TARPING

[Sal]

OK another lame brain question . Tarping... are you taught when and what to tarp in school ? Some loads look like a real pain and the tarps look as though they could weigh more than one guy could handle. Do you get help tarping or just have to muscle it yourself ? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks... Wise guy remarks are enjoyed also

[Uturn2001]

If you go flatbed you will learn how to tarp during your OTJ training.

And yes. Those tarps can be very heavy, but a person will rarely lift them higher than the deck of the flatbed. If they need to go higher than that you can usually get the forklift driver to place them on top of the load for you.

[Sealord]

The thing about flattin' is to work smart, not hard. I can lift a 120# lumber tarp from the ground to the flatbed. I'd rather use a piece of dunnage as a ramp and roll the tarp up the ramp to the deck, less wear and tear on the bod. Ditto the comment about most forklift operators will lift tarps to the top of the load or to the tarp rack if it's on top of the headache rack. BOL

[Phantom433a]

and the shipper will let you know if it has to be tarpped or not......just remember to have plenty of bungees ready so you can get all those loose sections. Don't want to run down the road flapping in the breeze.

[Sal]

Appreciate all this information on tarping . Reason for asking, I'll be 58 on the 7th . I'm not in bad shape (yet) but I don't want to rush it either. Now this is a real stupid question . You can't be tarping every load so does the Co. tell you when to tarp ? Just trying to find out if flatbedding would be a wise choice for me?

[Uturn2001]

Either your company or the shipper will let you know if the load needs to be tarped.

[steelhauler2007]

Some companies tarp more than others.Depends on what their main product is that they haul. The company that I drive for now we haul alot of oilfield pipe. Just chain and go. Companies like Melton,Maverick they tarp alot.You get paid extra for tarping.Melton pays $40.00 and Maverick pays $20.00.If the load info says to tarp,you better tarp.If in doubt ask the shipper or your fleet manager.There have been times I have called the receiver and asked them,after all it is their material.You will learn the basics of tarping during Orientation and then when you go out with a trainer he will teach you the actuals ways to tarp. Hope this helps.

[gordoUSA]

RE: Appreciate all this information on tarping . Reason for asking, I'll be 58 on the 7th . I'm not in bad shape (yet) but I don't want to rush it either. Now this is a real stupid question . You can't be tarping every load so does the Co. tell you when to tarp ? Just trying to find out if flatbedding would be a wise choice for me?

SAL:
I'll be 58 the 21st. Thinking the same thing. Flatbedding would be my first choice. But being just a wannabe, I am having concerns as to the right choices just starting out.
Good luck!

[Sal]

RE: Appreciate all this information on tarping . Reason for asking, I'll be 58 on the 7th . I'm not in bad shape (yet) but I don't want to rush it either. Now this is a real stupid question . You can't be tarping every load so does the Co. tell you when to tarp ? Just trying to find out if flatbedding would be a wise choice for me?

SAL:
I'll be 58 the 21st. Thinking the same thing. Flatbedding would be my first choice. But being just a wannabe, I am having concerns as to the right choices just starting out.
Good luck!

Well GordoUSA you should have no problem your a lot younger.
Good Luck To You

[Goin Fer It]

Tarping helps you stay in shape, keeps you from getting out of shape! Not all loads are tarped but at Davis my husband does tarp quite a bit. Tarping is not a problem but he hates putting up the side kits! It is very time consuming and a pain. He rarely has to do that though!

Davis taught my husband how to tarp when he was training with them.

My husband just turned 50 in June!

Goin Fer It's Wife

[Graymist]

Tarping helps you stay in shape, keeps you from getting out of shape! Not all loads are tarped but at Davis my husband does tarp quite a bit. Tarping is not a problem but he hates putting up the side kits! It is very time consuming and a pain. He rarely has to do that though!

Davis taught my husband how to tarp when he was training with them.

My husband just turned 50 in June!

Goin Fer It's Wife

What are side kits ?

[Sealord]

Sidekits are panels, stakes, hoops, and a special tarp that makes a flatbed look like a "conestoga" wagon, another term is "covered wagon". Many flatbed companies don't do sidekites 'cause it's more junk on the wagon and it eats up time to rig and breakdown. Some shippers (Alcoa, Reynolds, etc.) require it due to the product they ship and it is quick loading and unloading in some cases. BOL

[DaveP]

I'll be 50 in December and tarping hasn't killed me yet...(although some of those 100+ days this summer I DID think a couple times "This is what they make 20 year olds for... :wink

[Sal]

[quote="DaveP"]I'll be 50 in December and tarping hasn't killed me yet...(although some of those 100+ days this summer I DID think a couple times "This is what they make 20 year olds for... :wink[/quote

Well I'd like to give flatbedding a shot. I don't feel that old. Even when 90% of the guys I work with now are younger than my kids.

[DaveP]

[quote="Sal"]

I'll be 50 in December and tarping hasn't killed me yet...(although some of those 100+ days this summer I DID think a couple times "This is what they make 20 year olds for... :wink[/quote

Well I'd like to give flatbedding a shot. I don't feel that old. Even when 90% of the guys I work with now are younger than my kids.

heh, heh.... know what ya mean.

Now and again I'll run into old high school classmates and it amazes me how old THEY'VE gotten.