transportation

Looking to go to MATS 2018? Well you'll definitely find Tarpstop there this year. With over 1100 exhibitors in over 1 million square feet of space; it is going to be a premier year for Tarpstop at the show and you won't want to miss what will be going on.  

We love trucking industry trade shows. Why? Because it gives us a chance to hear from you, our customers, directly. We get a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones along the way. We get to ask you what you like about our products, and we get to hear what you might wish we did differently. We get to talk to you about your business challenges and about your successes. All of these connections help us to serve you better, and that’s really what it’s all about. Running Through Walls, for you.

Tarpstop is proud to be a part of the Mid-America Trucking Show March 22 – 24 in Louisville, KY. Visit us at booth #18036 in the North Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center for demos and the latest of what is happening in the tarping industry.   

Interested in learning more about either our Fastrak system or how we can help you with your Cargo Control needs? Call one of the below locations today.

Owner-Operators have always been a number of things from risk takers, entrepreneurs to even farmers.  What is not as well known is many of these traits are shared by some of our most beloved presidents as well. 

The History of Presidents Day
Presidents’ Day was established in 1885 to honor George Washington and is still officially called "Washington's Birthday" by the federal government! Celebrated the third Monday in every February, it traditionally is celebrated on February 22 Washington’s actual birthday. The holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.

Presidents and Truckers....More alike then you Know!
They are always furthering their education: James Madison was Princeton University's first graduate student

They get creative nicknames: Zachary Taylor's nickname was "old rough and ready"

They never shy away from a good drink: Andrew Johnson was reportedly drunk during his Inauguration

They break the law: Ulysses S. Grant received a speeding ticket...on a horse!

They gamble: Warren Harding lost the White House china in a poker game

Some came from humble beginnings: Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer

Recently Tarpstop donated a WNL Product, Practi-TRAINER Essentials Universal AED Trainer. This kit comes with the AED Training module and Training pads for both Adult and Child/Infant training. With one of our very own Brian Peterson apart of the Corps we really thought this was a chance to make an impact on the local community up in Taylor, MI. Taylor CERT is known for being there for first aid needs at local events around the city and having this trainer gives them the opportunity not only to make sure the volunteers are properly trained on life saving response but also affords them the opportunity to invite the community to full service training in CPR and First Aid.

Taylor CERT is part of the local and national Citizens Corps effort to incorporate and utilize volunteers in the community. CERT members are trained in basic response techniques in order to assist local citizens and first responders in disaster or emergency situations.  

Safety is very important when it comes to transporting your load from one place to another. According to the FMCSA all tie-downs must be attached and secured so that it does not become loose or unfastened, open, or release during transit. The location of these tie-downs must be located inboard of the rub rails. The FMCSA also requires one tie-down to secure a load that is five feet or less in length and weighs 1,100 pounds or less.

How Tie-Downs Can Be Attached

One way a tie-down can be attached would be to find the anchored point on the trailer and connect it to the tie-down. Using chain or straps you would put it over or around the cargo to the other manufactured trailer point which can be considered an indirect tie-down method. Always be sure to check the weight load limit of the straps or chain you use along with yout tie down in order to drive safely down the road.

For a direct tie-down method the tie-down can be attached to the truck (or trailer) on one side, passed over the cargo and to the opposite side to the manufactured anchor point. 

Lastly, to prevent shifting or tipping, cargo is immobilized or secured on or within a vehicle by tiedowns along with:

• Blocking.
• Bracing.
• Friction mats.
• Other cargo.
• Void fillers.
• Combination of these.

FMCSA:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/cargo-securement/drivers-handbook-cargo-securement-chapter-2-general-cargo-securement

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/cargo-securement/cargo-securement-rules

https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/AEX-598.2-11

When looking to start in your flatbed career one of the first things you worry about is the cost of a rolling tarp system. All you start to see are dollar signs. After a while you feel like you just need to get the cheapest system on the market. This is where most go wrong, they look at their system and career as a sprint rather than a marathon. It is important not to just consider all the initial expenses but also the expenses you may spend after the purchase. 

Always remember to do your research, don't just look at the best price. See what each competitor knows about the industry and how they are willing to help you improve what you are hauling. Your service provider should know the ins and outs of your system so if you have any questions or need something that it is not a cookie cutter solution. One of the most important things to make sure of when choosing a provider is not just to choose one based on price but how they can save you money in the future. Your system provider should be able to see if there might be any issues or concerns with your system in the upcoming future and address them immediately. He or she should also be able to let you know about possible ways to upgrade your system to save a buck in the upcoming months. 

Remember, the key to saving money is building a lasting relationship. That is where the payoff comes into play down the road. When the person who services your tarping system runs through walls for you than you know you have the right provider. 

Interested in learning more about our Fastrak II system? Just click here or call one of our locations today!

Soon to take effect on December 16th, 2017 will be the new ELD or (electronic logging device) mandate. With this new rule drivers will no longer be required to keep and maintain paper logs. They will, however, be required to maintain supporting documentation and submit them to their carrier or, for owner-operators, keep them on file.  The new mandate, however, will not apply to drivers of vehicles built before the year 2000 — a change made from 2014’s proposed version of the rule. This still holds some challenges for owner operator's and how they are going to adjust to this. 

With this new rule, one of the biggest concerns on the horizon for drivers is downtime and service. Time on the road is now a chief concern, especially when getting either a small patch or service to their system. It is incredibly important that drivers start to make sure the service they are getting when down is considered a top priority. Some of the most important topics to research are not just how much a system might cost, but after you have the system how much does it cost to repair, how long will you have to leave the system with that company and do you get charged for service immediately or only for the work done. These are just a few of the questions to think of when doing your research. 

With the time getting closer and closer to this mandate becoming official Tarpstop wanted to reach out to say we've heard the concerns about this new rule. This is why Tarpstop wanted to state that it is now more than ever we stand behing our pledge to always be "Running Through Walls" for our customer's.  We know just how important it is to make sure that you're not just buying a product but you are also investing in a relationship. Interested in learning more call one of the below locations today.

June 6th through 8th is sure to be an interesting time. The CVSA will be conducting its 30th annual International Roadcheck. Make sure that all your tags are properly showing their load limits and that everything is strapped down correctly. They will be checking everything from brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline/driveshaft, exhaust systems and more. This year the CVSA will have a heavy focus on cargo securement. That was also the focus in the 2015 Roadcheck and more than 2,000 citations were issued.

Inspectors from the CVSA will primarily be conducting the North American Standard Level I Inspection, which is the most thorough roadside inspection. It is a 37-step procedure that includes an examination of both driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness. International Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world, with nearly 17 trucks or buses inspected, on average, every minute in Canada, the United States and Mexico during a 72-hour period. Since its inception, more than 1.5 million roadside inspections have been conducted during International Roadcheck campaigns.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

- In Canada, any sort of damage to the strap such as cuts or wears is a violation.

- Knots are not acceptable! Tie downs along with other securing devices must be secure.

- Make the tag visible! If it is not visible, it’s out of service.

- Always use a rated strap as your main source of cargo securement.

Interested in learning more. Call one of the below locations today.

TARPSTOP TOLEDO, OH
12000 WILLIAMS RD
PERRYSBURG, OH 43551
Phone: 419-873-7867