Canvas or non-plastic tarps?

[wahoowad]

I need a couple different size durable canvas tarps. I want a really large one for raking leaves onto it and perhaps a smaller one for other misc chores. Any leads on where to shop for good deals on canvas tarps?

 

[Fretters]

Buy an old canvas tent and cut it up?

 

[Hpozzuoli]

For leaves and abuse I would get the free ones at harbor freight or even buy the big ones they have. For durability I used canvas for years to cover my firewood.

 

[NUTTSGT]

http://www.tritarp.com/tarps/flattarps.htm

You might be able to get some seconds that would save you money if you're using them for leaves.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Non-plastic (real canvas) will be expensive.

Home Depot and Lowes do sell cloth drop clothes in the paint department. I am not certain if these are heavy enough for your intended use.

 

[guy48065]

I'm curious why you prefer to rake leaves onto cloth? Plastic tarps drag easy...

 

[GettinJunkDone]

I agree with getting the free ones from harbor freight. This is all I ever use. They work perfect and slide on grass and pavement just fine.

 

[wahoowad]

I'm curious why you prefer to rake leaves onto cloth? Plastic tarps drag easy...

I have a big yard and like to use a big tarp. The one I am using right now is around 12x20 (?), is a typical blue plastic tarp, and has a sewn seam down the middle. This is the weak point and my last two have torn apart there.

i also would use the tarp for other duties where I would need to walk on it. This would tear up the plastic ones.

 

[Tenex]

I work for a tent company and we use the heavy duty nylon tarps exclusively. We lay them out and drage them across every surface imaginable to preserve the tent vinyl. A canvas tarp is going to be heavier, especially when wet. and they will mold easily.

 

[wahoowad]

I work for a tent company and we use the heavy duty nylon tarps exclusively. We lay them out and drage them across every surface imaginable to preserve the tent vinyl. A canvas tarp is going to be heavier, especially when wet. and they will mold easily.

Got a link for a suitable nylon tarp?

 

[jakemac]

The silver tarps at HF hold up to abuse longer than blue or green tarps.

 

[1foxracing]

If you're really cheap and like free stuff try a local lumber yard. Many new bundles of lumber come wrapped in a Tyvek type material and if you ask nicely they might give some to you.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I can see why - if you take care of them they last years. I have one that I've had for over 20 years now' other than a (patched) tear it's still going strong. Show me a plastic tarp - even the good ones, but especially the cheap blue ones - that will go half that long.

I go to the local canvas shop and have them make them up out of heavy duck. I've also had good luck at surplus stores finding them. The upside is both source US materials. To me that means something...

 

[SantaAna12]

My boss bought the blue canvas fron Northern. It seems OK, but it is a lower weight canvas.
I have one heavy canvas tarp at home 20+ years old and would not mind adding another.
Good canvas at a good price? Good question.

 

[Bdgjr215]

Im a landscaper and we do tons of leaf cleanups I get old pool covers the kind where they put the springs on they are super durable and they have sewn in seams so you can make
Them whatever size you want . I drag them with my zero turn loaded with wet leaves
And they still last a couple seasons . Go to a pool supply and ask for one that they took off
A customers pool and replaced with new

 

[wahoowad]

Im a landscaper and we do tons of leaf cleanups I get old pool covers the kind where they put the springs on they are super durable and they have sewn in seams so you can make
Them whatever size you want . I drag them with my zero turn loaded with wet leaves
And they still last a couple seasons . Go to a pool supply and ask for one that they took off
A customers pool and replaced with new

Great tip. Thanks!

 

[guy48065]

I assume you're dragging this with a machine...
I do the same thing on my 2 acres of leaf-covered lawn only I don't tow it by the corners--I lace the grommets into a giant "burrito" and drag it by the end. Never had a seam blow out in 22 years of doing this. One thing: wad up the tarp around a tennis ball where you tie the drag rope & you'll never tear another hem, either.

Great tip about the pool cover, btw!

 

[Bdgjr215]

I assume you're dragging this with a machine...
I do the same thing on my 2 acres of leaf-covered lawn only I don't tow it by the corners--I lace the grommets into a giant "burrito" and drag it by the end. Never had a seam blow out in 22 years of doing this. One thing: wad up the tarp around a tennis ball where you tie the drag rope & you'll never tear another hem, either.

Great tip about the pool cover, btw!

We use the thick rubber bungees and we wrap that thru the rear engine bash
Guard.after we we load the tarp we tie off the back, then we attach the tarp with the bungee which kinda acts like suspension when you start to move they never seem to tear that way.

 

[gte718p]

Ebay...

I got tired of going through a plastic tarp twice a years on my crawler and project trucks. They are stored in the sun, close to the ocean. Very harsh conditions. I bought two good quality canvas tarps on Ebay and they have been holding up great for years. They are expensive, but worth every penny.

This is the company I used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-x-12-Canvas-Tarp-18-oz-Extra-Heavy-Duty-Tarpaulin-Water-Resistant-/150819609496?var=&hash=item231d8c9b98:m:m4n_MA8HjVQ4mDDwli9Epew

 

[SantaAna12]

Ebay...

I got tired of going through a plastic tarp twice a years on my crawler and project trucks. They are stored in the sun, close to the ocean. Very harsh conditions. I bought two good quality canvas tarps on Ebay and they have been holding up great for years. They are expensive, but worth every penny.

This is the company I used
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-x-12-Canvas-Tarp-18-oz-Extra-Heavy-Duty-Tarpaulin-Water-Resistant-/150819609496?var=&hash=item231d8c9b98:m:m4n_MA8HjVQ4mDDwli9Epew

Different weights available on their site....nice. High sellers ratings.....thanks for that link. Added to wish list.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Wander around the Internet I found this place.

Recycled Billboard Tarps

Many outdoor advertisement. like you seem along the interstates, are actuall printed on heavy vinyl tarps. This place "recycles" them into more usualble sizes ! They also sell new.