Lumber tarps = flaps vs fitted

My lumber tarps always had flaps, but I also had a set of 2 piece 4 ft drops that were fitted on each end. One 20' long the other 32' long The fitted ones were my go to tarps.

I think a great set of lumber tarps, would be to have the front one fitted and the back one with flaps. Be better in the rain, than 2 flaps yet give you some flexibility for oddball freight.

 

If you're mainly hauling lumber I'd think fitted is best.

I helped a hay hauler tarp awhile back and he had fitted tarps. Seemed slick for that deal.

 

I think for me it would depend on length of trailer and the usual length of loads. And whether you carry steel tarps, and if the steel tarps have d-rings on all 4 sides.

I'm the opposite. I was "trained" on lumber or steel tarps with a flap. I wouldn't know how to tarp a 53' trailer without either end flaps or a 3 piece tarp system. I worked at one place that did a lot of insulation and 27x24 lumbers with flaps weren't big enough, there just wasn't enough overlap on a 53' load.

Personally, I have three 24' x 20' tarps now. No flaps. D rings on all 4 sides. I think if I add a 20'x24' with a flap I should be able to cover 90% of freight just fine.

 

I've used both, but I prefer the flapped.
It does take a little more time to do them, but they are more flexible when the loads aren't square.
You can be a little creative with the flaps and do a real nice presentation.

 

Over the years I have used a number of styles of tarps.
Fitted,(boxed some call them) Flap type and plain flat tarps.

Each has its pros and cons. I found that for me, fitted tarps are not the best choice. If the loads were more consistent in size and shape, they would be great. unfortunately not the case for me. For years I only carried 2 smoke/flat (10X12) tarps, a machine tarp (24X24) and a set of flap lumber tarps.