Dump Truck Tarps Installation
- 1). Decide where you want to mount the tarp spool. The spool can be mounted on the back or top of the cab guard or on the top board pockets. If you decide to mount the spool on the top of the cab guard, position it so that the wind deflector will block the flow of air, keeping it from going under the tarp. If you decide to mount on the back of the cab guard, position the spool so that the wind deflector is located over the tarp spool.
- 2). Remove the tarp from the spool if it came delivered with the tarp already installed on it. Place the spool in the location you have decided to mount it. Check to make sure that the inside width of the spool's mounting brackets is the exact same width as the area onto which they are going to be mounted.
- 3). Hold up the mounting brackets and use them as a guide to drill the holes for the 1/2-inch mounting bolts. Drill the holes for the bolts into the cab guard or top board pockets. Insert the bolts into the bolt holes. Place a nut onto the opposite side of the bolt and tighten it to secure the mounting bracket.
- 4). Have your helper take one end of the tarp while you hold the opposite end. Walk the tarp out until it has completely unfolded. Lay the tarp straight and flat on the ground. Insert the rear tarp rod into the rod pocket located on the back end of the tarp. Make sure the rod is centered in the pocket.
- 5). Insert the provided plastic rod-centering flanges on the ends of the rear tarp rod. Move the flanges so that they are resting against the tarp. Turn the set screws of the flanges clockwise with a screwdriver to tighten them on the tarp.
- 6). Rotate the axle of the tarp spool about 20 times in a counter-clockwise direction to load the tarp spool spring. Have your helper hold onto the tarp spool once you have loaded its spring. Insert the front edge of the tarp beneath the spool. Feed it through so that the tarp moves around to the front of the spool and then up and over to the top of the spool. Line up the five metal grommets located on the front edge of the tarp with the threaded groove in the spool.
- 7). Position the tarp with your helper so that the front edge is centered on the spool. If your tarp comes with button-head bolts, use them to attach the tarp to the spool. Slide the outer bolts toward the inner part of the spool, which will make the tarp bunch up a bit. Have your helper slowly release the spring-loaded spool so that the tarp begins to roll onto the spool. Stop when the rear tarp rod has reached the mounting brackets.
- 8). Insert one end of the pull rope through the grommet located in the center of the rear tarp pocket. Wrap the pull rope around the rear tarp rod and tie a square knot into the end of it to secure it.
- 9). Install the tarp hooks onto the tailgate of the dump trunk. One pair should be mounted onto the driver's side of the end of the dump box, while the other pair is mounted onto the tailgate. The tarp hooks need to be mounted far enough apart to hold the rear tarp rod, so keep this in mind as you install them. Hold the hooks up to the truck. Use the bolt holes on the hooks as guides and drill the holes. Insert the provided hook screws into the hooks and tighten them.
- 10
Install the eye-bolt if you have mounted the tarp spool onto the top of the cab guard. The eye-bolt will hold down the tarp when it is fully retracted onto the spool. Drill a hole for the eye-bolt and insert the bolt. Place the provided nuts onto the ends of the eye-bolts and tighten them to secure them in place.