Roping and Sheeting

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
101

K.Adams:
My sheeting is getting alot better

lucky this load I had a sheet with rope on

I am getting better but finding a decent sheet in our place or straps and rope is trying to find a needle in a haystack

OK K. Adams.
Seeing as you aren’t going to ask what I see wrong with this attempt at sheeting a load, I will tell you. As you have mentioned before, you haven’t done much in the way of sheeting and if that’s true, you haven’t done that bad.
Anyway, here goes. It’s too loose everywhere. You haven’t pulled it tight front to back or top to bottom or enveloped either end.

So for those that want an insight into sheeting a load properly.
When laying a sheet over a load like this, it’s put the back sheet on first. Unroll it along the top of the load and adjust it evenly. Making sure the sheet hangs over the sides at equal lengths. Pull enough of the sheet forwards or backwards to make sure the covering is enough to reach the trailer bed at the back but no more. Walk around the trailer pulling out all the little ropes caught up under the sheet, to save you having to find them and dig them out later. Starting at the front. Grab a corner of the sheet and start rolling it up until it is level with the trailer bed. Rap the attached rope around the rolled up part of the sheet using a half hitch. With the length of rope that is left, tie it temporarily, to a forward hook pulling it tight enough to take the weight but not enough to pull the sheet from the back. Do the same with both sides. Walk to the back of the sheet and grab hold of the bottom corner and roll it up again until it’s level with the bottom of the trailer bed again. With the rope that should be attached to the corner of the sheet you just rolled up, rap it around the rolled up part of the sheet and tie it off using another half hitch. With the rope that is left, cross it over the trailer, bringing the sheet with it :laughing: and using dolly knot, stretch the sheet across the back of the load as tightly as possible. Do this on both sides of the load. Go back to the front of the sheet and using another dolly knot, stretch the sheet as far forward as poss’. If you look at the top of the load you will now see that pulling the sheet forward at the bottom only, it has rippled. If you want a tidy looking job and reduce the sheet flapping when travelling, it is important to re-adjust the top of the sheet at this point by climbing back on top of the trailer and pulling the top front of the sheet forward.
Walk back to the rear of the trailer and dig out the “flap”. It is tucked away behind the mess left when crossing over the rear corners. Pull it out and tidy it up. You should be left with a piece of sheet resembling an envelope flap but square. Pinch the bottom corners of the flap and using the nearest, longest piece of rope you fished out earlier, tie a half hitch around the part of the sheet you pinched and pull it tight and tie it off using a dolly if poss’. Walk to the front of the sheet and pull the bottom front corners tight again. Work your way along both sides of the trailer pulling the sheet down as tightly as possible, tucking in any untidy areas but always leaving enough to cover the trailer bed/side. With all the little ropes, first rap each one around a trailer hook, using a half hitch, before diverting it through the eye in the triangular flaps shown in K. Adams’ photo’s and again using a dolly knot, stretch the sheet as tight as you can get it. Repeat the procedure with the front sheet.
When it comes to securing the load. Whether using ropes or straps, pull down and tuck between the trailer and rope/strap all the loose sheet you find created below the triangles when tightening down on them.

For those that are asking themselves, “why always start at the back”. It’s because if you put the front sheet on first, the back sheet will end up on top of the front sheet. With the back sheet being on the top, where the sheets overlap, the wind will easily lift the rear sheet. When your travelling along there is an umpteen mile an hour wind blowing strong enough to lift any sheet high enough for rain to enter and create all kinds of air pressure under the sheets, which in turn will eventually loosen all your ties and screw up your load. Not to mention increase fuel consumption.

If you have an uneven load, it is always best to complete the job with a fly sheet, if your boss isn’t too tight to supply them. And look out for any sharp edges or corners that could cut or rip the sheets. They will need to be packed out with any old rag or bits of cardboard box you can find.

102

Don’t forget to fold the bottom sheet back on itself for a foot at the front before putting front sheet on,makes a perfect seal.Used to be a question about this in the old class 1 HGV test.

103

welshphil:
Don’t forget to fold the bottom sheet back on itself for a foot at the front before putting front sheet on,makes a perfect seal.Used to be a question about this in the old class 1 HGV test.

Nice touch. I never knew that one.

104

tachograph:

timmo:
I know i’m not the worlds foremost authority on R&S but what’s a monkeys fist?

Click the image for more detail.

I’m sure I’m not the first,but where would you find a monkeys fist■■?
One foot from his elbow!!! :frowning: :frowning: :frowning:

105


Full shoot of water melons from Greece to UK a good way to lose a pound or 2 sheeting these up believe me, did’nt break a melon though, excuse the ropes over the drip sheet & Tyson thought I’d gone to Southampton with his trombone!

106

fly sheet:

Full shoot of water melons from Greece to UK a good way to lose a pound or 2 sheeting these up believe me, did’nt break a melon though, excuse the ropes over the drip sheet & Tyson thought I’d gone to Southampton with his trombone!

Dunno what happened to the unit !!!

107

Now i’ve never roped and sheeted before, never needed to. I can tie a dolly only because i’ve practiced doing one and looked at diagrams etc. on the net. I’ve always liked the look of a nice r+s load, think it looks good and professional, a subtle statement of a lorry drivers art. I wonder if the truckfest organisers would consider putting on a demo? it’s something i would like to see demonstrated.

108

crickrichard:
Now i’ve never roped and sheeted before, never needed to. I can tie a dolly only because i’ve practiced doing one and looked at diagrams etc. on the net. I’ve always liked the look of a nice r+s load, think it looks good and professional, a subtle statement of a lorry drivers art. I wonder if the truckfest organisers would consider putting on a demo? it’s something i would like to see demonstrated.

Good idea Richard. They could have it going on all weekend. With different loads. Pulp, palette, paper reels, steal rolls, stillages, timber, coffee beans, machinery.
It would be the best part of the show. Something different and useful for a change. instead of looking at the same blinged up motors you’ve been looking at all year on the motorways? You might just as well stand on some overpass someplace.

109

Excellent idea and i’m sure the organizers could afford £100for the best sheeted load.

110

im 40 yr old got frozen shoulder on my left side hada op on the other last year but i still manage to rope and sheet loads all the tiem when require ok it may take me a but of time to do it but it gets done.
but we have drivers at our place who pick up trailers load with sheets folded on the back of the trl tied down but by the time they leave the yard they have frown the sheets off in the trl park and left them there.the reason is they do not want to learn how to do it.i have been on top of loads in the yard putting sheets out they come in see u need a hand but drop their trl get in their cars and sod off home saw 6 drivers do it once to me.so jumped down went in office told them to find someone else to do the job.he asked why i told him 6 guys saw me and not gave a hand to tie it down and rope it .he asked if i had finished it i said all corners are ties off but u can put one of them 6 on it tomorrow to finish it off as im not doing all the sheeting jobs and getting no help.came in at 4 and 2 of them was just starting to finish it off they asked why had not done it i turnd round because u lazy bunch came in saw i needed a hand but jumped in ur car so i had a word with the office and got another job.their excuse was they could not rope or sheet i said about time u did then and do more of it and help out more.
thats the problem these days young ones come into thsi jib want top range motors with on the back door to open and be home by 4 pm with their tea on the table.abouttiem they learnt how to do the job we all had to when we started.i did on my first day was shown 3 times how to do it over a week and then left to it.ok it was not a good job at first but it got better with time.

111

ROG:
I am not sure if the new INITIAL DRIVER CPC module 4 will include roping & sheeting, but in my opinion, it should do. It is likely to include the use of straps and chains.

It is covered a little, the canidate will be shown a chain, strap and rope and asked to select the correct restraint for a particular load and then to use that restraint on the “load trolley”, and also to return the restraint in its state.
Whislt it won’t address the whole issue it will raise awareness slightly for new drivers, and hopefully make them realise that pointing a truck from A - B is just 1 smal aspect of the job.

112

Used to back load out of Kenrt & Essex regular with a guy from Carlisle only had one hand other was a hook not sure think he worked for Daysons youngnud probably put me right anyway he could do the job as good & quick as any ablebodied person.

113

george3:
Did you reach lift off? That must have been flapping ready to take off.
Do you have an after the before photo?

Sorry to dissapoint you but it didnt flap at all

114

K.Adams:

george3:
Did you reach lift off? That must have been flapping ready to take off.
Do you have an after the before photo?

Sorry to dissapoint you but it didnt flap at all

Ye’ right.

115

Not a bad job k adams but at the back after you have tied the 2 sides across the back pull out the sheet thats tucked in over the top of the envelope fasten the 2 corners down & you will have anice neat flat bit that wont catch the wind. I think a nice little bit of friendly advice better than taking the pee :unamused:

116

the art of tying a dolly is easier than it looks i could tie a dolly and a double dolly before i could tie my laces but at 6 years old couldnt get the purchase on it so got it ready for my old man to put his boot on it and pull it down never see people do that very often either

117

matt f:
the art of tying a dolly is easier than it looks i could tie a dolly and a double dolly before i could tie my laces but at 6 years old couldnt get the purchase on it so got it ready for my old man to put his boot on it and pull it down never see people do that very often either

i stopped doing it after going on my arse in front of 3 drivers 2 weeeks after passing my test :blush:

118

matt f:
the art of tying a dolly is easier than it looks i could tie a dolly and a double dolly before i could tie my laces but at 6 years old couldnt get the purchase on it so got it ready for my old man to put his boot on it and pull it down never see people do that very often either

I to used my foot to pull down on it, especialy if the ropes were new and needed a bit more purchase.

119

here’s one i did yesterday. the front flapped like plug’s ears! :unamused:

120

My right boot was allways the one to go first had grooves bothsides of the boot just in front of the heel. :smiley: