Shipping Cargo Storage Container Cover Tarp - 18oz Vinyl Coated Polyester

Buy American

Our team is sweating but this is not a sweat shop. That’s hard work mixed with Alabama humidity on Real Americans who sacrifice the best 40 hours of their week to support their family and this great country. Your decision to buy American provides us with privilege of rewarding these workday warriors with competitive wages, health insurance, and paid time off. Our standards for materials, workmanship, quality control, and employ wellbeing will never allow us to be the low price leader but the overall value is responsible for a century of repeat business.

Fabric Quality

Most higher grade tarps are constructed from 18oz vinyl but not all 18 ounce fabrics are created equal. Shops that primarily build truck tarps tend to use the least expensive option because of this product’s short lifespan. Truck tarps only make up about 10% of our production and most of what we build requires higher grade vinyl with more flex, better UV treatment, and a clean matte finish. Using this fabric adds about $40 to the bottom line but drivers who take care of their tarps will earn that back in no time.

Our tarps are constructed with 2” black polypro webbing rated for a 600lbs load limit. Most shops use slit film which costs half the price but in our experience this thicker heavier webbing helps stiffen the tarp’s side walls to defend against wind beat. Plus the added strength helps to lock those D-Rings in place.

In addition to Velcro each corner features two lines of D-rings that will be used to lace the corners shut making it a reliable solution in high wind applications.

We spend an extra $0.10 for larger 2” D-rings. They are a thicker gauge with a welded seam mounted on 6,000lbs webbing. The larger ring size hangs flat inside of the webbing and can be tucked tightly against the row to prevent spinning. This tarp features 72 D-rings so using them adds another $7 to the bottom line but again it is money well spent.

Thread Size

Threads are what hold the D-rings in place and are responsible for a surprising amount of the cost. The industry standard thread size is 138 which features 21lbs breaking strength. Our truck tarps are constructed using 277 thread which has 44lbs breaking strength. This larger thread costs 50% more plus it takes more of it to sew the same distance. Once the D-Rings fall off the tarp is useless so when cutting corners threads are the absolute last thing that should be considered.

Stitch spacing

We use a 6-7 stitch spacing which means for every one inch of length there are 4 stitches. Many other brands are closer to one stitch per inch which uses 75% less thread and is probably the reason you are online searching for a new tarp guy today.

Lookout Mountain Tarp will have these tarps made to order and will ship within a week. If you have anything custom you'd like to add or change for your tarp, you can give us a call at 256-775-1322.