How to Tarp a Truck

This is an example of a tarped cargo truck.

It is necessary to tarp a truck whenever cargo is being hauled through potentially wet driving conditions. The tarp protects the freight from water and road grime. Cargo tarps are required on some freight regardless of weather conditions, and so every truck driver should have a set just in case. The most common classifications for cargo tarps are 4-foot and 8-foot tarps.

Things You'll Need

• 2 tarps
• 50 bungee cords

Instructions

1. Place a rolled-up tarp on the the front and rear end of the cargo you desire to tarp. Unroll the rear tarp first up the middle of the cargo toward the truck until it rolls out. Unfold the tarp so that it evenly drapes over the cargo on both sides of the trailer, and at the rear end of the trailer.

2. 

   Here is an example of a tarp draped over the cargo.

   Unroll the front tarp away from the truck and toward the rear of the trailer. Overlap the rear tarp. The front tarp usually overlaps the rear tarp by 6-feet if the trailer is fully loaded end-to-end. Unfold the front tarp so that it evenly drapes over the cargo on both sides of the trailer, and over the front end of the trailer.

3. 

   This is an example of a side-rail on a big rig trailer.

   Hook one end of each bungee cord to the d-rings on the tarp around the entire trailer. Hook the other end of the bungee to the side-rail or if your trailer is equipped with bungee hooks, hook them there. Roll up any excess tarp and tuck it under the taunt bungee cords.