Showing all 2 resultsSorted by price: high to low
Aluminum Products
37 Products
Chains and Binders
13 Products
Corner Edge Protectors
17 Products
Other Equipment
48 Products
Shop By Trailer Type
107 Products
Straps
23 Products
Tarp Bungee Cords
1 Products
Tarps
25 Products
Wide Load Signs & Accessories
12 Products6 Ft Drop Tarps
Truck Trailer Pro
Sales & Support
Powered by Truck Trailer Pro
Coupon Code
00:00:00
🎉 New Year Special Offer!
Hurry up! Limited time offer - Start the year right!
NEWCLI
Valid on orders
No minimum purchase!
6 ft drop tarps are the workhorse of the U.S. flatbed industry — the size every lumber hauler, dimensional freight broker and standard-flatbed owner-operator runs by default. Dimensional lumber bundles, palletized building materials, machinery in transport frames and most mixed flatbed freight ride between 4 and 6 feet above the deck — exactly the height a 6 ft drop is engineered to seal. This sub-category covers every 6 ft drop tarp Truck Trailer Pro stocks plus the spec sheet you need to confirm 6 ft is the right call for your trailer and freight profile.
If your load runs shorter than 48 inches above the deck, see 4 ft drop tarps. Taller loads up to 8 ft above the deck need 8 ft drop tarps; oversize freight steps up to 10 ft drop or 12 ft drop. For the full size-matching math, the canonical reference is our Flatbed Tarp Sizes Guide. Return to the parent Truck Tarps hub for the full catalog.
Why 6 Ft Drop Is the Flatbed Industry Default
Three structural reasons make 6 ft drop the most-ordered tarp size in U.S. flatbed work — none of them marketing claims, all measurable on the loading dock.
- Standard lumber bundle height: Dimensional lumber bundles (2×4, 2×6, 2×8 stacked to 4 high) ride at 60–72 inches above the deck — within 6 ft drop coverage at every stop.
- Palletized freight average: Most pallets stacked to 5 ft tall plus the pallet itself put cargo at 65–72 inches, again clean for a 6 ft drop.
- Cost-to-coverage ratio: Stepping up to 8 ft drop adds 30–40% weight and material cost for capacity you do not use 90% of the time. Stepping down to 4 ft drop leaves common lumber loads exposed at the bottom edge.
Industry data backs the positioning: 6 ft drop accounts for roughly 55–65% of all flatbed tarp purchases in U.S. freight markets year over year. If you only own one set of flatbed tarps for general work, 6 ft drop is the size to own.
When to Use a 6 Ft Drop Tarp
| Load Type | Typical Height Above Deck | Why 6 Ft Drop Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensional lumber (2×4, 2×6, 2×8 stacked) | 60–72 in | Standard mill bundle heights ride right at 6 ft drop coverage |
| Palletized building materials (drywall, sheathing, roofing) | 55–70 in | Drywall stacks and roofing bundles fit cleanly with overlap on every side |
| Machinery in low transport frames | 48–66 in | Generators, compressors and engines on frames ride within 6 ft coverage |
| Steel sheet bundles & aluminum coil | 36–60 in | Low-profile steel work fits 6 ft drop without dragging or wasting fabric |
| Mixed flatbed freight (general LTL) | Up to 72 in | One size handles 80%+ of mixed-freight days |
| Step-deck rear-deck loads at full height | ~72 in | 6 ft drop seals the lower step without dragging the deck |
6 Ft Drop vs Adjacent Sizes — When to Step Up or Down
| Spec | 4 Ft Drop | 6 Ft Drop | 8 Ft Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max load height above deck | 48 in | 72 in | 96 in |
| Typical weight | 25–35 lbs | 45–60 lbs | 70–90 lbs |
| Solo tarping time | 15–20 min | 25–35 min | 35–45 min |
| Best load match | Step deck, pallets | Lumber, mixed flatbed | Tall lumber, steel coil |
| Market share (est.) | ~15% | ~55–65% | ~20–25% |
Sizing math beyond drop height (width, length, 2-piece vs 3-piece sets) is covered in detail in our Flatbed Tarp Sizes Guide.
Standard 6 Ft Drop Tarp Sizes
Two stock cuts cover 90% of standard-flatbed work, plus custom builds for anything outside the norm. Each cut ships with the same construction baseline: 3 rows of stainless-steel D-rings, brass grommets every 24 inches, heat-sealed seams and reinforced corner pockets.
- 27′ × 20′ single-piece tarp with 6 ft × 6 ft drops — covers a 28 ft, 35 ft or 40 ft flatbed run with one piece; preferred for owner-operators running short or regional lanes
- 2-piece set covering full 48 ft flatbeds with overlap zone — the standard configuration for OTR lumber work and any 48 ft flatbed running daily
- Custom builds — any length up to 24 × 60 ft, any color, any D-ring spacing, 5–10 business day production
Tarping Time & Tarp Pay Economics on 6 Ft Drop
6 ft drop is also the sweet spot for tarp pay revenue. Most carriers pay $50–$100 per tarped load; an experienced driver tarping a 6 ft drop 2-piece set solo finishes in 25–35 minutes. That works out to roughly $100–$240 per hour of tarping labor — meaningfully better than the same driver’s seated CPM rate. The 2-piece set is the preferred configuration for fleet tarp-pay loads because it lets a solo driver build the front-piece-first sequence covered in our step-by-step tarping guide.
Build Quality on Every 6 Ft Drop SKU
- 18 oz vinyl-coated polyester base — waterproof, UV-stable, cold-crack rated to -40 °F
- 3 D-ring rows — matches FMCSA tie-down spacing under 49 CFR 393.110 for properly secured loads
- Brass grommets every 24 inches around the full perimeter
- Heat-sealed seams instead of stitch-only — no freeze-thaw seam leaks
- Reinforced corner pockets with double-stitched edge binding
- Available colors: black (standard), blue, red, custom for fleet branding
A 6 ft drop tarp is weather protection only — it does not replace independent cargo securement. FMCSA rules under 49 CFR 393 still require properly rated chains and binders or straps at the prescribed working load limit for the cargo. For full pre-roll process, see the step-by-step tarping guide.
Shipping & Warranty
- In-stock shipping: Same business day if ordered before 1 PM CT
- Continental U.S. delivery: 1–5 business days
- Custom 6 ft drop builds: 5–10 business day production
- Warranty: 1-year material defect coverage on stock SKUs, 6 months on custom
- Returns: 30 days on unused, uncut standard stock
- Volume pricing: Automatic for fleet orders of 5+ tarps
Frequently Asked Questions About 6 Ft Drop Tarps
- Why is 6 ft drop the standard size for lumber loads?
Dimensional lumber bundles from U.S. mills are stacked to a typical 60–72 inch height above the deck. A 6 ft (72 in) drop covers that height with a clean perimeter seal, while a 4 ft drop would leave the bottom exposed and an 8 ft drop wastes 30–40% extra material and weight for capacity you do not use. - What size 6 ft drop tarp do I need for a 48 ft flatbed?
A 48 ft flatbed needs a 2-piece 6 ft drop set with overlap — typically two 27 × 20 ft pieces. A single-piece 27 × 20 ft tarp covers a 28 ft to 40 ft flatbed; for full 48 ft coverage, the 2-piece set is the standard. - Is a 6 ft drop tarp heavy enough for daily OTR use?
Yes. Our 6 ft drop tarps are built from 18 oz vinyl with 3 D-ring rows, heat-sealed seams and reinforced corners — the same construction grade used by commercial fleets running 100,000+ miles per year. Expected service life under daily use is 3–5 years. - Can I use a 6 ft drop tarp on a step deck?
Yes, on full-height loads riding on the rear lower deck. The 6 ft drop covers the load without dragging the deck because step-deck loads sit lower overall. For shorter step-deck loads under 48 inches tall, a 4 ft drop is the better fit. - How long does it take to solo-tarp a 6 ft drop 2-piece set?
25–35 minutes for an experienced driver, 40–50 minutes for the first dozen loads of a new driver. At typical $50–$100 tarp pay rates, that works out to $100–$240 per hour of tarping labor. - Do 6 ft drop tarps come with flaps?
The 27 × 20 single-piece SKU includes a front flap to seal against the headboard. The 2-piece set ships without a front flap because the rear piece overlaps the front piece to create the same wind seal — the industry-standard 2-piece configuration. - What is the price difference between a single 6 ft drop tarp and a 2-piece set?
Single-piece 27 × 20 with flap runs around $420; 2-piece set covering full 48 ft flatbed work runs around $800. For fleet operations where most days run a 48 ft flatbed, the 2-piece set is the better cost-per-mile investment.
Browse 6 Ft Drop Tarps Below
Pick the right 6 ft drop SKU from the products list below. If you are switching from a smaller fleet operation to OTR work and not sure whether the single-piece or 2-piece set fits your daily lane, give us a call — we have built tarp orders for owner-operators and 300-truck fleets and will help you land on the right configuration first time.
Free Shipping
On All Orders
Free Shipping
Money Back Guarantee
Support 24 / 7
Customer Care Live Support
Engagement
Truck Trailer Pro
Responsible Driver
Safety Comes First
Satisfaction
Exceeding Your Expectations Store Pickup
Everyday Store Pick Up
100% Safe & Secure
Security Checkout
Don't miss out on exlusive offers and personelized advice!
Receive 1 weekly email with unbeatable, pro tips, and event highlights.