Wind Out Hood Tarp
The wind out hood tarp system is the most common method of retractable load coverage.
A hood tarp system is an easy to operate tarping system that quickly and effectively covers a load from
ground level. It has a tarp attached to bows and blocks that move across a sliding surface via cables and pulleys. Wind out hood tarps can be controlled via a belt drive handle, a chain drive handle or using an
electric motor. The three main types of wind out hood tarps are “Dust Suppression – Quarry Mesh”, “Waterproof – PVC” and “ High Temperature – Asphalt Application”.
See also our electrical section for information about kits for wind out hood tarps

Dust Suppression / Waterproof / High Temperature / Electric Kits

Dust Suppression - Quarry mesh Spec
The dust suppression – quarry mesh tarp is designed specifically for Quarry applications. The fabric used in the tarp is a heavy duty monofilament mesh that is ideal for dust suppression, because of the high quality material used these dust suppression systems easily meet the appropriate environmental standards.

Some key features of the mesh tarps are:-

• Double reinforcing on pockets
• Stainless steel eyelets for anchoring to bows
• Seat-belt reinforcing around the edges
• Heavy duty UV rated thread.

Under normal operating conditions the expected usable life of this tarp fabric should be approximately
4-5years. The wind-out hood tarp systems for quarry mesh come in ranging bow heights from 150mm to 450mm, and come in various fleet colours.

Waterproof - PVC
The waterproof PVC hood tarp systems are ideal for grain and fertiliser cartage. The waterproofing can be done to three levels, 60% water resistance, 80% water resistance and 100% water resistance. The 60% water resistance is achieved by having PVC in place of quarry mesh. To achieve 80% the tarp has to be manufactured to cover to the edges of the tarping system. Finally 100% is achieved by manufacturing the tarp to cover the edges and to have flaps to overhang a determined length. A fully water resistant tarping system needs to be customised and hence there are various designs to suit different bodies. The flaps on 100% water resistance can be anchored in different spots allowing differing drops of material over the edges.

Some key features of the PVC tarps are:-

• Double reinforcing on pockets
• Stainless steel eyelets for anchoring to bows
• Seat-belt reinforcing
• Reinforced rear roll-up flap

The wind-out hood tarp systems for PVC come in ranging bow heights from 150mm to 450mm, and come in various fleet colours.

High Teperature -Asphalt Application
The high temperature hood tarps are design ideally for hot mix asphalt applications. Normal asphalt for local cartage is normally around 80 degrees but when used in longer distance cartage it can be up to 20 degrees more. The standard amount of coverage of an asphalt application tarp system is equivalent to an 80% water resistant PVC system, but can be customised for more coverage. It is important when dealing with asphalt to use the correct tarp fabric. PVC tarps are not recommended for asphalt as they are not designed for the high temperature and deteriorate rapidly.

Some key features of the FR tarps are:-

• Double reinforcing on pockets
• Stainless steel eyelets for anchoring to bows
• Seat-belt reinforcing around the edges
• Heavy duty FR material

The wind-out hood tarp systems for High Temperature – Asphalt Applications come in ranging bow heights form 150mm to 450mm, and come in various fleet colours.

Electric Kits for Hood Tarps

Any wind out hood tarp system is ideal for electric operation. Retractable Tarps is at the forefront of electric tarping systems and is proud to offer the best. Having an electric hood tarp system has a profound effect on productivity, instead of having to get out of the cab to manually cover a load it can be done with the ease of a remote or an in-cab switch, this means that you can cover your load on the go and get more loads in a day. Because the tarping system can be operated in-cab, it provides a dust free environment which provides a healthier and safer working environment. All existing manual wind out hood tarp systems can be upgraded to electric.

 
Some key features of electric kits are:-

• Best quality, purpose built gear motor drive systems.
• High-polished chrome-plated gearbox and motor that adds distinct impact to your truck’s profile.
• Complete kits available with heavy duty components.
• Retrofit kits are available to upgrade from manual.
• All systems are available in both 12V and 24V.

See also our Electrical Components section for more information on the components used in an electric tarping system.