Keeping small maintenance items like a tarp on hand is one of the most important things you can do to save yourself from unnecessary and unending frustration. A tarp isn’t something you think about every day, but it’s also not an item you can afford to be without. Here are eight reasons why you should keep a tarp on hand at all times:
1. You’ll Always Have a Dry Area to Work From
If you’ve ever worked on a car sitting on wet ground, you know how frustrating it can be. You’ll spend much time with a towel or shop vac trying to get the water out from under the chassis. Using a tarp to protect your working area prevents this, and it’s super easy. You need to cover the ground with a tarp if you’re doing anything on your car that involves water, mud, or snow. Doing so will protect the car and the ground underneath it and make cleaning up that much easier. You can also use this to protect the ground under your truck if you have a trailer.
2. Tarps are Cheap and Easy to Store
While you can get some pretty expensive tarps, they’re not necessary. A cheap, 1-2m tarp will work just as well. Many people keep a tarp in their car, always there when needed. They take up very little space and are easy to store. If you keep a tarp in your car, you’ll always have a dry place to work from. If you use a tarp to cover your garage floor, it’s easy to throw it in the wash when it gets too dirty. They dry quickly and take up very little space. Tarps are also really easy to find. You can find cheap tarps at places like Home Depot or a discount store like Harbor Freight. You can also find them at auto parts stores and online at stores like Amazon. They are very cheap, easy to store, and incredibly useful.
3. Protect Your Car From the Elements and UV Rays
One of the most common uses for a tarp is to protect the car from the elements. If you have a car in the shade, it’s a good idea to cover it up with a tarp. If you have a car outside in the sun, it’s a must. The sun will do a number on the paint on your car, and the inside will get very hot. Covering your car with a tarp will protect it from UV rays and the elements. You’ll also help keep the inside cooler in the summer. Ideally, you’ll want to open the windows a bit so the car can cool off, but you can shut them when it gets too hot.
4. Repairs Are Much Easier When You Don’t Have to Dry Out Everything Else
It’s very easy to get a part or tool wet when working. If you have a car in the shade and are working on the ground, you’ll likely get moisture on the ground. A tarp will help keep the moisture from getting into the car. When repairing something, it’s best to keep everything as clean as possible. This means keeping everything on the tarp and away from the ground. This also means keeping everything off the dirt and mud that will probably be on the ground.
5. They’re Great for Organizing Tools and Parts
Another thing that you can do with a tarp is to organize your tools and parts when you’re working. If you have a large project and a tarp, you can throw all your tools and parts on the tarp. If you’re working on a smaller project, you can throw the tools and parts on the tarp and keep them organized. You can fold the tarp and put it away when you’re done. This makes it easy to find the tools and parts you need when you need them.
6. Very Handy for Repairs Involving Mud, Water, or Slush
One of the most frustrating parts of a repair is trying to clean it up. After you’re done repairing your car or truck, you want to ensure you’ve cleaned up all the mud, water, slush, or whatever was on the ground. There’s nothing worse than having to spend extra time cleaning up after a repair. Using a tarp makes this process much easier. You can put the tools and parts on the tarp and throw them in the mud or water. When you’re done, you can throw the tarp in the wash.
7. Wrapped Tarp Covers Are Great for Storage
If you have a car that you don’t drive often, a tarp can be a great way to protect it from the elements. You can wrap your car up in the tarp and cover it completely to protect it from UV rays and the weather. You can also use a tarp to cover a car that you’re working on in the garage. This will keep all the dirt, dust, and other things off your car. It’s also great to store a car you don’t drive often.
8. Wrapped Tarp Can Be Used as an Emergency Shelter
If you ever find yourself in an emergency, a tarp can be used as a shelter. You can cut a hole in the tarp for a door or use breathable tarps for emergency shelter. You can use this for yourself or even for pets. If you keep a tarp in your car, you can also use it as an emergency shelter. This is a great thing to have in case of an emergency. You never know when you might need it.
Conclusion
A tarp is one of those maintenance items that you’ll use often enough that it’s worthwhile keeping one on hand. They are incredibly cheap and easy to store, and you can use them in various ways. There’s no reason not to keep a tarp on hand. They’re cheap, easy to use, and very versatile. Having a tarp on hand is a worthwhile investment.
