Introduction to Tarpaulins in Transportation
What is a Tarpaulin?
When you're shipping cargo long distances, the last thing you want is your cargo getting wet and ruined or splattered all over the highway. That's where tarps—officially known as tarpaulins—come into play as the best defense for your load.
A tarpaulin is simply a large, flexible, waterproof sheet made from polyethylene, canvas, or vinyl. The primary purpose of a Tarpaulin is to cover, protect, secure, and protect items while they are being shipped.
Tarpaulins are almost everywhere, you will see these protective sheets pulled (or pinned) over truck beds, secured on trailers, or wrapped around rail and marine cargo; they are part raincoat and part seatbelt. Whether you are shipping pieces of an expensive and fragile machine, fresh produce, or construction equipment, a quality tarp keeps your load safe from point A to point B. The make, the weave, the thickness, and the type of coating will play a huge role in performance; so a proper selection of a tarp definitely helps!
What is a Tarpaulin?
When hauling goods over long distances, what to avoid at all costs is arriving at destination with a soggy load, a wrecked load, or having your load 'scattered to the wind' over the highway. Tarpaulin, (or what we commonly refer to as a tarp) will be your load's primary line of defense. Simply put, a tarpaulin is a big, flexible, waterproof sheet made of polyethylene, canvas, or vinyl that is meant to cover, protect, and secure while in transit.
You will often see these protective sheets stretched, tied down on truck beds or trailers, or simply wrapped around rail or marine cargo. Tarps better resemble a raincoat and a seatbelt. This is important regardless of what it is you are shipping. If you are shipping foam lined machined tools, fresh silo products, or a piece of construction gear, a good tarp will keep your shipment together and not turn it into a pile of junk from point A to point B. The material, weave, thickness, and type of coating influence its performance and making the right choice will make all the difference.
Importance of Tarpaulins for Load Safety
Protection from the Elements
Imagine this scenario: you are on the roadway with a truck load of electronics. Suddenly, the rain begins to fall, and you don’t have a tarp. The rain soaks into your cargo, damages the packaging, and renders your entire load unusable. Now that is a nightmare, for sure! Weather can be unpredictable, it can rain, snow, or the sun can come out. This is when the weather can wreak havoc on a properly secured load, or worse, allow nothing to be secured to begin with. This is where tarps come into play.
A properly secured, high-quality tarpaulin can provide full protection from the elements. It’s there to not only protect the cargo from running UV rays that can wear down certain materials over time, or allow water to hibernate and rust, a tarp serves as the first line of defense, because they are waterproof, windproof, or breathable for materials sensitive to moisture.
Tarps are much more than just protection; they preserve the quality and value of the cargo. Whether for transporting food, or transporting anything where spoilage is a risk, knowing whether the cargo you loaded will stay fresh enough to sell is vital. Without weather protection your cargo isn’t just at risk, it’s a liability that can explode at any time.
Avoiding Load Shift and Spillage
Transporting goods is not just about getting to the destination; it is about making sure everything arrives exactly as it left! Load shift is one of the most dangerous and expensive aspects of transportation. Conversely, properly securing a tarp or cover can stabilize the cargo, prevent it from moving, as well as create less wind drag.
Tarps provide weight and can hold down items that are not secured enough while in transit. This decreases the likelihood of objects flying out of a truck bed or container which is happening way too much. Remember, money is not the only issue; it could be a matter of life or death. There have been documented many cases of unsecured cargo, often causing accidents on highways, leading to injuries, lawsuits, and loss of innocent lives.
In addition to safety, tarps can also help prevent spillage. For instance, when transporting sand, gravel, grains or mulch, an unfortunate small gust from the wind could potentially cause the entire load scatter. Tarps will carefully snug your load keeping the weight intact and loss to a minimum.
Types of Tarpaulins Used in Transportation
PVC Tarpaulin (continued)
They are flame-retardant, UV-resistant, and can withstand extreme weather conditions from blazing sun to freezing snow. PVC tarps don't easily crack or peel like cheap tarpaulins, so they are great for lasting use. Since they are coated a little thicker, they don't stick to loads easily nor rip when placed under severe pressure, which is an important factor when hauling items with sharp edges or heavy-duty items.
Any honest trucker will tell you PVC tarps are a trucker's best friend because they can be reused many times while still staying intact. If you are making a cross-country trip or just everyday deliveries, a PVC tarp is an excellent buy for serious transporters. While it may cost more than a basic polyethylene tarp, it offers great durability, protection, and longevity that certainly outweigh the up-front cost.
Polyethylene (PE) Tarps
PE tarps are the most frequently used tarps in the transportation business and with good reason. These tarps are affordable, lighter weight, and versatile allowing use in many transport situations. PE tarps are constructed from woven strips of plastic, often coated with some kind of UV protection, providing good weather protection for a lot less money.
PE tarps have a purpose when transporting short hauls, consumables, and general cargo. Furthermore, these tarps are easy to handle, easy to throw on, and are typically used to cover pickup trucks, small trailers, and farm equipment. However, there are a few things to think about when the tarps are flat, even if the environment is perfect. PE tarps can rip easily because of how thin they tend to be compared to other tarps, especially stretched or if sharp objects are involved.
PE tarps have their place for temporary use or lighter loads. There are also multiple thicknesses available, or "mils" , with each level higher of mil representing thicker. Generally speaking, due to the cost saving benefits of using this material, if you use them correctly, and they are looked after properly, a good PE tarp is an overall reasonable performing tarp with good value.
Canvas Tarpaulins
For those that prefer to use natural materials, canvas tarpaulins provide a dependable and breathable ability. Composed of cotton or polyester feeding textiles, canvas tarp is typically treated with a wax coat to help with water resistant capability, and canvas tarpaulins have a degree of strength and breathable tolerance. Breathability comes in handy when loading items that can condense moisture, like lumber, agricultural harvests, or antiques.
Canvas tarpaulins are durable and provide good resistance against tearing. They're great for repeated handling and outdoor use. That said, like all Heavy Duty Tarpaulin, they are not waterproof, but water resistant, and are not a good choice if there is heavy rainfall. The heavier weight of the tarps makes it unwieldy for frequent rolling/unrolling.
When it comes to reusability and the environmental impact, canvas tarps do consider. If sustainability practices are a high consideration or the items must be able to breathe air, it would definitely be a consideration. The functional lifespan of the tarps are very long, if cared for properly (like any tarp) and can be treated with other coatings to provide enhancements.
Mesh Tarpaulin
The mesh tarp is an underrated tarp in a transportation context where the cargo needs airflow. The mesh tarp is made of interlaced fibers that consist of many holes, so air, some light, and water can pass through. They are ideal for transporting materials like gravel, mulch, hay, and plants.
The mesh tarp is not the same as a traditional waterproof tarp and is therefore not ideal for transporting moisture-sensitive cargo. The mesh tarp is meant to prevent loss of cargo due to wind, while still allowing the load to 'breathe', which decreases the potential for mold and overheating, particularly in extreme temperatures or on extended hauls.
Mesh tarpaulins are commonly used in dump trucks and landscaping trailers. They meet many state regulations which require the wind-proofing of loose materials to eliminate the chance of spillage on the highway. Mesh tarps are made of durable material, they are flexible and easy to clean, therefore, fill a unique gap in the transportation world.
Choosing the Right Tarpaulin for Your Transport Needs
Size and Load Dimensions
Selecting the proper tarp size is similar to purchasing the right clothing: it must fit properly or it does not work. If it is small, your load is exposed. If it is big, you grapple with all that excess flapping material you have to secure, and perhaps even worse, it can become a hindrance. The first step to choosing the right tarp is to accurately explore your load dimensions (length, width, and height).
The tarp selected should have at least a couple of feet of overlap on all sides to allow for complete coverage, especially if the load is not box-like, and the shape has contours. What does the item look like? Is it cumbersome or bulky, with sharp right angles? Is it rounded and soft? Irregular shapes require more coverage and also reinforcement at stress points.
Do not neglect the tie down points. Are you sure that the tarp has grommets or D-rings that are positioned correctly? Is it being used on a flatbed truck, trailer, or container? Each of these scenarios will have a slightly different approach, and having the right size prevents many hassles involving wind tearing, water seepage, and shifting loads.
Strength and Durability
Sure, you can find a lightweight tarp for less money, but it may end up costing you thousands of dollars in damaged cargo, lost time, or even legal costs. Your top concerns should be strength and durability when considering a tarp, especially if your transport involves rough handling or weather conditions. Check the denier count (how thick the fibers are), the density of the weave, and what kind of coating material it has.
For example, a heavy-duty PVC tarp with reinforced corners and heat sealed seams will take much more abuse than a basic PE sheet with stitched in edges. When covering heavy or abrasive loads, you need a tarp with real tensile strength - something that will not rip when the wind picks up or if the load shifts a little bit.
Also consider how frequently you will be using the tarp. If you are using it every day, consider spending a little more on a higher-grade tarp that can withstand the repetitive beatings. If you are using the tarp occasionally, and for occasional hauls, a middle range tarp is probably plenty. It’s like buying tires; you pay for what you get, and performance matters.
Water and UV Resistance
Weather can be a trucker's best friend or your worst enemy. One minute it is sunny, the next a downpour. Exposure to UV rays and water are two of the most common causes of tarp degradation over time. If your business depends on hauling cargo, you want a tarp that resists both.
To ensure you are getting a Tarpaulin that will hold up better when exposed you will want to look for tarps labeled as "UV-treated" or "100% waterproof." PVC and high grade PE tarps typically present overall good water resistance, while canvas has to be specially treated. Keep in mind that UV protection doesn't just help preserve the tarp; it also means that any potential sensitive cargo (ex: electronics, paint, and food items) can also potentially be ruined by sun exposure.
Keep in mind that water can pool on a loosely fitted tarp adding weight to your tarp and causing sagging. This is why securing the tarp properly is just as important as the materials themselves. When matched up correctly, a water and UV resistant tarp can be a barrier between your load and Mother Nature's best efforts.
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