| Tarpaulins, often called tarps, are frequently used to | | | | Cargo such as lumber and steel cables are often |
| cover and secure loads in different types of trucks. | | | | carried in flatbed trailers. Truck tarps covering a |
| Truck tarps can make carrying loads in pickup trucks, | | | | 48-foot long trailer with 8-foot drops can be purchased |
| flatbeds, dump trucks, and other types of trucks much | | | | for about $400 online. Usually, two tarps are needed, |
| easier. Having a truck tarp is also safer, with less | | | | bringing the total price to around $800. These truck |
| likelihood of the load falling off the truck and causing | | | | tarps are waterproof and have grommets through |
| problems for the driver or for other vehicles on the | | | | which cables can attach the tarp to the truck. |
| road. | | | | Dump trucks also need to be covered with tarps to |
| Truck tarps for pickups typically cost around $40. | | | | secure their load. Roll up tarps are usually used on |
| Truck tarps for full size pickup beds are about $5 | | | | dump trucks. These tarps roll up into a cylinder for |
| more. These tarps are made to cover a full load in the | | | | storage up behind the cab of the truck, and can be |
| bed of the truck, securing it and protecting it from the | | | | pulled out and secured to the other end of the bed to |
| elements. Good truck tarps come with hook and | | | | cover the truck's cargo. Tarps for dump trucks usually |
| straps to secure the tarp to the truck bed and | | | | start at $300 for basic models, with bigger or more |
| eliminate the need to tie complicated knots with rope | | | | elaborate models costing more. |
| to secure the tarp. | | | | Covering truck beds is one of the many uses of tarps. |
| Truck tarps are also available for flatbed trailers. | | | | There are a variety of other applications for tarpaulins. |