Tarp Talk

[Automatic Slim]

I need to cover some stuff outside in the elements and looking over my pitiful tarp selection of primarily blue cheap poly tarps, was thinking surely there has got to be something better. What better place to ask, than the GJ.

The blue tarps really don't stand up to the weather and get tattered easily, and not good for covered wagon loads either. It's annoying. Storing, folding and securing is a pita too, imo.

Looking for a 12x20 tarp, but honestly haven't delved into the tarp differences, and figure some may have a good idea. I do know they have gotten more expense for some reason.

I'm open to suggestions, but let's be real here, not wanting to spend over $50 usd at this point, so have limits; or if good case can be made for canvas (or other), might splurge - as I do frequently need a good tarp.

Where to buy?

& recommendations w/ brief explanation would be beneficial.


I can see some old farts sitting around a fire at an RV park carrying this discussion into the late hours.

Gimmee your best tarp & thx.

(I will be in and out today, so may not get back immediately - but am seriously interested in a decent tarp that won't break the bank). thx

Prefer dark color or camo.

 

[jakemac]

I don't know it they are stocked anymore, but True Value used to have a HD silver/black tarp that held up well. It could get pricey, but at the time I got an employee discount.
Tip : To avoid UV rot, use the tarp black side out. The package says UV resistant, but the silver side goes faster than the black side.

I've been using the HF silver tarps lately. They're less expensive. They seem to do well, but I don't have longterm UV results yet.

 

[vjlobel]

A long time ago I got tired of dealing with the blue tarps for covering things in the back of my truck, and bought a green canvas tarp at Orscheln Farm & Home. It was an impulse buy, the blue tarp was in shreds and I was pissed, but I haven't bought a tarp since, and I'm not doing anything special to take care of it. I'd buy a dozen more.

 

[bczygan]

The silver/brown ones are WAY better, whether you buy them at a big box store or HF.
HF ones are a bit less money, or a bigger size tarp for the same money (I did an analysis).

 

[Automatic Slim]

Thanks, I will check into the silver two sided tarps - since suggestion that it is much better than blue poly.

& VJ, I am tempted to buy a canvas tarp and give it a go. Tarp will be multi-purpose and often used to cover trailer loads.

I searched ebay prior to post, but didn't run across anything that stood out in brief search. UV is an important factor.

Thanks again for the replies.

 

[PCO6]

I had some car parts temporarily stored at the back of our yard and covered with a blue poly tarp. I knew my wife wasn't happy about that so I bought a camouflage poly tarp. She said ... "I see you got rid of the stuff". I just smiled. It's still there.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

yea...silver and black are better as stated. But you can also find surplus military canvas on the cheap on CL etc...and that will hold up for a long damn time. Put a tarp under it and tie it down.

 

[ishiboo]

Canvas is the way to go.

For "keeping things down" that can get wet, ie garbage on trailers, grass clippings, etc... a cheap mesh tarp will last forever whereas a plastic tarp will die a short death going down the road.

 

[Alan Douglas]

I bought a canvas tarp maybe 20 years ago, olive drab, could have been from JC Whitney for all I remember. Quite heavy; the cloth is filled with something to make it waterproof. Weight is actually an advantage in keeping it from flapping around in the wind. It's had a couple of years cumulative exposure to the elements and it's still fine. A green poly tarp didn't make a year before it fell apart.

 

[DanarchyCustoms]

I was able to come upon a used tractor trailer tarp and I'll tell you that even though they are heavy, they make a great tarp for outdoor storage. I use mine for storing firewood.

 

[Automatic Slim]

Thanks for the information.

I did some light research on canvas tarps and searched the net for pricing. Not as many outs and manufacturing options abound for this product. All AMERICAN here though, as textiles remain strong in the heartland and lots of the companies have been in biz for 50+ years.

Chicago Canvas, Midwest in Lincoln, NE; retail outlets righttool, amazon, eastern marine, etc...

Prices remain very constant with no real "deals" to be had. You are going to pony up minimum benji for a 12x20 canvas tarp & free shipping is not to be had, and those that promote appear just to tack on the price.

Dize Tarps - seems to be the "name" recoginition in canvas tarps and price reflects a little inflation.

Heartland Tarps - seem to be very well made treated canvas tarp. One to look at here. Eastern Marine had great price, but ship was 30$.

Anchor, and others, seem to be of good quality as well. I even checked some military surplus for possible army tarp, but they be proud too.

Canvek is common treatment for water, mildew that is a silcone base; similar to the duck canvas that the US Army is known for - which is a quality tarp. Usu. adds weight and longevity.

Price is directly in relation to cloth weight.

Still mulling it over, but I'm tired of all this plastic junking up landfills, and the poly tarp is an amatuer move and probably buy canvas tarp that very well could last lifetime, according to comments here and reviews.

***********************

Here is some additional information from internet source:

Canvas tarps are a time-honored way to protect your valuables from sun and water. The word canvas derives from the word cannabis, because the cloth was made from hemp before cotton was a commercially viable product. The word tarpaulin was formed from a combination of "tar" and "palling" and referred to canvas that had been coated with tar to make it waterproof for use aboard ships. Hemp is no longer widely used in the textile industry, and we now have better (and less messy) products than tar for waterproofing canvas fabrics, which are now commonly made from cotton.


Measuring Canvas By WeightCanvas that is measured by weight is sold based on the weight of one square yard of the cloth. Very lightweight canvas cloth can weigh as little as 7 oz. per square yard, while canvas cloth for everyday light use starts at around 12 oz. per square yard.
Finished canvas tarps can weigh more after they are treated with waterproofing material and/or UV light resistant coatings. The coatings can add several ounces per square yard to the weight of the cotton canvas tarp material.


Canvas Duck TarpCanvas duck tarp material may also be sold under a numbering system, in which the lower numbers indicate heavier, more dense cloth. Number one canvas duck cloth is very heavy duty canvas, while number ten canvas cloth is fairly light. It may also be single fill or double fill canvas, another measure of the thread density of the canvas cloth.
Lower Numbers Mean Heavier Canvas Tarp

Canvas tarps can be purchased with grommets for support or secure tie-down.
Why is it that a lower number means a heavier canvas tarp cloth? The explanation has to do with the weight of a square yard of cloth and the number 19. If a yard of cloth weighs 11 ounces, it is #8 canvas cloth (19 minus 11 equals 8). If a yard of cloth weighs 18 ounces, it is #1 canvas cloth. #8 is a fairly lightweight canvas, and #1 is heavy canvas.

Why 19? Your guess is as good as mine.

What happens if a square yard weighs 19 ounces or more? There's an extended system for measuring the extra heavy duty canvas tarp material, called "naught duck" measurement. At 19 ounces per yard, it is 1/0 naught duck cloth, at 20 ounces, it is 2/0 naught duck, etc.

I have also seen reference to measuring the weight of a 36" by 22" square of cloth when calculating numbered duck or naught duck canvas cloth weight. It seems that duck canvas is more densely woven than ordinary canvas, or maybe the information was incomplete.

And then there is army duck canvas, which is measured in ounces with numbers like 10.10 army duck or 12.29 army duck canvas.

Are you sorry you asked about canvas cloth weight measurement yet? Canvas cloth may or may not be canvas duck cloth. It might be single fill or double fill canvas duck, and it might be measured by the weight of a square yard, or the weight of almost a square yard. That weight might be used directly as the unit of measurement, or it might be subtracted from the number 19, or it might go into a whole different measurement system if the weight of a square yard (or almost a square yard) is greater than or equal to 19 ounces.