Tarping Flatbed Loads: Types, Techniques & Pay
Tarping is one of the most physically demanding parts of flatbed trucking. It is also one of the reasons flatbed drivers earn more than dry van drivers. This guide covers every tarp type, proper tarping techniques, safety protocols, typical tarp pay rates, and your rights as a driver when it comes to refusing unsafe tarping situations.
$50-$150
Tarp Pay Per Tarp
15-60 min
Tarping Time Per Load
4 Types
Common Tarp Styles
$800-$2,000
Complete Tarp Kit Cost
O Trucking Editorial Team
Trucking Industry Experts
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Dispatch Team
5+ years dispatching flatbed owner-operators across all 48 states
This article was written by the O Trucking editorial team with 9+ years of combined trucking industry experience. Learn more about us.
O TruckingTarping Flatbed Loads: Types, Techniques & Pay (2026)
Why Tarping Matters in Flatbed Trucking
Tarping serves two primary purposes: protecting the freight from weather damage and preventing loose materials from blowing off the trailer and creating road hazards. Many shippers require tarping to protect their product from rain, snow, UV exposure, and road debris. Even when a shipper does not require it, some loads must be tarped under federal cargo securement rules to prevent material from dislodging during transit.
A freight claim for water-damaged lumber, rusted steel, or contaminated building materials can cost thousands of dollars. If the rate confirmation specified tarping and the driver failed to tarp properly, the driver or carrier is liable for the damage. Proper tarping protects both the freight and your financial interests.
Liability Is Real
Types of Flatbed Tarps
Different loads require different tarps. Using the wrong tarp type leads to poor coverage, wind damage, and wasted time. Here are the four main tarp types every flatbed driver needs to understand:
Lumber Tarps (8' Drop)
Lumber tarps are the largest and most common flatbed tarp. They feature an 8-foot drop on the sides and a flap that covers the back of the load. Standard sizes are 20x28, 24x28, and 24x32 feet. Lumber tarps are made of heavy-duty 18 oz vinyl or polyester with reinforced D-rings along the edges for securing with bungee straps.
Used for: Bundled lumber, plywood, OSB, drywall, insulation, and any tall, uniform load that needs full side and top coverage. A single lumber tarp can cover most standard lumber loads up to 8 feet tall. Loads exceeding 24 feet in length require two lumber tarps with overlap.
Steel Tarps (4' Drop)
Steel tarps have a shorter 4-foot drop designed for low-profile loads like steel coils, steel plate stacks, pipe bundles, and rebar. Standard sizes are 16x24, 20x24, and 24x24 feet. They are lighter than lumber tarps, making them easier to deploy and retrieve for single drivers.
Used for: Steel coils, steel plate, flat-stacked materials, pipe, rebar bundles, and any load that sits low on the deck (under 4 feet tall). Steel tarps are the workhorse for most metal freight.
Smoke Tarps (Coil Tarps)
Smoke tarps are small square or rectangular tarps (typically 6x8, 8x10, or 10x12 feet) designed to cover individual items on a load. They get their name from being used to cover steel coils from exhaust smoke and road spray. They are lightweight and quick to deploy.
Used for: Individual steel coils, machinery components, small palletized items on a flatbed, and any spot coverage needed. Drivers typically carry 2-4 smoke tarps of different sizes.
Machinery Tarps (Custom/Oversized)
Machinery tarps are oversized tarps designed for irregularly shaped freight like construction equipment, industrial machinery, generators, and transformers. They come in various sizes and often feature extra-long drops (6-10 feet) to drape over tall, wide equipment. Some are custom-made for specific freight dimensions.
Used for: Construction equipment, industrial machines, generators, HVAC units, and any oversized or irregularly shaped load. These tarps are expensive ($300-$800 each) but necessary for specialized flatbed work.
| Tarp Type | Drop Height | Common Sizes | Weight | Cost Each |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumber Tarp | 8 ft | 20x28 - 24x32 | 55-80 lbs | $200-$400 |
| Steel Tarp | 4 ft | 16x24 - 24x24 | 30-50 lbs | $150-$300 |
| Smoke Tarp | N/A | 6x8 - 10x12 | 8-15 lbs | $40-$100 |
| Machinery Tarp | 6-10 ft | Custom | 40-100 lbs | $300-$800 |
Tarping Techniques Step-by-Step
Proper tarping technique saves time, protects freight, and reduces the risk of injury. Here is the standard process used by experienced flatbed drivers:
Step 1: Inspect the load — Before tarping, walk around the entire load and confirm all securement (chains, binders, straps) is properly tensioned. A tarp applied over poorly secured freight will shift in transit and tear the tarp. Also check for sharp edges or protrusions that could puncture the tarp — use cardboard or rubber corner protectors on sharp metal edges.
Step 2: Position the tarp — Roll or fold the tarp on the ground next to the trailer. For lumber tarps, climb to the top of the load (using the trailer's headboard or a ladder) and pull the folded tarp up. Unroll it from front to back, letting the sides drape evenly. The front flap should wrap around the headboard or front edge of the load first.
Step 3: Secure the front — Attach bungee straps from the front tarp D-rings to the trailer's rub rail or stake pockets. The front must be tight because wind pressure at highway speeds tries to peel the tarp from front to back. If the front is loose, the entire tarp can balloon and tear off at 60 mph.
Step 4: Secure the sides — Work from front to back, attaching bungee straps every 2-3 feet along the sides. Pull the tarp tight against the load to minimize air pockets. Loose spots create wind billows that act like sails and can rip the tarp or shift the load. On windy days, attach straps every 18-24 inches for extra security.
Step 5: Secure the back flap — Fold the rear flap over the back of the load and strap it down. Make sure the flap overlaps the side tarps to prevent rain from running behind the tarp. The back flap should be the last thing secured and the first thing released when untarping.
Step 6: Final walk-around — Walk around the entire load one more time. Check that no straps are hanging loose (they can catch wind and whip), no tarp edges are flapping, and the tarp is drum-tight everywhere. Re-tension any loose sections. Check again at your first fuel stop — tarps loosen as they flex during the first 50-100 miles.
Tarp From the Wind Side
Tarping Safety Protocols
Tarping is one of the leading causes of injury in flatbed trucking. Falls from loads, back injuries from lifting heavy tarps, and hand injuries from bungee straps are common. Follow these safety protocols:
Fall Prevention
Never jump from a load to the ground. Use the trailer's built-in steps, the headboard ladder, or a portable ladder. Always maintain three points of contact when climbing. Wet or icy loads are extremely slippery — use extra caution in rain, frost, or snow. Falls from flatbed loads account for more lost-time injuries than any other flatbed hazard.
Lifting Technique
A wet lumber tarp can weigh over 100 lbs. Lift with your legs, not your back. When pulling a tarp up to the top of a load, use a hand-over-hand rope pull rather than trying to deadlift the entire tarp at once. Consider investing in a tarp roller system that mounts to the headboard and mechanically winds tarps up for easier deployment.
Bungee Strap Safety
Bungee straps under tension can snap back and cause serious eye and face injuries. Always wear safety glasses when attaching or removing bungee straps. Hook the strap from a position where your face is not in the snap-back path. Replace worn straps with cracked rubber or bent hooks — they fail without warning.
Wind Conditions
Do not attempt to tarp in sustained winds above 25 mph or gusts above 35 mph. A lumber tarp in high wind acts as a sail and can pull a driver off the top of a load. If wind conditions are dangerous, communicate with your dispatcher and the shipper about waiting for conditions to improve. Your safety is worth more than any load.
Tarp Pay Rates & Negotiation
Tarp pay compensates drivers for the extra time, physical effort, and equipment wear involved in tarping loads. Here are typical tarp pay rates across the industry:
| Driver Type | Per Tarp | Per Load (Flat) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Driver | $50-$75 | $50-$100 | Paid by carrier, set policy |
| Owner-Operator (leased) | $75-$100 | $75-$150 | Negotiable with carrier |
| Owner-Operator (own authority) | $100-$150 | $100-$300+ | Negotiate directly on rate con |
Always get tarp pay in writing — Before accepting any flatbed load that requires tarping, confirm the tarp pay amount on the rate confirmation. Verbal promises of tarp pay often go unpaid. If the rate confirmation does not list tarp pay as a separate line item, ask the broker to add it before you dispatch on the load.
Tarp Pay Math for Owner-Operators
When You Can Refuse to Tarp
Drivers have the right to refuse tarping under specific circumstances. Understanding your rights prevents disputes with shippers and brokers:
Unsafe weather conditions — High winds (25+ mph sustained), lightning, freezing rain, or ice on the load/trailer create unsafe tarping conditions. FMCSA regulations give drivers the right to refuse any task that poses an unreasonable safety risk. Document the conditions (photos, weather reports) in case of disputes.
Tarping not in rate confirmation — If the shipper or broker did not disclose tarping requirements before you arrived and the rate confirmation does not mention tarping, you have grounds to negotiate additional tarp pay or refuse the tarping requirement. Get any changes in writing before tarping.
No safe access to load top — If the load is stacked in a way that makes it impossible to safely climb to the top without proper equipment (ladders, platforms), and the shipper does not provide access equipment, you can refuse until safe access is provided. Some shippers have loading docks with platforms specifically for tarping.
Physical injury or medical condition — If you are injured or have a medical condition that prevents safe tarping, document it and communicate with your dispatcher. Driving while injured from a tarping incident is both unsafe and potentially a liability issue.
Essential Tarping Equipment Checklist
Every flatbed driver should carry these items for efficient, safe tarping:
Tarps (minimum set) — 2 lumber tarps (24x28), 2 steel tarps (20x24), and 2-4 smoke tarps in various sizes. Total investment: $800-$1,500 for quality tarps that will last 2-3 years with proper care.
Bungee straps — At least 30 rubber bungee straps with S-hooks in 15-inch, 21-inch, and 31-inch lengths. Replace any strap showing cracked rubber or bent hooks. Budget $50-$100 for a full set.
Corner protectors — Rubber or cardboard corner protectors prevent sharp load edges from cutting through tarps and straps. Carry at least 20. Cost: $30-$60 for a set of reusable rubber protectors.
Safety gear — Safety glasses (required for bungee work), heavy-duty work gloves, non-slip boots, and a hard hat for tarping under overhead structures. High-visibility vest for tarping in shipping yards.
Tarp roller or winder (optional but recommended) — A manual or powered tarp winder mounts to the headboard and rolls tarps up for easier deployment and storage. Costs $200-$500 but saves significant time and back strain over a year of flatbed work.
Tarp Maintenance Extends Tarp Life
The Bottom Line
Tarping is a core skill for every flatbed driver. It is physically demanding, time-consuming, and sometimes dangerous — but it is also one of the reasons flatbed rates are higher than dry van rates. Proper tarping technique protects freight, prevents liability claims, and earns you tarp pay that adds $50-$150+ per load.
Invest in quality tarps and equipment, learn proper techniques, and always negotiate tarp pay into your rate confirmation. Know your rights regarding unsafe tarping conditions and never risk injury for a load. The best flatbed drivers view tarping as a revenue opportunity, not just a chore.
For more on flatbed trucking, see our guides on flatbed load securement, flatbed freight types, and flatbed owner-operator guide.
Tarping Flatbed Loads FAQ
Common questions about tarp types, tarping techniques, tarp pay, and driver rights
How much does tarp pay typically add per load?
Tarp pay ranges from $50 to $150 per tarp applied, depending on the carrier, broker, and load type. Some flatbed carriers pay a flat tarp fee of $75 per load regardless of the number of tarps, while others pay per tarp. Steel tarps and smoke tarps that require more effort typically command higher tarp pay than simple lumber tarps. Owner-operators should always negotiate tarp pay into the rate confirmation before accepting a load that requires tarping. Some loads requiring 4 or more tarps can add $300 to $600 in tarp pay to the total load revenue.
Can a flatbed driver refuse to tarp a load?
Yes, a flatbed driver can refuse to tarp a load under certain conditions. If tarping creates an unsafe situation due to extreme weather (high winds over 25 mph, lightning, ice on the trailer), the driver has the right to refuse under FMCSA safety regulations. If the shipper did not disclose tarping requirements before pickup and it was not in the rate confirmation, the driver can negotiate additional tarp pay or decline. Company drivers should check their carrier policy, as some companies require tarping as part of the job. Owner-operators have more flexibility to refuse loads that require tarping if the pay does not justify the extra work and risk.
What equipment do I need for tarping flatbed loads?
At minimum, a flatbed driver needs 2 to 4 tarps of different sizes (typically one 8x24 lumber tarp, one 6x24 steel tarp, and one or two 8x10 or 10x12 smoke tarps), at least 20 bungee straps or rubber tarp straps with S-hooks, a tarp flapper or tarp wind guard set, work gloves rated for heavy material handling, and non-slip boots for climbing on loads. Many drivers also carry a tarp roller or tarp winder tool to make folding and storing tarps easier. A complete tarping kit costs $800 to $2,000 for quality tarps and accessories. Cheap tarps wear out quickly and tear in wind, costing more in replacements.
How long does it take to tarp a flatbed load?
Tarping time varies significantly by load type and tarp count. A single lumber tarp over a uniform load like bundled lumber takes 15 to 30 minutes for an experienced driver. Steel coils requiring multiple smoke tarps can take 30 to 60 minutes. A full machinery tarp over an irregular-shaped piece of equipment can take 45 minutes to over an hour. New flatbed drivers should expect tarping to take 50 to 100 percent longer than experienced drivers until they develop efficient techniques. Weather conditions, especially wind, can double tarping time. Plan for tarping time when calculating your daily productivity and per-mile earnings.
Need Help Finding Well-Paying Flatbed Loads?
Our dispatch team finds flatbed loads with proper tarp pay included. We negotiate tarp fees on your behalf so you get paid for your time and effort.