Tarping
What is a Tarp?
A tarp is a large piece of water proof material (vinyl, kevlar, canvas, etc.) used to cover or protect any object. A semi-truck's tarp will often have strips of nylon strap sewn on the edges moving toward the center of the tarp at intervals. D shaped rings are sewn along this nylon strap at intervals allowing the truck driver to tie it down with bunjie cords or rope.
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Why do Truckers Tarp their loads?
Flatbed truckers often have to tarp their loads to protect their cargo from weather damage and the general wear-and-tear that traveling along the highway might cause.
Types of Tarps
Note: I have not put down sizes for the tarps below because all tarps are different and are fully customizable right down to the color and number of D rings.
2) Steel Tarp
Steel Tarps are the most used tarp on a truck. They are the primary tarp used on shorter loads that don't require the end flaps that lumber tarps have, and they are also used in combination with lumber tarps on loads that are both high and long. The steel tarp will sit between the two lumber tarps in this case. Depending on the types of loads being hauled a trucker will carry either one or two of these on their trucks.
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How to Tarp a Load
- Lift the tarp on top of the load. If the tarp is too heavy ask a co-driver or forklift driver for help.
- Always start tarping from the back of the load. Center the tarp as best as you can before unrolling it. Start unrolling the tarp, keeping the center fold of the tarp in the center of the load.
- When the tarp is unrolled (not unfolded), adjust the tarp for the back height of the load - this step if not needed for a lumber tarp. You will want the bottom of the tarp at the back of the load touching the flatbed trailer.
- Start unfolding the tarp. Unfold once on each side and make any adjustments needed to center the tarp again (this may seem tedious, but it saves time later on). Finally unfold the tarp fully. If there is a breeze you will want to get down from the load and secure the corners with bunjy cords. Then continue with the next tarp on the load.
- When all the tarps have been unfolded on the load check again how they are centered and make final adjustments, roll up or fold in any tarp excess and secure the remaining d-rings with bunjy cords.
- If you think the tarps might billow our from the height or unusual shape of the load; sometimes throwing an extra strap over the tarp can help with this problem.
Final Product: You as the driver will want the tarps hugging the load as tightly and securely as possible. This will prevent a loss of fuel mileage from the tarps billowing out on the road or a loss of time from fixing tarps on the highway.
Folding up a Tarp
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The video above shows a lumber tarp being folded. Steel tarps are folded in the exact same way except there is no extra flap at the beginning to fold in. For smoke tarps you will want to seek guidance from the company you work for.
Tip: Taking the time to fold your tarps accurately and well can shorten the amount of time it takes to tarp when you tarp in the future. |
Where to store tarps?
How a tarp should be stored is dependent on a couple of different things. The type of truck, the tool boxes available and the weather.
- Lumber tarps are stored up in the rack above the truck and bunjied or strapped down. This allows the driver to stand on the cat walk and swing the tarps over his or her head onto the load.
- Steel Tarps are either stored in the larger tool boxes, strapped to the cat walk (on top of the battery box) or strapped to the trailer. In wet or cold weather it is usually on top of the trailer so that any moisture will drain out onto the trailer rather than onto the battery box.
- Smoke tarps are usually stored in the same place as the steel tarps, but on some trucks it can be stored in the rack above the truck with the lumber tarps.
Tarping in the Wind
When a gust of wind hits the truck it can lift up the corners and occasionally will lift the entire tarp up enough that it alters its alignment on top of the load. This makes it difficult for any solo trucker trying to tie down the tarp and secure it on top.
This problem can be easily solved by using some of the chain binders while tarping.
This problem can be easily solved by using some of the chain binders while tarping.
- After rolling out each tarp secure the corners and center of the tarp with a chain binder, hooking on end of it into a d ring and the other end of it to the trailer. Tighten to a slight tension and leave until the remaining tarps are unrolled. They will hold the tarps in place.
- When all the tarps are unrolled use the binders to adjust the tarps and center them. Tie down the remaining d-rings with bunjies and then remove the binders.