Knowing how to best secure a tarp will protect your stuff and prolong the life of your tarp. The experts at Canopies and Tarps, America's go-to source for all things tarps and tarp tie downs, recommend having a few inexpensive materials on hand to get the job done right.

Just follow a few easy tips, whether you're storing a vehicle or protecting backyard equipment. Learn how to best secure a tarp, whether you're covering cargo in a truck bed, tarping a campsite, securing patio tarps or creating a DIY tarp shelter.

If you already have a tarp, half your job is done, whether you chose an all-purpose blue tarp, breathable canvas tarp or specialty tarp. If you want to confirm you have the right tarp, a quick, free tip is to check out the product pages at CanopiesAndTarps.com.

The product descriptions will describe the benefits and uses of each style. Match the detailed descriptions to your tarp to confirm its benefits. (P.S. If you discover you have the wrong tarp for the job, quickly order the right one while you're on the Canopies and Tarps website.)

Knowing the Ropes, Stakes and Cords

While you might think regular rope or wire will work, you actually might need something different. Rope and wire are extremely rigid and don't have much give, and can put too much stress on the tarp's grommets, which can lead to ripping. What can you use instead?

If you want your tarp to be secure and durable, you will want to use something more flexible. Ball bungee cords or bungee tie downs are the best options. Bungee ties are elastic, which allows them to move freely with the wind. That flexibility greatly reduces the chances of your tarp tearing.

When you use bungees, the cords evenly distribute the stress along the tarp. When you use rope, the rope will pull at the grommets, putting more stress in a central location, which can cause rips or tears.

You can also use bungee cords to secure poles to the ground if you are using a tarp to create a canopy or shelter. Tying one end to the pole and the other end to a tent stake will keep your poles up while evenly distributing stress during strong winds or rains, or if someone trips or pulls on the cord.

Tying Down Your Tarp

When it comes to tying down a tarp, the first thing you need to do is prepare your space. If you are setting up a shelter, spread your tarp flat over the ground where you would like it to be to ensure the tarp is large enough for coverage.

For covering truck beds, place your items in the truck as evenly as possible. A flat, uniform surface is easier to cover than a peaked, uneven surface. If you are storing a car or other vehicle, lay the tarp down over your vehicle, making sure you have the same amount of material on each side for equal coverage. Excess fabric can be tucked in and under the equipment or cargo.

Bungee Balls and Tie Downs

Choosing the right bungee balls or bungee tie-downs will help you use the grommets on your tarp to secure to poles, fence posts, tarp stakes or other anchors. If you're setting up a canopy and want to attach your tarp to poles, we recommend using 6-in. black ball bungees, since you won't need much length to wrap the bungees through the grommets and around the poles.

You will want something longer for securing the poles to ground stakes. If you are using the tarp to cover truck cargo or a vehicle, consider our 24-in. heavy-duty bungee tie-downs. These flexible bungee cords have sturdy metal ends that hook to the truck bed's sides or around a vehicle. We have bungee tie downs in other lengths ranging from 12 in. to 72 in., which will help you find the right match for your needs.

After you have the bungees attached to and through the grommets, it's time to finish tying down your tarp. Take the other end of your bungee and secure it to the frame of your truck bed or vehicle. The bungees should be taut, but there should be some space between your vehicle and tarp to allow for air flow. Then, tuck in any loose edges and corners to avoid ends becoming loose in the breeze and exposing your cargo.

Tarp Straps On Top?

For extra security, truckers and outdoor sports enthusiasts rely on rubber tarp straps from Canopies and Tarps that are available in lengths ranging from 4 in. to 41 in. These weather-resistant 100% EPDM rubber tarp tie-down straps have sturdy metal hooks at each end to hook around, under and/or over your tarp and truck load to secure to the truck sides.

We sell tarp straps in economical 10-packs, because you'll find dozens of uses for them, from adding an extra layer of security to camp gear and backyard lawn equipment covers to bundling pipes and other hardware during DIY builds of canopy tents or greenhouses.

Stretchy tarp straps can be especially handy when securing a flat tarp to a seemingly cumbersome piece of machinery like a motorcycle, with its handlebars, side mirrors and other jutting fixtures. Stretching multiple tarp straps over, under and around the bike over the tarp will result in full coverage for temporary or long-term storage to protect it from the elements.

When sports enthusiasts add cumbersome sets of skis or racing bikes beneath a previously smooth load under a tarp, those tarp straps can stretch over and around the bulky added cargo to secure all contents.

For Best Tarps And Tie-Down Accessories

At Canopies and Tarps, we have everything you need to tie down and secure a tarp. Plus, our discount prices are hard to beat. Negotiating low prices on high-quality inventories is one of the many benefits of the know-how accumulated during our more than 35 years of experience in this industry.

Shop our wide selection of quality tarps, bungee cords, canopy fittings, tarp stakes and other accessories to ensure you always have the essentials on hand for your next project.