Flatbed tarps have to withstand a lot of wear and tear on the road. Hot sun, freezing mornings, sharp corners, and getting strapped down, ripped off, and strapped down again. The tarps that last are built with all of this in mind.
At US Cargo Control, our tarps are built with four integral elements to keep them on the road longer. Read on to learn what they are, why they matter, and what to look for when choosing a high-quality tarp.
Premium Materials
Most of our trucking tarps are made from PVC-coated polyester. It's tough, resistant to tears, and built to take a beating from UV rays, mildew, and wet weather.
There are two weights to choose from:
- 18 oz. is our heavy-duty option. It handles more stress and fights tears better.
- 14 oz. is lighter, easier to handle, and still offers reliable protection.
We also offer an ultra-light 6 oz. parachute tarp, with nylon sides and a top made from our heavy-duty 18 oz. material. This makes for a more flexible and manageable tarp, especially in the winter.
No matter what tarp you choose, make sure to use edge protectors to protect your tarp from sharp corners.
What to look for: a multi-layer, coated fabric, and a weight that holds up to your needs.
Welded D-Rings
The D-rings are where your tie-downs meet the tarp, so they feel the force of the load. Ours are 2" zinc-plated rings that are welded closed, so there's no gap to pry open. Each ring is stitched onto polyester webbing with reinforced stitching for extra strength, and an abrasion-resistant wear pad sits underneath to protect the tarp where hooks and straps rub.
Most of our tarps have two to four rows of D-rings down each side, generally spaced about two feet apart. That gives you plenty of places to anchor rubber tarp straps, so you can pull the tarp tight where your load needs it.
What to look for: closed rings, a corrosion-resistant finish, and a pad or backing under each ring.
Convenient Grommets
Grommets are the quick way to secure a tarp, and ours are set up to make life easier. They're spaced about every two feet around the perimeter and set into edges reinforced with 2" polyester webbing, so they stay put instead of tearing out under tension.
They're also larger than what you'll find on a lot of tarps. That extra size means you can hook two tarp straps in a single grommet when you need the extra hold.
What to look for: grommets set in reinforced edges and an opening big enough to work with.
Reinforced Edges
Edges are where tarps usually start to fail. Wind grabs them, they flap, and flapping turns small frays into big tears. We run 2" polyester webbing around the perimeter to help prevent fraying and tearing, as well as give grommets extra security. Combined with the wear pads and reinforced stitching at each D-ring, the high-stress spots are covered.
What to look for: a finished, reinforced edge all the way around, with stitching that is tight and even.
Quick Tarp Quality Checklist
Next time you're comparing tarps, run through this checklist:
- Multi-layer, coated fabric with a stated weight
- D-rings that are welded closed and corrosion-resistant
- A wear pad under each D-ring
- Grommets set in reinforced edges
- Webbing along the perimeter
- Clean, even stitching
Make Your Tarp Last
A good tarp lasts multiple seasons with the right care. Two habits help the most:
- Protect it from sharp edges. Use corner protectors wherever cargo could cut or rub the fabric.
- Tie it down tight. A tarp that's snug and not flapping in the wind wears far more slowly.
Ready to Tarp Up?
When you can see the quality in the details, you can trust it on the road. Shop our flatbed tarps, and if you have questions, our team of product specialists is a phone call away. Call them at 866-444-9990.
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