Confirm flatbed tarping needs before carrier assignment, considering commodity sensitivity, sharp edges, tarp size and pickup or delivery-site requirements.
In This Guide
What It Means
Shippers may request tarping for weather-sensitive steel, machinery, building materials and finished products. Requirements depend on the product, packaging and expected exposure—not every open-deck shipment needs the same protection.
Why It Matters
OTR coordinates legal-dimension and legal-weight flatbed and open-deck freight only. OTR does not arrange oversized, overweight or permit-required shipments.
How It Works
- Provide the dimensions of the loaded cargo and required coverage so tarp size and equipment compatibility can be confirmed.
- Identify sharp edges, protrusions and surfaces needing protection. Communicate edge-protection and handling instructions to the carrier.
- Confirm loading-site and unloading-site requirements, access, appointments and who prepares or removes shipper packaging.
- Confirm shipment-specific tarp capability and instructions before carrier assignment rather than adding them at pickup.
Common Challenges
Tarping does not guarantee protection against every condition. Wind, moisture, handling and packaging can still affect freight; confirm the product owner’s protection requirements.
Best Practices
The selected carrier confirms the proposed tarp arrangement for the actual shipment. Tarp attachment is not a substitute for cargo securement, and this guide does not approve either setup.
When to Use This Service
Planning references are not an engineered securement design, legal advice, approval or a release determination. The motor carrier and driver remain responsible for final cargo securement and regulatory compliance.
Plan compatible open-deck capacity using complete shipment details.
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