Cargo Cover / Tarp Life Expectancy

I pulled the cargo cover off to pressure wash it, and now I am trying to decide whether to leave it off or not. Does anyone know approximately how long these tarps last if you leave them installed? I guess I am mainly wondering how much the sun will deteriorate it, coupled with wear from it flapping around when you are driving.

Also, anyone else who has one purchased on with a cargo cover already installed...I recommend you check the horizontal poles that the inside straps attach to along the top. On mine there are a few places where the straps held moisture and allowed the tubing to rust and expand. Several of the rectangular metal rings on the cover used to secure the straps were also rusted. The cover itself is in great condition though.

I've found that the rubber cord material on the newer vinyl tops gets attacked by sun and ozone first. My truck has too sit outside, so I store the cargo cover inside until I want to use it.

Outside weather doesn't help them any. As much as the cost, and as handy as they are, for some things, I keep mine folded up & stored inside, till I really need it.

Thanks for the replies, that is probably what I will end up doing. I noticed the rubber cords/bungees are all similar but different lengths. Do they just make these things up as they go, cutting the cord off a spool and attaching ends? That might explain why they are all just a little different length.

Oxyacetylene said:

Thanks for the replies, that is probably what I will end up doing. I noticed the rubber cords/bungees are all similar but different lengths. Do they just make these things up as they go, cutting the cord off a spool and attaching ends? That might explain why they are all just a little different length.

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I know little about present vehicles, but it sounds like you're referring to "Super Rope" such as:

http://www.eriksmilitarysurplus.com/rucorforcaco.html
(not the only source for this type of stuff, just one I could find very easily)

Which does just come in spools and you cut it as you want/need/use it.

Valence said:

I know little about present vehicles, but it sounds like you're referring to "Super Rope" such as:

http://www.eriksmilitarysurplus.com/rucorforcaco.html
(not the only source for this type of stuff, just one I could find very easily)

Which does just come in spools and you cut it as you want/need/use it.

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Yep that looks like the stuff. Maybe there is a source for the plastic hooks/clips on the ends so you could make custom or replacements. All of mine look fine so far, no cracks or anything.

You can buy the rubber cord in rolls.....its not expensive. The tarps last a long time if they are not getting punted by hot and cold. If you do not need it on, i would leave it off. Its a pain to put back on.

The hooks on the end of the "super cord" should unsnap, or unscrew. So, you may be able to salvage them.

This is the best price for the rubber rope out there.http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/119/1505/=s6e84h

wb1895 said:

The hooks on the end of the "super cord" should unsnap, or unscrew. So, you may be able to salvage them.

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Yeah I was wondering that. I may try to pop one apart if I have one that is in bad shape already. I am going to leave the cover off, at least for a while. There are a few rust spots where the support beams/poles rusted and swelled up so I am going to fix all that first.