Learning About Auto Accessories for Heavy Duty Trucks

Five Tips To Help Your Rolling Tarp Survive The Winter

18 October 2017 by Carole Graves

A rolling tarp system is a great way to protect the back of a truck or trailer, but you may want to take special precautions with your tarp in the winter. There are a range of points to keep in mind. Take a look at these ideas.

1. Consider Leaving the Tarp Open

Some people prefer to leave their rolling tarps open during the winter. This prevents snow from building up on the tarp. Remember tarps are made to protect the contents of your truck or trailer. They are not designed to necessarily hold a lot of weight, and the excess weight may damage tarps in cases where you have extremely heavy snow falls.

2. Sweep the Tarp If You Keep It Closed

That said, you don't necessarily have to leave the tarp open. If you want to keep snow and moisture off the bed of your truck or if you are storing items in your trailer, you may want to keep the rolling tarp closed throughout the winter. In these cases, you should sweep the tarp on a regular basis.

Try sweeping off the truck in the afternoon when the temps are the warmest compared to the rest of the day. At this point, any built-up ice is likely to be relatively melted and easy to remove. Just use a soft bristled broom or snow brush. Don't use anything with sharp edges that could potentially rip the tarp.

3. Don't Drive Without Sweeping Off the Tarp

Even if you're not worried about the weight of the snow on your tarp, you should still take the time to remove the snow before you hit the road. If you start driving with all that snow on the top of your tarp, it will blow off. That saves time for you, but it can impede the visibility of other drivers on the road.

4. Repair the Tarp Before the Winter

If your rolling tarp has any rips, you may want to repair them before the winter starts. When your tarp is protecting a load, it can't do its job efficiently if it has rips. Even a small rip can let snow or moisture get onto your cargo.

Additionally, if you leave the tarp closed throughout the winter, the excess weight of the snow could cause the rip to spread. A simple repair can help to prevent the issue from getting worse.

5. Consider Oiling Your Tarp

Finally, to help your tarp survive the winter, you may want to oil it before the winter starts. This only works with certain types of tarps so check the manufacturer's instructions before taking this step. If your material can be oiled, the oil creates a nice, water-resistant coating which helps your tarp get through the winter without damage.

 

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