The best piece of material to have around is one that has multiple uses. This characteristic describes the tarpaulin or tarp, which is a large sheet of strong and typically waterproof material, usually made with polyester-coated polyethylene, canvas cloth, vinyl, or silnylon. Most tarps have corners and sides reinforced with grommets for attaching poles, tying down, or suspending.
Uses for tarpaulins are almost as varied as the people who own them. Their functions include protecting against the elements, collecting and hauling debris, displaying advertising, and keeping things dry. Here are the top reasons to use tarpaulins.
Clean Work Surface
Whether you’re organizing your camping gear or gutting fish, a tarp gives you a sizable flat surface when no clean floor space is available. A tarp is especially handy if you can’t be indoors but need to lay out tools or keep objects from getting dirty. Also, your tarp will likely be a color like blue, orange, or yellow that contrasts with most outdoor surfaces, like grass, rocks, or sand. The tarp’s color will likely help you visually keep track of your materials.
Firewood Cover
If you regularly use firewood, then a tarp is one of your most valuable possessions. Firewood is useless if it’s wet, and keeping it covered under a tarp will ensure it’s dry enough for your next fire. Whether you’re at home or out camping, make sure you tuck the corners of the tarp under the firewood so that it doesn’t come loose and let water in.
Ground Cover for Tents
For some folks, tent camping is a great outdoor pursuit. However, it’s a lot less enjoyable without a tarp underneath the tent, which would protect the bottom of the tent from damage due to sticks and rocks. A tarp would also prevent water from leaking into the tent during heavy rains.
Rainwater Collection
Just as a tarpaulin can deter water, the tarp can also collect it. A tarpaulin is flexible enough for you to arrange it into a makeshift drain or funnel to gather rainwater and direct it to flow into a storage container.
Various Forms of Shelter
When it comes to setting up an impromptu shelter, nothing beats the versatility of a tarp. If you can rig a tarp for overhead cover, you might not need to invest in a camping tent. If you prefer to sleep in a hammock, then an overhanging tarpaulin is essential to protect you from the elements. Even when you’re not camping overnight, a tarp can provide shade on hot, sunny days.
Carrying Tool
Many tarpaulins are strong enough to carry bulky items. To fashion a stretcher, just fold a heavy-duty tarp over and under two long poles. With this stretcher, you can haul firewood and rocks as long as you don’t have to carry the load for a long distance.
Wind Barrier
When you’re working or relaxing outdoors in windy conditions, use rope or guy lines to tie a tarp to a couple of trees or poles. This method gives you an instant windbreaker. Most types of tarpaulins are strong enough to provide wind protection.
Long-Lasting Material
A tarp has many uses, and it usually has a long life. Even when a tarpaulin starts to show wear, you should still keep it around. For instance, you might not be able to use an old tarp for camping or shelter, but it still might work to haul leaves or cover a pile of firewood.
Few pieces of equipment are as multipurpose and useful, and yet as overlooked as a tarpaulin. If you’re lucky enough to own a tarp, don’t leave it in storage. Keep it cose by and get many years of use out of it.
The best piece of material to have around is one that has multiple uses. This characteristic describes the tarpaulin or tarp, which is a large sheet of strong and typically waterproof material, usually made with polyester-coated polyethylene, canvas cloth, vinyl, or silnylon. Most tarps have corners and sides reinforced with grommets for attaching poles, tying down, or suspending.
Uses for tarpaulins are almost as varied as the people who own them. Their functions include protecting against the elements, collecting and hauling debris, displaying advertising, and keeping things dry. Here are the top reasons to use tarpaulins.
Clean Work Surface
Whether you’re organizing your camping gear or gutting fish, a tarp gives you a sizable flat surface when no clean floor space is available. A tarp is especially handy if you can’t be indoors but need to lay out tools or keep objects from getting dirty. Also, your tarp will likely be a color like blue, orange, or yellow that contrasts with most outdoor surfaces, like grass, rocks, or sand. The tarp’s color will likely help you visually keep track of your materials.
Firewood Cover
If you regularly use firewood, then a tarp is one of your most valuable possessions. Firewood is useless if it’s wet, and keeping it covered under a tarp will ensure it’s dry enough for your next fire. Whether you’re at home or out camping, make sure you tuck the corners of the tarp under the firewood so that it doesn’t come loose and let water in.
Ground Cover for Tents
For some folks, tent camping is a great outdoor pursuit. However, it’s a lot less enjoyable without a tarp underneath the tent, which would protect the bottom of the tent from damage due to sticks and rocks. A tarp would also prevent water from leaking into the tent during heavy rains.
Rainwater Collection
Just as a tarpaulin can deter water, the tarp can also collect it. A tarpaulin is flexible enough for you to arrange it into a makeshift drain or funnel to gather rainwater and direct it to flow into a storage container.
Various Forms of Shelter
When it comes to setting up an impromptu shelter, nothing beats the versatility of a tarp. If you can rig a tarp for overhead cover, you might not need to invest in a camping tent. If you prefer to sleep in a hammock, then an overhanging tarpaulin is essential to protect you from the elements. Even when you’re not camping overnight, a tarp can provide shade on hot, sunny days.
Carrying Tool
Many tarpaulins are strong enough to carry bulky items. To fashion a stretcher, just fold a heavy-duty tarp over and under two long poles. With this stretcher, you can haul firewood and rocks as long as you don’t have to carry the load for a long distance.
Wind Barrier
When you’re working or relaxing outdoors in windy conditions, use rope or guy lines to tie a tarp to a couple of trees or poles. This method gives you an instant windbreaker. Most types of tarpaulins are strong enough to provide wind protection.
Long-Lasting Material
A tarp has many uses, and it usually has a long life. Even when a tarpaulin starts to show wear, you should still keep it around. For instance, you might not be able to use an old tarp for camping or shelter, but it still might work to haul leaves or cover a pile of firewood.
Few pieces of equipment are as multipurpose and useful, and yet as overlooked as a tarpaulin. If you’re lucky enough to own a tarp, don’t leave it in storage. Keep it cose by and get many years of use out of it.
