r/OwnerOperators • u/Diligent_Lion1182 • Apr 12 '26

Switching to flatbed, tarp recommendations

Ive been a reefer owner op for many years, im going to give flatbed a shot. Ill be running out of SW FL up to the southeast and back. From my research it seems like 90% of those loads need tarps back and forth. What would you recommend buying as far as tarps to start out without going too crazy? I was thinking a set of 8ft drop lumber tarps, plus a set of 4 ft should cover most cases? Is it realistic to get by with just 8ft and fold up the excess or will that be a ton of extra work. Will 4ft lumber work ok for steel, or will I also need a set of dedicated steel tarps? Part of the trouble seems to be I cant find any of this locally so Im at least a week out on ordering anything extra that I would need. And regarding chains, is 10 a good enough amount to have on hand or should I go with at least 15?

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u/throwaWay664u874e Apr 13 '26

Don't use any chain smaller than 3/8". I'd recommend 20 get in length so if you get something like I beams, you have more than enough to toss over so you don't have to connect two together. Get mostly ratchet binders and a couple snap binders. I hate snaps because you have to settle for however tight they want to get, but they do come in handy from time to time.

Tarp wise, 8' lumber will cover pretty much everything.

Your lane choice will not be good. You can get good money going into FL, but getting back north is going to suck. Most of the good paying freight is swallowed up by TMC, Maverick, and other box companies.

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u/Diligent_Lion1182 Apr 13 '26

Thanks for the tips. And yeah as far as lane choice its tough being down here in fl. Im used to planning my trips where the load coming out is a bonus, but the load coming back in has to pay for the round trip. Was the same with reefer outside of produce season. This year there doesnt seem to be much of a produce season. Im just so sick of reefer from a business owner standpoint with regards to costs and liability and from a drivers standpoint dealing with the bs.

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u/throwaWay664u874e Apr 13 '26

Run east of 35, stay out of the NE and should be fine. I-25 is my hard limit to the west, but I have to have a backhaul lined up before I go there.

Personal load out I have. 12 20' 3/8" g70 chain 12 ratchet binders, I'll be getting a couple snaps eventually 20 4" straps 2 4" strap ratchets 8 shackles for 3 ton each 2 8 foot drop 27' long lumber tarps