Tying down tarps.

my rope is only 100 feet. i just run em through the rings. then put fold the tarp and put rope under the hooks. then tie rope. and tenstion the rope as i go down the side. then tie other end.

but first, i bungee the front and rear. try to limit the amount of times i have to climb up on the trailer. then run the rope. fix any loose areas. throw straps if i have too. and away i go.

everybody has there own flavor though. basically whatever works for you.

 

I've only had 1 tarp with a flap (and it got stolen on my third trip) but what I did was lace the flap's d-rings just like you would a shoe, but from top to bottom then tied the rope ends.

 

I never liked rope because it loses tension and tarps start billowing out.

Now rubber rope I love though.

Whatever works for ya.

 

Oh yeah, has to be rubber rope (shock-cord) for it to work. Regular nylon rope is really only good for having on the 4 corners of the tarp to do a quick securement when a place wants you to tarp outside. i always throw the tarps on the load anyways and tie the 4 corners down and roll out the door. they may not like it but too friggin bad.

 

Awesome idea about carabiners!

 

Try a roll of rubber rope and you never go back.
And the hooks go on and off easier, yet hold well.
Also with rubber rope, you have less hooks near the tarp and load.
I generally use just one or two down the sizes weaving it.
With rubber rope, I can use a smoke tarp for a steel coil and it works better than my coil bag.

 

Rubber rope is fine, but weak. It nicks and snaps easily. You can also buy SJ hooks to make custom length bungees. This allows you to use broken strands of rubber rope or the stronger shock cord to make bungees. I keep a few lengths of this in my truck. If you run across Nebraska and Wyoming, I would use shock cord or rope, or double up on the rubberrope. Around $50 a 150 ftroll

Shock Cord is stronger than rubber rope and lasts longer because it is more resistant to abrasions and cutting. It holds better because it is basically elastic strands wrapped in a nylon(i think) outer layer. It only stretches so far before the outer layer reaches its limit unlike rubber rope which is more like to stretch till it snaps. The sj hooks can also be used with shock cord to make bungees. This is more ideal for high wind situations. The problem is when you have it going across or around corners or rubbing on the tarp because it will rub throught the tarp and make holes. This is usually only an issue on oddball shaped loads or the front corners. $75 for 300 foot roll of 3/8"

Regular bungee cords(tarp straps) are not that expensive aslong as you get them somewhere other than your regular truck stops. Try trailer supply shops instead. A box of 50 will cost less than $100. I usually get 21" length.

All that being said, I use a combination of all of these. Including rope. I have zinc plated tarp hooks on every single crossmember on my flatbed so I always have a proper anchor point. I use shockcord on the sides, and strands of rubber rope and bungies for the front flap. If the shock cord is starting to get torn in certain areas I will tie it off on both the hook before and after the break. Just incase it snaps mid trip. The shock cord strands stay in the tarp on the d rings all the time, so next time I tarp each row of d rings already has it there ready to go. Another O/O in our company had every single d ring on his tarps with carabiners. Using the shock cord and tarp hooks on the trailer he was very fast. If your trailer is not setup with tarp hooks though, I would just use bungees.

Edit: I forgot to mention that regardless which you use, try to avoid running them over sharp corners like on the stake pockets.

 

I seen a guy next to me using rubber rope. I asked him if its better then bungee cord , he said bungee is time consuming, rubber rope is a lot quick, but tends to loose tension as your driving.. He said he's too lazy to use bungee cord , he prefers rubber rope :-/
I just started flatbedding OP , I love using the bungee cords it's secures the tarp great.. And there's some great videos on YOU TUBE, They go over step by step really help ful

Thank's
Johnny