Asphalt Tarps

Weather changes, and a bright, sunny day can turn to rain when you least expect it. If a load is being transported in a truck, weather directly affects the materials. If wood or asphalt, in particular, is being transported, rain will warp or ruin the material. To prevent this from happening, a truck bed must have a tarp secured on top.

In some states, asphalt tarps, also called dump truck tarps, are required by law. Materials of any size, from small grains of gravel to large barrels, may fall out of the truck. In this instance, even the smallest particle may become a hazard to motorists or pedestrians and likely becomes litter on the side of the road. To reduce litter and to keep motorists safe, laws in several states require truck beds to be covered with an asphalt tarp whenever materials are transported.

Asphalt tarps are made out of reinforced canvas, vinyl, or polyethylene. Out of these three, vinyl is the strongest and is treated to be waterproof and UV resistant. Because water can ruin the materials, the tarp needs to be fully applied to the truck bed in order to give complete protection.

Asphalt tarps are applied to a dump truck through manual or mechanical mechanisms. Although the latter is the most common, the tarp needs to attach to a rope or gear chain, which is controlled by a crank. The crank is used to fully apply the tarp to the load and to remove it.

Wind whip is a significant concern for all truck tarps. If wind gets under the material, it "whips" it back and forth, weakening or tearing the polyethylene, vinyl, or canvas. As you apply an asphalt tarp, see that the tension is just right – not too loose but not too tight – and that no gaps or holes are present.