When it comes to trucking, one tool stands out as an unsung hero in the industry, truck tarps. Whether you're a professional trucker hauling loads across state lines or managing a logistics company, using the right tarp is essential for ensuring that your cargo stays safe, dry, and secure. The importance of truck covers can't be overstated—they provide critical protection from the elements, prevent cargo from shifting, and even help with fuel efficiency by reducing drag.
If you're new to trucking or looking to learn more about which tarp covers to use for specific jobs, this guide is for you. We'll cover the most common types of semi truck tarps, explain their uses, and provide tips on how to choose the best one for your needs.
1. Lumber Tarps: The Heavy Lifters
One of the most common types of truck tarps in the trucking industry is the lumber tarp. You've probably seen these large, imposing tarps on flatbed trucks hauling long pieces of lumber or even steel beams.
Why Lumber Tarps Work: These tarps are designed to fully enclose the cargo, including the sides and top. They're often made of heavy-duty vinyl, a material that's not only durable but also resistant to water, UV rays, and tears. Lumber tarps typically have flaps on the sides to ensure the entire load is protected from the elements.
How to Use Them: When using a lumber tarp, the goal is to make sure the cover is completely secured. This is done by using D-rings or grommets, which allow the tarp to be tied down tightly to the truck bed. The more tightly secured the tarp, the better it will perform at keeping rain, wind, and road debris from reaching your cargo.
When to Use: Lumber Tarps are ideal for loads that need full coverage from top to bottom. This makes them perfect for lumber, steel beams, and other long or tall items that need maximum protection from weather (American Trucking Associations, 2021).
2. Steel Tarps: Streamlined for Metals
Steel tarps are a close cousin of the lumber tarp but are generally smaller and simpler. These tarps are designed to protect shorter or less bulky loads, like steel sheets, cables, and rods.
Why Steel Tarps Work: The main difference between steel and lumber tarps is that steel truck tarps don't usually have flaps. This makes them lighter and easier to handle. They're still made from heavy-duty vinyl, ensuring the cargo is protected from moisture, UV rays, and corrosion.
How to Use Them: Just like with lumber tarps, steel tarps need to be tightly secured. However, because they're smaller and lighter, they're much easier to work with. You can lay the tarp over the load and secure it using the same D-rings or grommets.
When to Use: Steel tarps are ideal for smaller loads or those that don't require full coverage. They're commonly used for sheet metal, pipes, or machinery parts. When you don't need the extra weight of a lumber tarp, a steel tarp will get the job done with less hassle (Transportation Research Board, 2021).
3. Mesh Tarps: Lightweight and Breathable
If you're hauling loose materials like sand, gravel, or agricultural products, mesh tarps are your best bet. These breathable tarps allow airflow while keeping the cargo secure.
Why Mesh Tarps Work: Unlike vinyl tarps, mesh tarps are designed to let air pass through while keeping the load contained. This is essential when hauling materials that could be blown away by the wind, like dirt, debris, or mulch.
How to Use Them: Simply cover the load with the mesh tarp and secure it at the edges using bungee cords or hooks. Because the mesh material is lightweight, it's easier to maneuver and deploy than heavier tarps.
When to Use: Mesh tarps are ideal for loads where breathability is key, such as sand, gravel, and organic materials. They also work well in the agricultural industry for transporting hay or covering crops during transport (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2021).
4. Smoke Tarps: Protecting from Exhaust
If you've ever driven behind a large truck, you know how much debris and exhaust can blow off the back of a load. Smoke tarps are small, rectangular tarps designed to protect the front of a load from exhaust fumes, road dirt, and other airborne particles.
Why Smoke Tarps Work: Smoke tarps are made from vinyl and are designed to be used at the front of a flatbed truck. They're much smaller than lumber or steel tarps but offer crucial protection, especially for sensitive loads.
How to Use Them: Place the smoke tarp at the front of the load, and secure it using hooks or bungee cords. The main function of the tarp is to keep the exhaust from the truck's engine from damaging or dirtying the cargo.
When to Use: Smoke tarps are most commonly used for loads where the front is exposed to exhaust or road debris, such as cars, motorcycles, or other machinery. They're often used in conjunction with larger tarps for comprehensive coverage (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2021).
5. Side Kit Tarps: Enclosure for Flatbeds
Side kit tarps are unique because they're used in conjunction with side panel kits that turn flatbed trucks into enclosed spaces. If you're hauling fragile or valuable cargo, side kit tarps provide extra protection by keeping the load completely covered.
Why Side Kit Tarps Work: These tarps are made from durable vinyl or canvas, providing a waterproof and windproof cover for the truck's open sides. This is especially important when you're carrying items that need to be protected from every angle.
How to Use Them: Side kit tarps are placed over a truck bed that has already been fitted with side panels. The tarp covers both the sides and the top of the truck, ensuring that the entire load is protected.
When to Use: Side kit tarps are ideal for carrying fragile equipment, glass, or electronics. They're also commonly used in the food industry to transport perishable goods that need to be kept away from moisture and heat (Truckload Carriers Association, 2021).
6. Coil Tarps: Specialized for Cylindrical Cargo
If you're transporting large, cylindrical cargo like steel coils or wire spools, coil tarps are your go-to. These tarps are shaped specifically to fit around round loads, making them ideal for cargo that doesn't fit under a flat tarp.
Why Coil Tarps Work: Coil tarps are typically made from heavy-duty vinyl, just like lumber tarps, but they're smaller and designed to fit snugly around cylindrical objects. They provide excellent water and UV protection, making them essential for transporting metals that are prone to rust.
How to Use Them: Place the coil tarp over the top of the coil or spool, and use bungee cords or straps to secure it in place. The key is to make sure that the tarp is pulled tight around the load so that no moisture or debris can get in.
When to Use: Coil tarps are ideal for transporting steel coils, wire spools, and other cylindrical objects that need extra protection from the elements (National Association of Small Trucking Companies, 2021).
7. Roll Tarps: Quick and Convenient
For dump trucks and trailers, roll tarps offer an easy and efficient way to cover and uncover the load. These tarps are mounted on a rolling system that allows the tarp to be deployed or retracted quickly.
Why Roll Tarps Work: Roll tarps are perfect for loads that need frequent access, like when you're hauling dirt, gravel, or agricultural products. They're often made from mesh or vinyl, depending on the need for airflow or full coverage.
How to Use Them: Simply pull the roll tarp over the load, and secure it using the built-in system. When you need access to the load, roll the tarp back up—it's that simple.
When to Use: Roll tarps are commonly used in agriculture, landscaping, and waste management industries. They're perfect for covering and uncovering loads quickly and efficiently (Agricultural Transport Safety Council, 2021).
Conclusion: Finding the Right Tarp for Your Trucking Needs
Understanding the different types of tarps and their applications can help you make the right choice for your cargo. Whether you're hauling steel, lumber, gravel, or machinery, there's a tarp designed specifically for the job.
By investing in the right tarp, you not only protect your cargo but also ensure smoother transportation and potentially save money on repairs or damaged goods. So, next time you hit the road, make sure your cargo is properly covered.
References
American Trucking Associations. (2021). Truck tarps and their applications.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2021). Cargo protection in agriculture.
Truckload Carriers Association. (2021). Choosing the right tarp for trucking.
Transportation Research Board. (2021). *