Flatbed Drivers And Tarpping Loads ( Hard Or Not ) ?????

I am thanking about going from reefers to flatbeds how hard is it to tarp a load????? the company said that I would only be tarpping 20% of the load is that good or not????? Please help Thanks to all

That question is hard to answer because every load is different some loads are easy to tarp and some are very difficult and time consuming for the most p art though once you develop a set of skills In tarping and your own system of doing things most loads aren't that bad to tarp.

Gotta agree with Jeffry on that. Tarping is not always difficult. Twenty percent is a very low percentage. You must be going to Hunt, or McElroy. Not too many flat-bed jobs have a percentage that low. My dedicated account that I am serving now is 100% tarped loads with the exception of some of the back-haul loads. We also have those nice conestoga trailers in our fleet so that will cut our actual tarping rate down to about 50%. Some guys just don't like to tarp their loads. I got a message from my dispatcher the other day in which he mentioned how he appreciated the fact that I never complain about having to tarp a load. So, I know he is hearing some complaints from others. But, I mean, it's flat-bedding, everybody knows you will sometimes be handling those tarps. Twenty percent is a very low percentage, that's two out of ten loads, so that will probably come out to a little less than once a week for you - that is not bad at all. It's just a part of the job.

As has been said, some loads are really easy, some are really nasty because the stuff on the trailer is all different sizes and/or has sharp edges. The other part is when it's really hot (you have to stay hydrated) or really cold (the tarps get pretty stiff, and the trailer or load can be slippery).

I invested in two lightweight tarps that will cover a 48' trailer and turned in the two heavier lumber tarps that make up 2/3 of Prime's three tarp system for long, high loads, which has made my life a lot easier.

I could only wish to have only 20% tarped loads. I think it's more like 50% for me - some weeks 100%, some weeks none, but overall about half. You also tarp less in the summer, because some loads are only tarped to protect against road salt, and there isn't any in the summer (except in Colorado and Wyoming lol).

I can also say that I'm getting better at my job (slowly) and I don't worry about it now when I get a tarped load. Plus, it's extra pay. Don't let it stop you from going flatbed. If you're the impatient type, even tarping a nasty load in the rain for a couple hours beats waiting in a dock.