Learn how to tarp a flatbed trailer including types of tarps (lumber, smoke, steel, coil), proper technique for throwing and securing tarps, safety considerations, and when tarping is required. Includes tarp pay expectations from brokers.
return ( Why Tarping Matters Tarping protects freight from weather, road debris, and contamination during transit.
Many shippers require tarping as a condition of hauling their freight — especially lumber, steel, paper products, and machinery.
Beyond shipper requirements, properly tarping your load demonstrates professionalism and protects you from cargo claims.
Tarping is also one of the reasons flatbed freight pays more than dry van.
The extra labor and skill involved in tarping justifies higher rates and tarp pay from brokers.
Learning to tarp efficiently and safely is an essential flatbed skill.
Types of Flatbed Tarps Lumber Tarps Lumber tarps are the most common type used in flatbed hauling.
They're typically 24 feet wide by 27 feet long (24x27) with a 4-foot or 6-foot drop on the back.
The drop creates a flap that hangs down to cover the rear of the load.
Despite the name, lumber tarps aren't just for lumber.
They cover any load that sits on the deck and needs weather protection — building materials, drywall, palletized goods, machinery, and more.
A standard lumber tarp weighs 50–70 pounds and costs $200–$400.
Smoke Tarps (Nose Tarps) Smoke tarps are smaller tarps (typically 8x10 or 10x12 feet ) placed over the front of the load closest to the tractor exhaust stack.
Their primary purpose is to prevent diesel soot and exhaust residue from discoloring the front of the cargo.
They're commonly used on lumber, paper, and other light-colored materials that stain easily.
Smoke tarps weigh only 10–20 pounds and are quick to deploy.
Most flatbed operators carry at least two.
Steel Tarps Steel tarps are heavy-duty tarps designed to cover steel coils, beams, plate, and other metal products.
They're typically 16x27 feet or 20x27 feet with no drop — just a flat rectangle that drapes over the load.
Steel tarps are made from heavier material (typically 18-oz vinyl) to withstand the abrasion from metal edges.
They weigh 80–120 pounds, which makes them significantly harder to throw and position than lumber tarps.
Coil Tarps Coil tarps are shaped specifically to fit over steel coils sitting in cradles or on dunnage.
They're typically round or D-shaped, designed to contour around the coil profile.
Sizes vary based on coil dimensions but common sizes are 6x6, 7x7, and 8x8 feet .
Machine Tarps Machine tarps (also called equipment tarps) are oversized tarps for covering large machinery and equipment.
They can be 24x36 feet or larger.
These are heavy — 100+ pounds — and usually require two people to deploy.
How to Throw a Tarp: Step-by-Step Inspect the tarp on the ground — Unfold it enough to check for tears, missing grommets, or damaged D-rings.
A damaged tarp is worse than no tarp because it gives a false sense of protection while still allowing water in.
Position the tarp at the front of the load — For a lumber tarp, start at the front.
Fold the tarp in half lengthwise (so it's 12 feet wide instead of 24), then fol.
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