Tarps & Accessories
What Are Tarps & Accessories?
A tarp is one of the most versatile pieces of equipment any truck owner, contractor, or outdoor enthusiast can have on hand. Whether you're covering a dump truck load to comply with road regulations, protecting cargo during transport, sheltering equipment from weather, or simply keeping your gear dry at a job site, the right tarp makes all the difference. Tarps and their accessories — including tension bows, tarp clips, bungee straps, grommets, and mounting hardware — form a complete system that keeps loads contained and protected from the elements.
Why Tarps Matter for Trucks, Trailers & Beyond
For commercial truck and trailer operators, tarping a load isn't just a convenience — in many states it's a legal requirement. Haulers of loose material like gravel, mulch, sand, or debris must secure their loads to prevent road hazards. Beyond compliance, tarps protect cargo from rain, wind, UV degradation, and road debris. For recreational users, a quality tarp can serve as a boat cover, RV canopy, camping shelter, firewood cover, or pool tarp. The right tarp for the job depends on factors like material thickness (measured in mils), weave density, UV and tear resistance, grommet placement, and overall size.
What to Look for When Shopping Tarps & Accessories
- Material & Thickness: Polyethylene (poly) tarps are the most common, available in weights ranging from all-purpose lightweight to ultra-heavy-duty. Thicker mil ratings and tighter weave counts mean greater durability.
- UV & Weather Resistance: Look for tarps with UV-treated coatings, waterproof surfaces, and mold/mildew resistance for long-term outdoor use.
- Grommets & Edge Reinforcement: Rust-resistant aluminum grommets spaced evenly along edges, combined with rope-sewn perimeters, provide secure tie-down points and prevent tearing under tension.
- Tarp Systems vs. Single Tarps: Dump truck operators should consider full tarp systems — including arms, bows, springs, and electric or manual crank mechanisms — for safe and repeatable coverage over every load.
- Accessories: Tarp clips, bungee cords, tie-down straps, and replacement hardware extend the life of your tarp and help secure it in wind and rough conditions.
Top Brands in Tarps & Accessories
Buyers Products is a go-to name in the hauling and waste management industry, offering a full lineup of dump truck tarp systems — both electric and manual — along with replacement parts and accessories like tension bow kits, tarp arm kits, and rocker switch assemblies. Their systems are engineered specifically for dump bodies and trailers, making them a trusted choice for commercial operators.
Kotap is a family-owned distributor that has been supplying polyethylene tarpaulin products since 1982. They offer one of the largest inventories in the industry across a wide range of sizes, weights, and colors — with three distinct protection tiers (all-purpose, heavy-duty, and ultra-heavy-duty) to match any application from camping to construction.
Performance Tool, a brand under Wilmar LLC, brings decades of tool and equipment experience to its tarp lineup. Their poly tarps feature reinforced corners, rope-sewn edges, and aluminum grommets, while their tarp clip accessories offer a practical solution for securing covers to awnings, canopies, boats, and RVs without drilling or permanent hardware.
Erickson Mfg is a well-regarded cargo control brand whose tarp accessories and tie-down products integrate seamlessly with trailer and truck load management systems, providing reliable performance on the road. Anchor Brand rounds out the lineup with industrial-grade tarp solutions built to meet demanding worksite standards.