Physical Tarp Test

Ok guys and gals, I was reading Old Schools post about the, I guess you would call it a physical tarp test? Here's my question I'm 5'7", I know I wouldn't have a problem getting the 120lb tarp from the ground to my shoulder, to the trailer, however lifting it 7ft in the air concerns me. How do you guys think I would fare?

Sometimes the fork lift guys will set the tarps on top of the load for ya but for the times they don't you put in of your shoulder and get good at climbing with one hand. Kind of like carrying roofing shingles up a ladder to the roofs.

Hey Keith, I'm not a real big man. I am about 5' - 10". A flat-bed trailer is usually around 64" from the ground to the bed of the trailer. So, once you've got that tarp up on your shoulder you just lean it over against the top edge of the trailer and then you kind of roll it off of your shoulder onto the trailer. It's really more about the right technique than it is about strength.

I'm not sure which thread you were reading, but if it was the one at TMC, they have you also put the tarp up on top of a steel coil that is close to seven feet high. But there again it is all about the technique. You simply get one end of the tarp up against the curve of the coil, and then you can use some leverage and sort of flip it up over its end so that it lands on top of the coil. This way the curve of the coil is supporting half of the weight of the tarp while you are only lifting the other half up and over so that it lands in place where you want it.

I've met plenty of flat-bed drivers who are shorter than me - if you're interested in flat-bed don't let something like that hold you back.

I don't know which company it was, but yesterday, on the freeway, I saw an ad on the back of a tractor-trailer that said, "Tired of tarping? Call 1-800-(whatever.)" It was pretty amusing. I thought of all you guys.

-mountain girl

Ok guys and gals, I was reading Old Schools post about the, I guess you would call it a physical tarp test? Here's my question I'm 5'7", I know I wouldn't have a problem getting the 120lb tarp from the ground to my shoulder, to the trailer, however lifting it 7ft in the air concerns me. How do you guys think I would fare?

Yes, Old School, it was your post about your experience at TMC. Thank you for the insight and advice. I just didnt want to get sent home( if I decide to work there) because of me not being able to lift something out of my reach. I'm a firm believer on work smarter, not harder, so whenever it's possible I will take advantage of the forklift driver.