TMC and tarps

Gotta factor in how heavy that 65-70lb. tarp gets once snow, ice, and rain enter the mix. A wet tarp is heavier than a dry tarp, and a frozen tarp? Fahgedaboudit!

My tarps weigh an average of 50lbs. dry. That weight can easily double when they are frozen, and I don't usually have time to defrost the tarp before I fold it up and tie it down to the deck.

 

Kinda funny how attitudes change in 5 yrs.

5 years ago I carried tarps up ladders. Today? Screw that. Waaaay to dangerous and too much worker's comp risk involved for what it's worth. If the shipper won't put the tarp up there then I call the broker and say we are unloading.

I won't ask an employee to do anything I won't do myself and I won't do that.

 

I haven't touched a tarp in year's. Except a 5 × 8 windshield cover. Combine & Tractor & Loader windows are expensive.

 

I am confused about TMC these people saying they went through there orientation and was made to pick 120 pound tarp and put it on the trailer then unroll it and put it over roll of wire and some how roll it back up take it off the trailer and walk it back where you got it from. Can some one let me know if this is the way it is.

 

I can remember in my earlier years, how I wanted to try the different types of trucking. When I saw (more than once) a flat bedder struggle with high winds, trucks nearly hitting him as they passed him, dealing with other weather elements, I decided that flat bedding, no matter how much better it paid than dry van, just wasn't for me. Glad that for me, I made the right decision.

 

I'm sure you'll do fine, They will show you how to do the job, but if this is something that concerns you, there are other company, someone mentioned Maverick, Don't have any problems with that company other than they are automatic trucks, as a new driver I think it's best to find a job with manual trucks, If flatbed is something you're interested in? Call Melton Truck Lines, They are a great company, Tarps weigh about 80-90 LBS, But they wont expect you tarry one up a ladder, Best of luck

 

Going threw training, you are going to have to tarp loads, so? you will pick up a tarp, pt on the trailer, climb onto the trailer, unroll it over the load, climb off the trailer, and bungee the ends of the tarp to make a tight seal around the trailer to protect the cargo, then? you will undo all bungees, pull the tarp off the load and trailer, and re-roll the tarp, You wont roll it up while still on the load

 

Is there any body out there that works for KLLM??????????????????

 

Dragged a box for 15 years before I made the jump to flatbed. I'd go back....but I can't afford the pay cut or all the entertainment toys I'd need for those endless live load/unload times.

 

I need to bump this thread because I am now considering TMC.
I am concerned about picking up the tarp as well.

On another forum / thread someone said:

Thoughts? Do the tarps in the video look like 120lbs?