Tarping question

I think as a company driver the better question to ask would be "Which company had the highest tarp pay?"

If the tarp weighs 20# but u get $20 to cover the load then who wants to bother with it?? I'd rather toss a 100# tarp and get $50

 

My company uses two and three piece lumber tarps (which can be a pain) from Sharp's Tarps. The three piece are 24'X20' - 8' drops (I have a 53' flat) and the lead and trail weigh in around 70-80 lbs. The center tarp is around 60 lb.

We also have 24'X26' - 8' drop two piece lumber tarps that are monsters, weighing in around 110-120 lbs.

The older the tarp, the more it weighs since it has more patches on it.

 

When tarping a load there are many ways to get that tarp on top, I have asked forklift drivers to lift it for me and passing a few bucks to them can go a long ways.

Also if you haul plywood or other bundled objects sometimes you can just put the tarp on one of the bundles going up and use that way, plenty ways to skin that cat.

Now if you get on the bad side of any yard person your life could become complicated fast, and take a long time to figure out how you will get the tarp up or move it by yourself.

Some people refuse to even think about giving a forklift driver a tip, but have found 5.00 or so can mean the difference between a hernia and not killing myself.

 

Never tried just asking nicely? lol Never had one tell me no, the trick is to have them out and in an easy position for them to maneuver too once the last piece goes on your trailer. Once theyre done loading you dont see them again usually.

 

when I was 18 I drove for a wholesale moulding/door company and their tarps were a 1 piece 8ft drop that would cover a 48.

That is a hernia waiting to happen.

 

Well I did say if you were on a persons bad side it would not be good, of course being nice to them is paramount.

I have had people say no even being nice, some yard people have had clowns come in and make a bad name for drivers.

 

Why are you paying fork lift operators to lift your tarps on the load?


That's part of their job....
What's next...'Bedders will have to pay lumper fees too?

 

Ok....So if the load requires it be tarped.....And the forklift operator refuses to lift them up on the load....Guess what...Call to the broker and if the broker won't help....The load doesn't get tarped....Period!!!!!
I put my back out once because the forklift operator refused to put the tarp on the load....Never again....

 

Very true but it's really not the forklift operators job to help us move tarps. It takes alot more than 100 or so bucks for me to throw 8 foot drop tarps though.

 

How often will a forklift operator "refuse" to place a set of tarps and why would he/she? I guess I didn't flatbed long enough because in 2 years, I never encountered a time where the loader didn't offer assistance getting the tarps to the top or piggy-backed if kindly asked and tarping was assumed/required. Smoke tarp requirement and lack of proper equipment or assistance, now we have a problem. I have been known to refuse loads at a shipper that required smoke tarps but provided little if any help with the process.