Getting the Most from Your Tarps

Tarps are a Northwest essential, whether you own a ranch out in Eastern Washington or a homestead in the Willamette Valley.  The right tarp can keep the rain at bay, cover the RV, and keep your firewood dry. It’s all about protecting your property from the elements, keeping ATVs accessible, and ensuring your equipment makes it through another Northwest winter. Here are a few tips to get the most from your tarps.

Picking the Right Tarp

At Coastal Farm & Ranch, you’ll find a huge selection of tarps, including heavy-duty models designed to withstand anything Mother Nature can dish out. First, measure out how much tarp you need. Sizes range from 6’x8’ to 30’x60’.

Coastal tip: There is a difference between tarp cut sizes and finished sizes. The size listed on most tarps is the cut size, which can be 4-inches smaller than labeled.

Next, pick a tarp that will do the job. Foremost heavy-duty silver/brown reversible tarps offer ultraviolet treated protection, a cross weave in the fabric, and super heavy-duty industrial polyethylene. Or choose a Foremost drawstring tarp for easy access. For serious applications, canvas tarps can offer a lot of protection from the elements, including wind.

Covering Your Grill

If your grill cover has seen better days, create your own with a smaller tarp. To cinch the bottom around your grill, just take one of the plastic ends (hooks) off a longer bungee cord and weave it through the grommets. Knot the end once you’ve reached the last grommet.

Keep Your ATVs Accessible

If you don’t have a custom-fit ATV cover, you can use a 10x10 tarp to completely cover your ATV or other small vehicle. To cinch the bottom around your ATV, take one of the plastic hook ends off a longer bungee cord and weave it through the grommets. Knot the end once you’ve run out of bungee. Use several bungee cords to create your cinching mechanism.

Protecting Deck Furniture

Depending on how much deck furniture you have, you will need a larger tarp for this one. Look for a 20’x20’ tarp that includes reinforced grommets. Lay the tarp over the stack and secure it with washers and screws directly into your deck. If you’re on a patio or don’t want to make a hole in your deck, anchor the tarp with heavy-duty tarp clips and milk jugs filled with sand.

Covering the Woodpile

If you can measure a cord of wood, then you know what size tarp you need. To make it easy to access your chopped wood, use tent stakes and heavy-duty rope to anchor the tarp.

Protecting the Boat

You’re going to need an extra-large tarp for this one. Lay the tarp over the boat and start securing each of the grommets to the boat trailer with bungee cords. If needed, use tarp clips and rope. Just be sure the tarp is completely secure.

Making a Temporary Garage

Owning an extra rig or two is great, but finding room for those vehicles in the garage can be impossible. To protect those cars and trucks from the elements, cover them with a large tarp. Secure the tarp in the vehicle’s wheel wells and in several places on the front and rear bumper.

Take Tarps Hunting 

When you’re out hunting, bring along an extra tarp or two to cover your kitchen area or to add privacy to a makeshift bathroom.

Quick Fix for Leaks

Northwest roofs take a beating. If your home suddenly develops a leak in the middle of the night, quickly cover a large area of your roof with a tarp. Start by laying the tarp over the nearest peak and down to where you feel the leak may be found. (Do not cover any vent piping in the process.) Anchor the tarp to your gutters, down spouts, or bring the rope all the way to the ground and use tent stakes.

You’ll Find Tarps at Coastal

Stop by your Northwest owned and operated Coastal Farm & Ranch where you’ll find all the tarps you need, including special ATV covers. We also carry bungee cords, tie downs and heavy-duty tarp clips to help you protect up your property from our legendary Northwest winters.

Extra Tarp Tips

Direct sunlight will affect any tarp over time – even those with UV protection. Extend the life of your tarp by keeping it partially shaded when possible.

Movement will cause your tarp to wear more quickly. Wind, either from nature or from towing, will shorten the life of your tarp.

Avoid puncturing your tarp. Once a hole is formed, it can be difficult to effectively patch your tarp for extended use.