How to prevent tarps from billowing

Preventing tarp billowing is essential for a flatbed trucker as nothing is more upsetting for him than to see his heavy duty mesh tarp billowing in the wind despite all his earlier efforts to secure the cover properly prior to taking off to his destination. More so, if the trucker is a new kid on the bloc.

The perils of billowing tarps

• Cuts down on fuel efficiency
• Poses a risk to straps and cargo
• Disturbs the mind of the trucker which can pose a risk to safe driving

How to avoid tarps from billowing

There is a way to secure tarps for dump trucks right. You have a variety of options available to pack your load in a secure manner. Ratchet straps, bungee straps, bungee ropes, or even nylon ropes. Combining bungee straps and ratchet straps will give you efficiency and speed. Then follow a two-step process.

Step 1 -

Secure the front

As air flows across a load from front to back it is important to secure the front of the tarp well. Flat and Tight so that air finds it difficult to pass under the front of the tarp which will cut down the chances of billowing across the surface of the entire load on the dump truck.

Step 2

Work Your Way Back

Once the front of the tarp is secure, tie-up the back. Bungee straps at important places can safeguard the tarp to either your trailer or the load itself. Across the middle of the tarp use a ratchet strap to keep the section flat. Finally, wrap the entire perimeter of the load using bungee rope from corner to corner. This keeps the edges of the tarp secure against the load. Using bungee rope you can apply fairly large sections of rope without compromising on safety or damaging the load.’

There is not "one way" per se to do tarping. To keep the tarp from flapping in the breeze, it needs to be as close to the load at all points as possible. Using a combination of bungees and straps will solve a lot of tall loads from billowing out. Also, keep in mind any points where the wind will catch the tarp and act like a sail.

Having a tarp with a flap-end will help keep the tarp from catching the wind. One flap for the front, one flap for the back, and if needed just a regular square or rectangular tarp for the middle (with whatever length drop-4foot, 8 foot, etc.). These are referred to as lumber tarps. The ones that are usually rectangular are called machine tarps. Then there is the ever- popular coil tarp (for coils of steel or aluminum).

Best Tarps at good prices

Tarps4Less offers the lowest prices on quality American and Imported Truck Tarps. Tarps4Less has been selling and shipping quality Lumber Tarps, Plywood/Wallboard Tarps, Steel Tarps as well as custom Truck Tarps along with its complete line of Cargo Controls for over 10 years throughout the lower 48 states.