from 4' to 6' but I'm still not sure what dimensions I would want to wrestle with. But three piece tarp sets are nice when you can lift them over your head.

 

Okay. Well good deal, I might go with the 3 piece set then... 👍

 

My first set and only set of tarps is the 3 piece 8' drop. Lightweight sides. What good is a 6 or 4 foot drop tarp when you need 8. One set covers it all. When asked by broker if I have tarps, yes I do but not "keep dry" tarps!
That's what a box or conestoga is for. I was hauling plate steel. I put 6 chains on load then I put my running mats down on the outer edges and then I put tarp on with 6 more straps. I used plastic protectors under straps.
I ran a few loads of plywood out of Oregon to Indiana. I strapped over the entire tarped load.

Good luck