How To Maintaining Your Truck Tarps

Guide To Maintaining Your Flatbed Tarps

Truck tarps are a necessary and expensive piece of equipment for a flatbed truck driver. The fabric used to make flatbed truck tarps is designed to resist tear and abrasion, and to withstand nature’s elements. However taking good care of your tarps and following some preventative measures can ensure an even longer life for your tarps and save you money.

When the truck is on the highway, the wind runs through the flatbed tarp from front to end at high speeds. If any end of the tarp is loosely tied, the high speed of the wind will make it flap back and forth (Also known as Wind Whip). This can damage even the sturdiest of flatbed tarps. To avoid damage from Wind Whip, tarps should always be tied down securely from all sides with bungee straps to the flatbed trailer and no end of the tarp should be left loose. The tarps should be tied down firmly without applying too much tension as that could strain the tarp fabric.

Make sure sharp corners and edges on the load are well padded as they can tear your tarp over time. Even though flatbed tarps are designed to be tear and abrasion resistant, padding the sharp edges of your load can significantly reduce the chances of a rip.

Inspect your tarp regularly for pea sized holes or small rips. To prevent the holes or rips from spreading, such damage should be repaired immediately using a tarp repair kit.

Flatbed tarps should be cleaned every 3-6 months to avoid buildup of caked on dirt, mould or mildew. The dirt on the tarps adds to the overall weight of the tarp and can trap certain chemicals that degrade the coating of the tarps. Cleaning your flatbed tarps with simple soap, water and a long push broom works great and stronger cleaning solutions should be avoided.

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