What’s the best way to tuck up a sheet to the deck when the sheet is draping the floor both sides when put over the load and the sheet is the type with the eyelets and pre attached 2ft rope?
Also when using the traditional roping of a sheet, what knot do you use on the first hook ? Just a loop / slip knot then chuck the rope over the load to start on the dollies?
with regards to the knot to start use either of the 2 suggestions, sheeting is it possible to fold the sheet in half to cover your load, if not then you will have to tuck under the sheet either side to the bottom of trailer bed
dolly knot
fold sheet underif to long and trap it on side of flat with the rope.
There should be eyelets further up the sheet, flick the sheet under and secure with these, the best and most used method to start the rope is with a loop which you can leave on the rope, I was shown by a driver how to get the dollies tight by using slack rope putting it under you’re boot and using you’re body weight to tighten the rope.
Its probably quite hard to learn today as few hauliers still use ropes and sheets and not many drivers left who know how to do it. I hated it, however there is a level of satisfaction when everything is neat and tight.
There was only eyelets on one side of the sheet for some bizzare reason. (Manufactured like that not missing) Obviously this side was relatively easy to do but the opposite side, I ended up having to tension the sheet / ropes by hooking and pulling horizontally like what you would do with a brick net.
Probably better to use a clove hitch or bowline for the initial attachment, then no matter how tight you make the dollies or double dollies and no matter how much the movement of the vehicle further tightens the initial tie point, you can get then undone. But if you use an overhand or fig eight, then that knot loop at the end may just become permanent.
I used to start it by bowline as mentioned (rabbit runs out the hole, round the tree then back down the hole etc 
). I used to have awkward flat loads with different heights along the flat. As mentioned, run the sheet back under itself along the length and trap with the tie downs from the eyelets and then use the main rope going over with the dollies to further secure. Adjust the shorter eyelet ropes accordingly to bring the skirt up.
If you ever really need leverage on a dolly you can dolly onto a dolly, run an extra dolly at an angle to pull on the tail of another. Boot principle always first though first and then try that - you shouldnt need to compound dolly knots for just sheets now load security is primarily with the straps or chains underneath. Top tip for tightening dollies is pull out the tail at 90 degrees, apply force THEN pull downwards and use boot and hand method.
I was far from well practiced, succered into rope and sheeting one day at 4:00am in 2001 when I arrived as a tramper into the yard in Lincs near Boston to be greeted by my scanny glued to a flat with ropes, sheets designed for spud loads, chains and pick ups for an on going contract off mil bases. No one in the yard or office had a clue (including now silent hitherto old ■■■■■■■ wise owls); ended up learning piece meal off my old man over the phone who was a bit of an expert from t’ day. These were just the things that got me through. Best of luck. I’d say ask, but no one had a clue in 2001, they won’t now.
Try YouTube, still a lot of rope and sheet skills in Canada and Alaska.
Good luck!
Bluey Circles:
Probably better to use a clove hitch or bowline for the initial attachment, then no matter how tight you make the dollies or double dollies and no matter how much the movement of the vehicle further tightens the initial tie point, you can get then undone. But if you use an overhand or fig eight, then that knot loop at the end may just become permanent.
Agreed. Not blowing my own trumpet but taught myself to splice eventually and put an eye-splice in new ropes for the first hook. Useful for hanging up the rope, too. Where there are no eyelets, make an “ear” out of the sheet - basically screw up a handful of sheet until it’s big enough for a clove hitch to grip around it. I’ve even had to roll up a stone in a sheet and tie the clove hitch behind it.
My favourite knot is a bowline. I used to use it wherever I could, specially towing wagons off fields, jump starting, etc. Guaranteed not to jam, guaranteed not to slip. However, my brother (ex-MN) has converted me to a round-turn-and-two-half-hitches - just as good and easier to tie. I knew a bloke once (since passed) who could tie a bowline with one hand behind his back! Useful on a square-rigger.
But could he do a bowline on a bight behind his back, I can as I’m still MN, and can rope an sheet a 40 foot flat, but don’t tell Carryfast as he will know how to do it better 
Thinking about the comment ‘useful on a square rigger’ It wasn’t at all as it took two hands to hang on, but I was always taught one hand for the ship and one hand for the job, difficult unless you have three hands !
raymundo:
But could he do a bowline on a bight behind his back, I can as I’m still MN, and can rope an sheet a 40 foot flat, but don’t tell Carryfast as he will know how to do it better
I can guarantee that I won’t.Firstly what’s a bowline. As I said to Bewick I could rope anything without losing it but sheeting was just a necessary evil on an as and when basis luckily in my case not very often and if it kept the load dry and the wind from getting under it was good enough.As for a loop to start off with I didn’t know how to splice ropes either so I just used the same knot around the hook that I used to lock the dollies and the runs between hooks with.Don’t ask me what it’s called though. 
Splicing a loop is easy once you’ve done a couple. As said, fold up the extra sheet underneath and make use of the ‘ears’ technique for anywhere where there’s no sheet strings. If you have to use two sheets lengthwise don’t forget to put the back one on first. With high loads, nowadays you’re probably not allowed to get up and put on two sheets and a fly. The good old days. 
Carryfast:
raymundo:
But could he do a bowline on a bight behind his back, I can as I’m still MN, and can rope an sheet a 40 foot flat, but don’t tell Carryfast as he will know how to do it better
I can guarantee that I won’t.Firstly what’s a bowline.
Stunned
A post where you don’t actually pretend (for 12 pages) to know what you’re talking about whilst amongst people that do.
Can we frame this one as a sticky? “Curryfart admits he knows crap all about a subject” would be a good title.
Why was the sheet draped on the floor,did you open it out fully instead of opening it to the fold and pull it down to deck level as needed tying the eyelets as you go.
James the cat:
Can we frame this one as a sticky? “Curryfart admits he knows crap all about a subject” would be a good title.
To be fair having roped more than a few loads in my time and nothing shifted and sheeting good enough to keep it dry and not get the wind under it,mostly using a tilt cover for the job,isn’t exactly the same thing as ‘knows zb all’.So anyway instead of having a go at my post and as you’re the expert what is the actual name of that knot I was referring to.Assuming you even know what I’m referring to.
Carryfast:
James the cat:
Can we frame this one as a sticky? “Curryfart admits he knows crap all about a subject” would be a good title.To be fair having roped more than a few loads in my time and nothing shifted and sheeting good enough to keep it dry and not get the wind under it,mostly using a tilt cover for the job,isn’t exactly the same thing as ‘knows zb all’.So anyway instead of having a go at my post and as you’re the expert what is the actual name of that knot I was referring to.Assuming you even know what I’m referring to.
I wasn’t having a go at your post or it’s content, I was taking the mick out of you being an alround trucknet know it all
I have no idea about your knot, I have never roped and sheeted, don’t know the first thing about rope and sheeting, never sailed a square rigger or spliced a sheet betwixt two arse cheeks etc.
James the cat:
I have never roped and sheeted, don’t know the first thing about rope and sheeting, never sailed a square rigger or spliced a sheet betwixt two arse cheeks etc.
Blimey and you said I know zb all.Although it was probably a trick question because I’m sure what I was describing hasn’t got a name anyway.Although it’s a lot quicker and easier than bothering with a bow line. 
I hated roping and sheeting it took too long compared to others looked good when it was done, broke my heart when I had to undo it and I still have bald spots on my hand from the ropes (I could never do it in gloves).
Carryfast:
James the cat:
I have never roped and sheeted, don’t know the first thing about rope and sheeting, never sailed a square rigger or spliced a sheet betwixt two arse cheeks etc.Blimey and you said I know zb all.
It tough, but I think I can live with this hole in my lorry driving armoury - a bit like I can live without being able to joust.
I misunderstood your post. Thought you were for once claiming you didn’t know much about a subject. What Was I thinking 
we also used a triangle sort of roping thing to secure the sheets but this was a strange way as we often just cut the ropes. spread across 2 hooks to create the triangle then pull tight and tie off.