Question:
If you have a load on the bed thats the length and width of your trailer and 13 foot plus high how are you going to get the tarp up on top if theres no fort lift around?
Once your up there how are you getting down?
Whey you arrive at your reciver how are you removing your tarp? I mean are you scaling the side pulling your self up on top. Then pulling the tarp up the sides to the top to fold or are you tring to pull it off from one side while standing on the ground to fold?
Tarping may be hard or time consuming but don't you think that after you figure out a system thats works well it would get easer and quicker?
It seems like most companies only pay $10.00 or so per trap. That don't sound like much but KTL tarps 90% of their loads (5 to 7 a week) at $10.00 ea that can add up to $200.00 to $280.00 extra a month beside milage pay. Do those of you in this field think its worth $10.00 a tarp if you look at it over the course of a month?
I have know idea why I seem to keep leaning towards Flatbed even though I know its going to tough. Someone set my mind stright here, thanks.

Answer:
Well,
If you are going to run flatbed you need to get a good ladder. The ladder needs to be able to extend to at least 15-16 feet.
I have only had 2 loads in 6 months that I had to muscle up the tarps with out any assistance from the shipper. These were machinery, and they are a PITA. All kinds of sharp edges and gaps between them. Your easier loads to tarp are the nice square loads. Now of course you may have to deal with multi stop loads. If you are lucky, you can get by with just pulling the tarps back far enough so you can unload that stop, then throw them back over the load. All being said, I would rather never touch tarps. Sure you get tarp pay, but when you actually figure the time that you spend with what you are beind paid it is sad. Especially when you first start. As with everything, the more you do it, the quicker you will get. You will also be able to get those tarps nice and tight, not catching any wind.
Alot of the shippers I have been to that have high loads that require tarping have a sercurement system. You put on a body harness and you hook up while you are on top of the load. The biggest trick to doing a quick tarp is how you roll your tarps up. I prefer to roll my lumbers in thirds and my steels in halfs. Everyone has their own method. But the idea is that when you roll the tarps up. You do it in such a way that they will unroll over the load evenly.
But as I have said, I have yet to really find any shipper that will not put your tarps on top of the load with a forklift. After all they are the ones that are requesting the load to be tarped. The ladder I use is a tri-fold ladder. I have probally only used it a dozen or more times in 6 months. But it is like the old saying goes "better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it". Just make sure that what ever ladder you do go with that you secure it. By securing it, I mean get a good bicycle lock for that sucker. If you do not have it locked down, they have a funny way of growing legs when you are not around. You should also consider getting a push broom to keep with you also. There will be some loads on a flat bed that you need to sweep off the wagon before you go running down the highway to get your next load.
If you get a load that has been wrapped in plastic that has been nailed to the deck. Make sure you pick up all of the loose nails before you take off. I realize this seems like common sense, but you would be suprised.
Forgot, you should also have a tape measure that goes at least 14 feet. Its a good thing to know how high they actually load you.
DRIVER BY CHOICE
Buzzdog

Answer:
I never ran into a situation where I had to muscle the tarps up onto a high load. The fork lift driver was always more than happy to lift them up there for me.
As far as getting them down. I just stood on the ground and yanked them down and then folded and rolled them at ground level. Just be sure to use corner protectors when you tarp up on any sharp edges or you will rip your tarp to ribbons.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by mandrtrucking:
If you have a load on the bed thats the length and width of your trailer and 13 foot plus high how are you going to get the tarp up on top if theres no fort lift around?
Strap it down, hook your strap on the bottom of the inside rail at the bottom
Once your up there how are you getting down?
I usually tarp it first then strap it down over the trap to help hold it down while going down the road. You might want to sling one or two straps over first and then use the strap to repel down your load (make sure its hooked good and you go down the ratcheting side.
Whey you arrive at your reciver how are you removing your tarp? I mean are you scaling the side pulling your self up on top. Then pulling the tarp up the sides to the top to fold or are you tring to pull it off from one side while standing on the ground to fold?
Pull them down on the ground from the ground then fold them there on the ground. The less your on top of a load the safer you are.
Tarping may be hard or time consuming but don't you think that after you figure out a system thats works well it would get easer and quicker?
Yes, you develope a system that works for you and it does get easier
It seems like most companies only pay $10.00 or so per trap. That don't sound like much but KTL tarps 90% of their loads (5 to 7 a week) at $10.00 ea that can add up to $200.00 to $280.00 extra a month beside milage pay. Do those of you in this field think its worth $10.00 a tarp if you look at it over the course of a month?
I remember when it was $25
I have know idea why I seem to keep leaning towards Flatbed even though I know its going to tough. Someone set my mind stright here, thanks.
Maybe you like the challange
***********************************
When your in a Star Car, nothing else is needed to be said

Answer:
their aint nobody out there paying enough to deal with the hassles of tarping!! It is easier to find an outfit that dont do it or go pull a tanker!!
You keep leaning towards flatbeds cuz we are just more interesting than most
Let the flaming begin!!!!!!!!!!!
CD
"I dont like small cars or real big women,but somehow I always find my self in 'em" (Kid Rock) recovering dweller..........oilfield trash division