Payne lent me some tarps, but they're not very good. Some have too many holes and they're not the right size. Four piece system, and I think only the rear end tarp is the right size. Has to be 342" to cover a legal 13'6 load and the two middle pieces are around 320". My deck height is 42". So 120 for one side, 102 for the top, and 120 for the other.

Anyways, what kind of tarps should I look at? I prefer something light in weight yet strong. I'd like a four piece system like what I have, but more flexible. I have a load of spools on and the tarps I have just don't work, not enough rings.

I was thinking of getting the four piece system, plus a smoke(the one I have is good though, maybe I should keep it) and also getting two small ones 12 feet 15 feet long with a one foot flap for grader blades. That would work real nice. The tarps I have are too wide and not really long enough for blades.

What do you folks think? Any websites that will help me out? What kind of money are we talking here?

 

We carry a 2 piece set of lumber tarps with 5 rows of d rings and I haven't had anything yet that I cant cover with them. I also do carry a pair of 14'x14' steel tarps for coils or really small stuff that needs to be covered. I have used the lightweight and the older heavier sets we have and they both have their advantages. If you have a set made spend the extra money for one or two additional rows of d rings.

 

That's definitely what I need, more rings!

 

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3 pcs should be plenty. One for the upper deck + 2 for the lower. Make sure each piece is long enough to overlap the other one at least a foot.

 

I talked to the shop manager at my company today, he is a fantastic guy. Gave me a sheet of the dimensions I wanted. He said go with at least a 4 piece system with the types of loads we do. He also said it's best to go with 8 foot centers, and have 2 foot D-rings. That gives 5 rows of d-rings for the larger tarps, and 4 for the front tarp, plus the grommets at the end. He said make sure you get d-rings, not the other sown in grommets.

Anyways the sheet he gave me shows:

Front 14x25 with 8 foot drops, 9 foot front flap that's 12 feet wide, 4 rows d-rings on sides, 3 rows on front.

Middle two tarps 16x28 10 foot drops 8 foot center, d-rings every 2 feet that makes 5 rows plus the bottom grommets.

Back tarp 14x28 10 foot drops 8 foot center, d-rings every 2 feet 5 rows just like the middle ones. 11 foot flap I think that's 12 feet wide(it's cut off in the copy) with 5 rows of d-rings just like the sides.

Sounds pretty large to me, but it will work. Total cost is $2100 Canadian. I should call them to see if this price is still valid.

 

no matter if you have d-rings(I prefer) or grommets, make sure you find out how close together normal configuration is. I bought a set of steel tarps a few years back and got a deal on a "left over" set. Problem is the grommets are so far apart that really, unless you strap over a load, its flapping 100 mph.

 

Adding grommets is one of the easiest things you can do to a tarp. Just get a grommet kit with a hole punch and dies. Boat supply sites have the best selections of grommets, snaps, material etc.

 

ugg tarps... some of the tarps on our loads are 48 feet long and sort of a cloth like viynl. when these things get rained on it soaks it up like a sponge and the thing literally weights a ton. funny thing is the rain gets right thru it so the tarp really does nothing other then beat me up wrestling with it. most of them have the rings ripped outta them so u need to pinch some trap between the rub rail and the strap so it wont blow all over the place. when i see a load with those tarps rolled up wiaitng to go on ill do my best to sneak outta there without tarping at all.

 

try this co. thay seem to have great prices Coil Tarps 6' x 6' x 5' - $95.00 : Mytee Products