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What Is Tarping?

Covering open-deck freight. A plain-English trucking glossary entry for owner operators and small fleets.

Tarping: Tarping is covering a flatbed or step deck load with a tarp to protect it from weather and debris, then securing the tarp so it does not flap or come loose.

Why it matters to owner operators

Tarping takes time and skill, and some loads pay extra for it. Confirm whether tarps are required and whether the rate includes it.

Example

A driver tarps a load of lumber, then adds straps to keep the tarp tight at highway speed.

Related terms

Equipment & Trailers: Looking for freight that fits your equipment? See the equipment types we dispatch. Talk to our dispatch team or browse the full trucking glossary.

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