Extra Heavy Duty Tarp: The Ultimate Guide to Long-Lasting Load Protection

Extra heavy duty tarps are designed to handle demanding jobs where standard tarps fail, offering superior durability, weather resistance, and load security for both professional and everyday use. For pickup owners, contractors, and farmers, investing in a premium extra heavy duty tarp such as the black and white Loadsaver style cover can dramatically improve safety and reliability during transport.​

What Is an Extra Heavy Duty Tarp?

An extra heavy duty tarp is a reinforced protective cover made from high‑strength materials like heavy‑denier polyethylene or vinyl, engineered to resist tears, UV damage, and harsh weather over long periods. These tarps typically feature thicker material, tighter weave, and stronger edging and hardware than standard light‑duty covers.​

In the poly category, extra heavy duty tarps often use high‑density polyethylene (HDPE) threads coated with low‑density polyethylene (LDPE), delivering a balance of flexibility, toughness, and water resistance. Products like the black and white extra heavy duty load cover from The Tarp Co use HDPE threads with LDPE coating, a 10 x 8 weave, and around 13–14 mil thickness to achieve reliable performance.​

Key Features of Extra Heavy Duty Tarps

High‑quality extra heavy duty tarps share a core set of construction features that separate them from cheaper alternatives. When evaluating a product, look for the following attributes.​

• Reinforced perimeter: A double‑thick hem with internal rope dramatically increases edge strength, helping the tarp resist ripping where stress is highest.​

• Heavy grommets and D‑rings: Oversized corner grommets combined with reinforced D‑rings spaced along all sides provide multiple secure tie‑down points, reducing flapping and load shift.​

• High‑denier fabric and tight weave: A specification such as 1600‑denier HDPE with a 10 x 8 weave per square inch delivers strong tear resistance and better puncture performance than lighter fabrics.​

• Weather and UV protection: Extra heavy duty tarps are treated with ultraviolet‑inhibiting additives (often up to about 5%) and include waterproof or highly water‑resistant coatings to withstand prolonged outdoor exposure.​

• Durable thickness and weight: Thickness in the 13–14 mil range and fabric weight around 7 oz per square yard give a good indication that the tarp is built for continuous heavy use rather than occasional covering.​

Benefits for Load Covering and Hauling

When used as a load cover on pickups, trailers, and flatbeds, an extra heavy duty tarp offers practical advantages in both safety and longevity. Properly secured, it helps keep cargo contained, protected, and compliant with local regulations that require loads to be covered.​

• Improved cargo security: Multiple D‑rings and corner grommets make it easier to strap or rope the tarp tightly over tools, equipment, landscaping material, or debris, reducing the risk of items shifting or blowing out.​

• Protection from weather and UV: The combination of waterproof poly coating and UV treatment shields loads from rain, snow, dust, and harsh sunlight, keeping materials drier and reducing weather‑related damage.​

• Longer service life: Extra heavy duty tarps withstand repeated use, handling, and transport better than light‑duty covers, meaning fewer replacements and lower long‑term cost of ownership.​

Black & White Extra Heavy Duty Load Cover (Loadsaver)

The black and white extra heavy duty tarp and load cover from The Tarp Co, often referred to as the Loadsaver, is purpose‑built for everyday hauling on pickups and flatbeds. It combines heavy‑duty construction with a high‑contrast color scheme that offers both functional and visual benefits.​

This tarp uses a black surface on one side and white on the other, giving users flexibility: the black side can help absorb light and reduce glare, while the white underside reflects some heat away from the cargo area. It is produced from polyethylene with a 10 x 8 weave using 1600‑denier HDPE threads, LDPE coating, and a UV package up to around 5%, resulting in a robust, weather‑resistant cover suitable for frequent short‑distance hauling.​

Construction Details and Specifications

Understanding the Loadsaver construction helps buyers compare it to generic alternatives that may appear similar but use lighter materials. Key technical specifications include edge reinforcement, hardware placement, and fabric performance.​

• Perimeter and hardware: The tarp features a double‑thick perimeter with a heavy 5 mm rope in the hem, oversized aluminum grommets in each corner, and reinforced D‑rings spaced approximately every 24 inches along all four sides.​

• Fabric and weight: With a 10 x 8 weave, 1600‑denier HDPE yarns, and LDPE coating, the fabric is approximately 13–14 mil thick and weighs about 7.07 oz per square yard, aligning with extra heavy duty performance standards.​

• Sizing and finish: As with many tarps, sizes are listed as cut size, with finished dimensions slightly smaller after hemming; for example, an 8 ft x 10 ft cut may finish around 7 ft 8 in x 9 ft 9 in, and other sizes follow a similar pattern.​

Best Uses and Limitations

Extra heavy duty poly tarps like the black and white Loadsaver excel in short‑haul and general‑purpose outdoor protection, but they are not ideal for every scenario. Choosing the right cover depends on distance, exposure time, and cargo type.​

• Ideal applications: Short‑distance hauling of tools, landscaping materials, building supplies, and debris; temporary covers for equipment, job sites, or farm materials; and general protective use around homes and commercial yards.​

• Long‑haul and specialty needs: For continuous highway use or industrial conditions with sharp edges and extreme abrasion, many experts recommend switching to a heavy vinyl or custom‑fabricated tarp instead of poly. The Tarp Co specifically suggests contacting them for a custom vinyl solution when long‑haul performance is required.​

How to Choose the Right Extra Heavy Duty Tarp

Selecting the right tarp involves assessing size, environment, and frequency of use rather than relying on price alone. A well‑chosen tarp fits the vehicle or area properly and matches the expected stress level.​

• Measure your load area: For pickups and flatbeds, measure length and width of the bed and consider height of stacked cargo; choose a tarp that provides enough overhang to secure under or to side rails while still lying flat.​

• Match duty rating to usage: If the tarp will be used daily or in harsh weather, opt for extra heavy duty specifications (thickness, weight, UV treatment, reinforced edges) like those offered by the Loadsaver rather than standard blue or light‑duty covers.​

• Consider color and visibility: Black and white reversible designs can offer flexibility for heat management and appearance, and high‑contrast edges can make the load more visible when parked or working at dawn or dusk.​

Care, Maintenance, and Safety Tips

Proper care extends the life of extra heavy duty tarps and helps maintain safety on the road. Simple maintenance habits can prevent small issues from turning into failures at highway speeds.​

• Inspect before each use: Check hems, D‑rings, and grommets for damage, and look for punctures or worn areas where the tarp contacts sharp corners or edges.​

• Use edge protection: When covering loads with sharp or abrasive components, add corner protectors or padding beneath the tarp to reduce wear.​

• Dry and store correctly: After use in wet conditions, allow the tarp to dry before folding and store it in a cool, shaded area to reduce mold and UV degradation over time.​

FAQs

Q1. What makes a tarp “extra heavy duty” instead of just heavy duty?

Extra heavy duty tarps typically use thicker material, higher denier yarns, tighter weave, stronger edging, and more robust hardware than standard heavy duty covers, resulting in better tear resistance and longer service life. Specifications such as 13–14 mil thickness, weights around 7 oz per square yard, and reinforced hems with rope and D‑rings are common in this category.​

Q2. Is the black and white Loadsaver tarp waterproof?

The black and white extra heavy duty load cover from The Tarp Co is made from polyethylene with LDPE coating and a tight weave, providing a high degree of water resistance suitable for typical hauling and outdoor protection. While it performs very well in rain and snow, it should always be properly secured and angled to prevent water pooling on the surface.​

Q3. Can this type of tarp be used for long‑distance highway hauling?

Extra heavy duty poly tarps like the Loadsaver are ideal for local and short‑distance hauling, but for frequent long‑haul applications many manufacturers recommend vinyl tarps due to their higher abrasion resistance and durability under constant wind load. The Tarp Co specifically advises using a vinyl tarp and offers custom quotes for customers who regularly transport loads over long distances.​

Q4. How should I choose the right size Loadsaver tarp for my pickup?

Measure the length and width of your truck bed, including any toolbox or side rails, and consider typical load height, then select a tarp size that allows adequate drape over the sides for secure tie‑down. For example, a common approach is to choose a tarp somewhat larger than the bed so it can be cinched under the bed or attached to tie‑down points using the D‑rings every 24 inches.​

Q5. How long will an extra heavy duty tarp last?

Service life depends on frequency of use, exposure to sun and weather, and how well it is maintained, but extra heavy duty tarps generally last significantly longer than standard light‑duty options under similar conditions. Regular inspection, proper tie‑down, edge protection, and dry storage after use will help maximize the lifespan of products like the black and white extra heavy duty load cover.

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