A tarp drop refers to a type of tarp used in the trucking industry to cover loads on flatbed trailers. The term “drop” indicates the height of the load from the trailer bed to the top. For instance, if a load is 6 feet high and 8 feet wide, it has an 6-foot drop on each side. To fully tarp load on the flatbed trailer, the tarp needs to be at least 20 feet wide. Drop tarps typically range from 20 to 24 feet in length and come in various drop sizes, including 4, 6, and 8 feet. They feature hanging flaps on each side that match the length of the drop. For example, a 6-foot drop tarp will have 6-foot hanging flaps.
The number of tarps required to cover a load depends on the trailer’s length and the load itself. A 53-foot flatbed trailer might need two tarps to cover the entire load, while a shorter trailer might need just one or two. The type of load also influences the tarp size needed. For example, steel loads are typically shorter, making 4-foot drop tarps common, whereas lumber loads often require 8-foot drop tarps.
Tarp drops enhance worker safety by eliminating the need to climb onto the truck bed for tarping, as demonstrated by SafeRack’s Truck Tarping System. This system allows tarping to be performed while the truck is being loaded, reducing tarping time and minimizing the risk of falls.
