Specialty Tarps: Drain, Lumber, Steel,
Machinery, and Coil

There are a number of specialty tarps that are constructed to provide coverage for specific materials or machines. As a result, they are not easily found in the local supply store. These include:

Drain Tarps

Drain tarps are designed to protect personnel and equipment from overhead leaks. They are lightweight, yet very strong. A special design catches and drains water safely away from the work area, but using a well-placed drain spout. The drain spout connects to standard 3/4" garden hose which serves as the downspout. These tarps are reinforced with heavy D-rings sewn in each corner to facilitate hanging.

Sizes range from 5' x 5', up to 20' x 20'. Sizes larger than 10' x 10' are additionally reinforced by the addition of D-rings on the center of each side. Drain tarps are offered in two materials. The Light Duty version uses 12-mil reinforced polyethylene (not flame retardant). The Heavy Duty version uses 13 oz flame retardant translucent laminated polyester.

A great source of drain tarps, or leak diverters, is here

Lumber Tarps

Lumber tarps must not only secure the lumber on the truck bed, but must also protect the lumber from damage by rain, snow, and the sun's UV rays.

Lumber tarps are designed to accommodate loads of lumber up to eight feet above the bed of the truck. A lumber tarp is designed with 2 rain flaps and 1 tail flap to protect the corners of the wood, and also has either 2 or 3 rows of D-rings. The first row runs 2-3 feet above the hem, and the next 1 or 2 rows, run another 2-3 feet above that.

Most lumber tarps are about 24 ' x 26 ', or 24' x 30'. If you butt the non-flap ends together, two tarps will cover a 48' load with flaps on both ends.

Lumber tarps are often made of heavy vinyl or polyethylene. Both materials are durable but heavy, most often found in 16 - 20 ounce weight material. That total weight is close to 100 lbs per tarp. Since lumber tarps must be spread out and tied down manually, this weight is an important consideration.

Machinery Tarps

These tarps a specially designed for hauling large machinery on 8 - 10 foot loads, that are 9 - 10 feet high. They too are designed with 2 rain flaps, along with 1 tail flap to protect the corners.

There are two versions of 'D-ring' placement. One has 3 Rows of 'D-rings' on each side and tail flap, and 1 row across the end. The second type has 4 rows of 'D-rings' on each side and on the tail flap, and 2 rows, across the end. On both types, the first row is placed 24" above the hem and each additional row is 24" above the previous one.

Machinery tarpaulins are usually found in 16 - 20 ounce weight material, and weight about 100 pounds each.

Steel Tarps

Steel tarps are used to secure loads of sheet metal, cable, and construction bars. They cut from heavy-duty vinyl, typically a 14 or 16 ounce material. Single steel tarps will typically weight about 50 pounds.

Steel tarps generally come is lengths of 25 feet, with widths ranging from 14 - 18 feet. They come with 2 rows of "D" rings. The first row is placed 18 to 24 inches above the grommeted hem.

Coil Tarps/Bags

The time and effort spent to cover a large coil is significant, especially if you try to do it with a typical square tarpaulin. I've located very durable bags that will accommodate coils measuring up to 5 feet tall by 5 feet wide, by 5 feet deep.

Recommended Specialty Tarps