What is a Tarp?
Tarps are essentially large, heavy blankets that have multiple uses. They are usually made from a weather-resistant material, and have reinforced holes (called "grommets") around the perimeter to allow them to be tied down. Tarps are commonly used with large vehicles, and are secured to trucks and trailers to contain loads of loose material or to protect items from rain and road grime.
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Function
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Strapping a tarp down over a load of loose items in large commercial trucks will prevent anything from flying or falling out and causing potential harm to other motorists. Flatbed trucks, gravel and sand trucks are required to tarp their loads as a public safety measure.
Significance
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There are thousands of insurance claims every year for windshield and front-end car repair caused by rocks and other items that fall from trucks. Heavy vehicles carry insurance policies that require confinement of loose loads to lessen the comprehensive liability portion of insurance claims.
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Features
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"Poly" tarps are lightweight and generally used to cover items on a flat bed truck that are uniform in size, such as building materials. Canvas tarps are heavy duty and cover small items that are loose, such as gravel, sand and mulch.
Types
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A tarp can be installed manually and be tied down with straps or rope. Some trucks have an automatic mechanism that canvas tarps attach to so that it rolls the tarp out across the top of the truck bed.
Considerations
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If falling or flying objects from a commercial or personal vehicle strike your car and cause damage or a collision. write down the license plate number and the trucking company's name and call them to file a claim for repairs to your car.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Tom Adamson
