On-the-Job Tarping: Watch A Veteran Flatbed Driver Fix Real Tarp Issues While Explaining The Basics

In this instructional video, one of our professional drivers will inspect and address tarping issues on a real life load (no perfect training situations here!) while sharing invaluable insights on all things tarping. So whether you're just getting started in flatbedding or a seasoned professional, we hope you gain value from this video. We believe strongly in safety and education, not just for our SPD drivers, but for ALL drivers, so we are happy to make and share these kinds of videos.
00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - Tarped Trailer Inspection
04:10 - Fixing the Issues While Talking All Things Tarping
04:35 - Exploring Different Types of Tarps
06:03 - Securing Straps over Tarps
07:00 - Handling Sharp Edges
08:30 - Learning from Tarping Mistakes
10:40 - Tarping Oddly Shaped Loads
13:35 - Jeff's Truck and A Bad Attempt At Humor
15:02 - Dealing with Missing D Rings
15:50 - Tarping Unused Trailing Ends
20:06 - A Word on Bungees: Don't Eat Them!
22:05 - Average Times to Tarp A Load
24:00 - Managing Tarp Movement
27:43 - Tips for Using Bungee Hooks
30:25 - Closing Comments and How to Be the Best in the Business

[@UncleRutcus]

Eff that, when I run flat bed, the customers had to pay $100 charge for a tarpping job and that was in the late 70s witch would be in today's money around $250. Not all but most would decline the charge.

[@BadEye3621]

If you’re not really a fan of tarping get into stepdeck.. still have to tarp just not as much the other side of that coin is you got to set up ramps and they are heavy

[@BadEye3621]

What length bungees do you use

[@spdtrucking]

I believe they were 12" or 16"

[@mikekomalley]

It's funny that it was tarped backwards.

[@Des-ls3lr]

Do flatbed drivers get paid more than container drivers

[@spdtrucking]

In most cases, yes, due to having to know load securement and the physical requirements of the job.