Tarps – which are a great addition to any home or garage - can be used for a variety of purposes, from protecting your car from the elements to covering a pool during the winter. If you are in the market for the best heavy-duty tarp, we would highly recommend the ones on our list. They are durable, well-made, and will last you for years to come.
Here are the best heavy-duty tarps you can buy in 2024:
- Extra-Thick (Plastic Tarp): Trademark Extremely Heavy Duty Tarp
- Easy To Tie Down (Plastic Tarp): Xpose 10' x 12' Super Heavy-Duty 16-Mil Brown Poly Tarp
- Best For Sunny Areas (Plastic Tarp): Kotap TRW-1216
- Easy To Fold Flat (Canvas Tarp): AmazonCommercial HD400-0608-02TN
- Best For Canopy Tent (Canvas Tarp): CARTMAN CT6X8-2
- Best For Heavy Rain (Canvas Tarp): WHITEDUCK 18 oz. Heavy Duty Waterproof UV Resistant Tarp
| 6 Best Heavy-Duty Tarps | ||
|---|---|---|
Extra-Thick | Trademark Extremely Heavy Duty Tarp
| |
Easy To Tie Down | Xpose 10' x 12' Super Heavy-Duty 16-Mil Brown Poly Tarp
| |
Best For Sunny Areas | Kotap TRW-1216
| |
Easy To Fold Flat | AmazonCommercial HD400-0608-02TN
| |
Best For Canopy Tent | CARTMAN CT6X8-2
| |
Best For Heavy Rain | WHITEDUCK 18 oz. Heavy Duty Waterproof UV Resistant Tarp
| |
Extra-Thick: Trademark Extremely Heavy Duty Tarp
- Great durability – 21-mil thickness
- Protective from heavy rains – waterproofing material
- Not UV-resistant
This is one of the thickest tarps we tested. It is 21 mils (equivalent to 1.75 inches) thick, very durable, and heavy-duty.
This superb thickness doesn't cause the tarp to be as pliable as other counterparts.
It is also waterproof, which hence gives any protection needed, and is perfect for a variety of applications. Such as use as a cover for your pool, RV, boat, or canopy tent, or as a tarpaulin to protect your belongings from the elements.
| Trademark Extremely Heavy Duty Tarp Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 5.46 pounds |
Size | 8X10 |
Thickness | 1.75 inches |
Highlight Features | 21-mil thickness |
If you are on the market for an extra-thick heavy-duty tarp, our favorite pick is the Trademark
Easy To Tie Down: Xpose 10' x 12' Super Heavy-Duty 16-Mil Brown Poly Tarp
- Easy to tie down – strong and rust proof grommets
- Able to withstand extreme weather conditions - waterproofing, weatherproofing, and UV resistance abilities
- A bit pricey
If you need a heavy-duty tarp that's easy to tie down when in need, our recommendation is the Xpose 10' x 12'.
It features plenty of metal grommets, spaced 18" from each other, so you can easily tie them down and secure them to protect your belongings from wind and rain better.
This tarp is made of polyethylene, 16 mils thick, and has a high-density weave count. Along with that, it's excellently waterproof, weatherproof, and UV resistant, making the uses for it endless.
Whether you're looking to cover your car or keep your floors clean while painting, this tarp is up for the job!
| Xpose 10' x 12' Super Heavy-Duty 16-Mil Brown Poly Tarp Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 6.74 pounds |
Size | 10' x 12' |
Thickness | 16 mil |
Highlight Features | strong and rust proof grommets |
On the hunt for a heavy-duty tarp that’s easy to tie down? You shouldn’t skip the Xpose 10' x 12' Super Heavy-Duty 16-Mil Brown Poly Tarp
Best For Sunny Areas: Kotap TRW-1216
- Best for sunny areas - UV protection ability
- Versatile - a wide variety of sizes, weights, and colors
- Heat-sealed edges with polyethylene rope reinforcement
- The grommets’ material is thin
- Not 100% protective against strong winds
The UV protection of this heavy-duty tarp is unparalleled, making it a great choice for anyone who needs extra protection against the elements & UV light.
Not only sunproof, but this tarp is also strong, well-made, and a perfect combination of durability and flexibility.
It is made of 14 by 14 weave and features reinforced plastic corner bars and heat-sealed edges with polyethylene rope reinforcement for extra strength.
We appreciate that Kotap offers a wide variety of sizes, weights, and colors to choose from.
| Kotap TRW-1216 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 5.39 Pounds |
Size | 12' X 16' |
Thickness | 8-mil |
Highlight Features | UV protection ability a wide variety of sizes, weights, and colors |
We’d trust the Kotap TRW-1216 to keep our belongings damage-free and fading-free in sunny areas
Easy To Fold Flat: AmazonCommercial HD400-0608-02TN
- Easy to fold flat - rugged yet soft canvas material
- Strong - double reinforced corners and triple-thick hems
- Fade-resistant - UV sun protection
- Grommets need improvement
- Not 100% waterproof
What we really like about the AmazonCommercial HD400-0608-02TN is, it's very thick and heavy-duty but not bulky at all when folded.
Its rugged yet soft canvas material, along with grommets on all four sides, makes folding flat quickly and effortlessly.
This tarp is 15 mils thick and features double reinforced corners and triple-thick hems for added strength. It's also water resistant and breathable, plus provides UV sun protection to keep your belongings safe from fading or damage.
| AmazonCommercial HD400-0608-02TN Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 7.89 Pounds |
Size | 6 x 8 ft |
Thickness | 15 mils |
Highlight Features | rugged yet soft canvas material double reinforced corners and triple-thick hems UV sun protection |
The AmazonCommercial HD400-0608-02TN is the only heavy-duty canvas tarp that’s easy to fold flat and stays compact for easy transport.
Best For Canopy Tent: CARTMAN CT6X8-2
- Best for canopy tent - water-resistant, yet breathable material
- Great protection against elements - 24-mil thickness
- Not really true to color
Introducing the CARTMAN CT6X8-2 - a 24-mil ultra-thick canvas tarp that's heavy-duty, water-resistant, yet breathable, making it perfect for use as a canopy tent.
With rust proof grommets, you can tie the tarp down and secure it in place.
But that's not all.
For extra durability, the tarp is reinforced with high-quality patches at every grommet placement and corners using polyvinyl triangles.
| CARTMAN CT6X8-2 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 4.29 Pounds |
Size | 6' x 8' |
Thickness | 24 Mil |
Highlight Features | water-resistant, yet breathable material 24-mil thickness |
In search of the best heavy-duty tarp for canopy tents? Try the CARTMAN CT6X8-2
Best For Heavy Rain: WHITEDUCK 18 oz. Heavy Duty Waterproof UV Resistant Tarp
- Great protection from heavy rains - loomstate 12-ounce numbered duck fabric
- Durable - double-stitched seams and hems
- High visibility warning during nighttime - reflective tape at corners
- Spacing of the grommets is not correct
Made from loomstate 12-ounce numbered duck fabric, with double-stitched seams and hems, this tarp is extremely durable and will withstand all weather conditions, including heavy rains.
It provides a high visibility warning during nighttime, thanks to the reflective tape at corners. It also allows you to secure it in a variety of ways.
The grommets are made of rustproof stainless steel while the polypropylene loops on each grommet help reduce wear and tear.
| WHITEDUCK 18 oz. Heavy Duty Waterproof UV Resistant Tarp Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 18 Ounces |
Size | Finished size: 5'6"x7’6” Cut Size: 6'x8' |
Highlight Features | loomstate 12-ounce numbered duck fabric double-stitched seams and hems reflective tape at corners |
After testing a bunch of top-rated contenders, we found the WHITEDUCK 18 oz. Heavy Duty Waterproof UV Resistant Tarp offers the best protection from heavy rain.
How To Choose The Best Heavy-Duty Tarp?
Thickness
When it comes to tarpaulins, thickness is measured in millimeters and is an important factor to consider when selecting the right product for the job.
Heavier duty tarps are usually thicker than standard tarps, and this is one of the main ways they differ.
The thickness of a tarpaulin will affect its durability, strength and weight, so it's important to choose one that is appropriate for the task at hand.
For example, if you need a tarpaulin for a construction project, you'll need something much more heavy duty than if you were just using it to cover a garden shed.
Construction tarps are typically made from much thicker material, as they need to be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear.
On the other hand, garden shed covers can be made from thinner material as they don't need to be quite as tough.
When deciding on the thickness of your tarpaulin, think about what you'll be using it for and how much wear and tear it will need to withstand. If you're not sure, err on the side of caution and go for a thicker option - it's always better to be safe than sorry!
Waterproofing Quality
Waterproofing is one of the most important factors to consider. You'll want to make sure that the tarp you select can effectively keep water out and protect your belongings from moisture damage.
A heavyweight tarpaulin is also ideal for waterproofing.
Material & Durability
In addition to waterproofing, you'll also want to consider the tarp's durability.
Heavy duty tarps are designed to withstand rough use, so they're usually made from tough materials like polyethylene or canvas.
If you need a tarp that can stand up to serious abuse, look for one that's made from a heavy duty material.
Size
Finally, take into account the size of the tarp you need.
Heavy duty tarps come in a range of sizes, so it's important to select one that's appropriately sized for your needs.
If you're unsure about what size you need, it’s recommended choosing a larger tarp.
Which Brands Make The Best Heavy-Duty Tarp?
Xpose
If you're looking for a heavy duty tarp that can stand up to the elements, then you need to check out Xpose Safety. Their tarps are made from a strong, durable material that can withstand extreme weather conditions.
By offering numerous options, you for sure will find the perfect option in Xpose Safety, whether you need a tarp for your construction site or for your next camping trip.
Kotap
Kotap is an industry leader in manufacturing heavy duty tarps. Not only renowned for manufacturing high-quality products, Kotap's customer service is second to none, and they offer a wide variety of tarp sizes and styles to choose from.
AmazonCommercial
No other brand can compare to the balance between quality and price of AmazonCommercial tarps. And as this brand belongs to Amazon, you can rest assured about the reliability.
WHITEDUCK
There is no doubt that WHITEDUCK is the leading brand when it comes to heavy duty tarps. They have a wide range of sizes and styles to choose from, and their customer service is outstanding. If you need a heavy duty tarp, WHITEDUCK is the way to go.
FAQs
Which tarp material lasts the longest?
Vinyl is the longest-lasting tarp material. New 20-ounce vinyl tarps last 10-12 years while 13-ounce ones last 6-8 years.
What is better: vinyl or canvas?
Vinyl is better in terms of waterproofing while canvas is better to deal with high heat of 250+ degrees F.
How long will a heavy-duty tarp last?
It depends on many factors, such as the tarp material, thickness, and which kinds of weather the tarp is exposed to.
Vinyl tarps typically last 6-12 years; canvas tarps last 3-5 years.
How do you make a tarp last longer?
To make a tarp last longer, clean it properly and store away when not in use. The best storage place for tarps should be out of the ground, out of sunlight, in room temperature, and dry.
What is the best thickness for a tarp?
It depends on the purpose of use.
For heavy-duty uses, opt for tarps with 23 mils of thickness. For general uses, a tarp with at least 5 mils of thickness is highly recommended.
Conclusion
We have just walked you through the best heavy-duty tarp options on the market. It’s your turn now! Hopefully, this ultimate guide helped you get a picture of choosing the right one for your products, needs, and budget. Thanks for reading!
Harry RamosI’m Harry Ramos, who's crazy about all things green. I’m here to share some experience in my gardening adventure and how to choose the best products for your garden. Let's dig in, get our hands dirty, and celebrate the simple, earthy pleasures of the garden together!
