A Tarp has many uses. One common application of a tarp is protecting equipment or supplies from rain when camping or taking part in survival adventures.
Consider purchasing a high-quality tarpaulin that is mildewproof and durable - although this will cost more up front, its value will far outweigh cheap tarps that tear or tear quickly.
Protects Vehicles
Tarps can not only protect your vehicle from weather and debris, they're also ideal for keeping items dry. For instance, if you have firewood that needs to be stored in your garage, using a tarp will protect it from water and moisture damage while still allowing ventilation. Campers or RV owners could use tarps as covers that shield equipment from dust while providing ventilation - keeping their floor spotless from spills!
Though some individuals do use a tarp as a car cover, doing so is generally not advised. Tarps often feature rough surface textures that can scratch your paintwork and trap moisture underneath, leading to mold or rust growth. Furthermore, these covers do not fit snugly over your car - meaning that they either drag on the ground or get caught by strong winds and may get lost altogether.
Due to these reasons, it is advisable only to use tarps as temporary protection of your vehicle. However, they are extremely versatile and can be used to cover multiple types of equipment or vehicles - for instance an RV stored temporarily or boat being transported; also commonly used to cover loads on open trucks/wagons as well as keeping wood piles dry, protecting wood piles during transport, providing shelter such as canopies/awnings etc.
Tarps can also serve to protect cars from road salt and other corrosive materials that could wreak havoc under their vehicle, including corrosion from melting snow and ice, which could corrode its undercarriage and brakes. A vinyl tarp is an effective means of protecting it against such potential dangers.
Shelters Camping Equipment
When selecting a tarp to protect camping equipment from the elements, it's vital that you choose one made of high-quality material that can withstand both wind and rain. Mil thickness measurements should also be listed on packaging or labels to indicate its thickness. You should also take into consideration how much weight can be supported by each product - your tent, sleeping bag and backpack could all put strain on its support structure!
Your choice of tarp may come equipped with poles and guylines; otherwise, you can add them yourself for different shelter configurations. For instance, creating a lean-to shelter by pegging down one side and raising the other using trekking poles with tensioned guylines can create an attractive lean-to shelter configuration; alternatively, two-sided A-frame structures with twin openings could be created using trekking poles placed along an adjoining side and raised using tensioned guylines are another possibility.
Another factor to keep in mind when selecting a tarp is how easily it can be customized. The material must accept screenprinting or other methods of decoration easily; generally woven tarps won't do the trick here while solid cover materials typically feature smooth surfaces that accept decoration readily.
Most tarps come with stakes that can be used to anchor the ridgeline and extend guylines, but it's wise to bring some additional stakes just in case you need them. Also consider bringing different kinds of stakes depending on where you plan to pitch your shelter - for instance a shepherd's hook works great on rocky ground while Y or V stakes work better when pitching it on sandy or snowy surfaces.
Tarp camping provides an unforgettable outdoor experience, but does require certain basic outdoor skills in order to build a secure shelter. This includes knot tying techniques as well as selecting an appropriate campsite with minimal wind or rainfall conditions for positioning your tarp shelter and selecting an effective position within it - as well as being aware of dead branches which could fall onto it during high winds.
Creates an Improvised Container
When camping or exploring in nature, tarps can serve as an invaluable way of protecting gear from the elements. But did you know they also double as containers? Simply fold it into a bowl shape, secure its corners, and you have waterproof storage solutions for items like food or firewood! This tip should come in handy for outdoor enthusiasts as well as anyone who spends time outside.
Tarps can make great tent-like structures when set up on smooth surfaces such as sand. Their edges can then be weighted down using stones or sand for an effective waterproof barrier against wind and rain, providing shelter against weather events like winds or rainfall. This technique can especially come in handy in bear areas where food must be safely stored out of reach from hungry bears.
As when using any material to provide shelter, heat can quickly penetrate tarps. Therefore, when it comes to using one as an emergency survival shelter it's wise to invest in one made from high-grade nylon or ripstop Cordura as this type of fabric offers greater resistance against sun exposure and chemical exposure than more cost-effective plastic tarps - therefore making an excellent long-term investment for anyone using their tarp as a survival shelter.
If you want to try this tarp hack yourself, Canvas and Canopy offers one of the widest selections of sizes and materials on the market, with excellent customer service that will help you select a tarp that meets all your needs and demonstrate its setup so that it's ready for survival situations.
Keeps Your Car Clean
A tarp can keep your car clean by protecting it from the elements such as rain, snow, harmful UV rays, and hail. Furthermore, this protects other items such as tents furniture and camping equipment from being destroyed during storms by protecting against falling over or being blown away during storms.
However, not all tarps fit perfectly and could potentially damage your car. A snugly fitted tarp may rub against its paint and cause chipping, smearing, or other surface-level damage; or allow sunlight into your car and crack its windows - if this is an issue for you consider opting for one in lighter colors that blocks UV rays as these could provide greater protection.
Tarps can also pose issues for car covers due to being made of inexpensive plastic material which traps moisture under it and may lead to mold or mildew growth in your vehicle.
Woven tarps make it difficult or impossible to add custom logos and slogans because their material cannot be screen printed - a common problem among cheaper woven tarps sold at hardware stores. On the other hand, solid cover material that has been made using processes like calendaring or extrusion can support customization more easily.
Considerations should also be given to the weight of a tarp when choosing it as a car cover. Heavy covers made of PVC, vinyl or EDPM will add substantial weight to a vehicle and could prove difficult when moving it back and forth multiple times throughout the day.
Tarps can also provide valuable help when it comes to cleaning and protecting your car. Some people place them on the ground before parking their vehicle on it - this practice is often employed when mice infestation is an issue; but anyone without garage or carport could also benefit from putting one down as it protects against debris on the road and prevents mice from entering your vehicle.