Q. Can LoAlbo Enterprises provide custom tarps and systems?
A. Yes! LoAlbo Enterprises, Inc. can design and customize the tarp you need to meet your truck cover application. We can also customize your truck tarp system to fit virtually any dump truck, dump body, dump trailer or open top container. As a national distributor for the top US Tarp Manufacturers including: Aero Industries, Cramaro Tarpaulin, Donovan Enterprises Inc., Merlot Manufacturing, Mountain Tarp and Pulltarps; LoAlbo Enterprises, Inc. can offer and design the right cover and covering system for your needs!
Q. What is a Flip Tarp?
A. A Flip Tarp, also referred to as an “Arm Tarp”, “Roll Tarp” or “Mousetrap Tarp” is unquestionably the most popular truck tarp system in use today. The Flip Tarp utilizes a series of externally mounted springs near the bottom center of the truck or trailer bed. The spring assemblies are connected to “arms” that elevate the tarp over the load for quick and easy covering. The design and appearance of the swing arms are similar to that of a mousetrap thereby it is often called a Mousetrap Tarp System. The tarp material can be mesh, vinyl or RFL. The tarp is rolled up on a roller bar at the front of the truck bed. This is the reason the system is sometimes called a Roll Tarp. The system is operated with a Manual Hand Crank either direct drive or ground level or it can be an electric tarp system utilizing the 12VDC from the Truck. The Flip Tarp has endless applications including dirt, stone, rock, sand, gravel, asphalt, waste, construction and landscape. It can be made semi-waterproof with the addition of a solid tarp (vinyl) and side flaps.
Q. What is a Cable Driven Tarp?
A. A Cable Driven Tarp also referred to as a “Cable Tarp” or “Accordion Tarp” is an ingenious design that utilizes a series of Pulleys, Cables and Bows to deploy and retract the tarp system. The entire system rests on the top rail of the dump body or dump trailer and “slides” along the top rail as the tarp is opened or closed. The tarp system is usually operated by a ground level hand crank, but electric tarp operation is an option as well. The cable tarp system has many trade names such as Panel Tarp, Slide-N-Go, Crank-N-Go, Tarp-N-Go, Bow Slider, Top Slider and Super Slider. All of these systems are functionally the same, but typically offer slight variations in options, design and style. The tarp material is usually mesh (anti-pollution) or vinyl (semi-waterproof). Some manufacturers offer a vinyl cover that extends over the side rail (drop side) creating a nearly waterproof cover. The cable system has many, many uses such as; dirt, stone, rock, sand, gravel, asphalt, waste, construction, agriculture (grain), and landscape. It is best suited for dump trucks or dump trailers with a flush top rail from front to rear (not well suited for dump trucks with cab shield protectors that are higher than the dump beds side rails).
Q. What is a Pull Tarp System?
A. As the name implies, Pull Tarp Systems are “pulled” over the load. The operator stands behind the dump body and pulls a rope to deploy the tarp. The tarp is retracted either manually (direct drive cab level hand crank) Semi-Automatically (spring loaded roller bar) or electrically (12VDC motor). A direct drive cab-level hand crank is the most economical system available and is great for a wide range of applications including smaller dump bodies and small pull behind trailers that are used in the landscape and construction industries. Semi-Automatic Systems are well suited for smaller dump bodies, but also work very well on larger dumps. Although these systems are typically armless, swing arms can be added to elevate the tarp over the load. Options such as the Load Climber help pull the tarp over heaped loads with out the addition of swing arms. Mesh or vinyl tarp material is most commonly used with a pull tarp. These systems can be made semi-waterproof with the addition of side flaps on a vinyl tarp.
Q. What is a Waste Covering System?
A. Waste Covering Systems are most frequently used to cover Roll-Off Cans or Walking Floor Transfer Trailers. Roll-Off Truck Systems are often called Automatic Tarpers or Auto Tarper. These systems are usually electric or hydraulic in nature and can cover 15, 20, 30, 40 and 50 yard open top containers. Auto Tarpers utilize an elevating gantry and flip arms to deploy the tarp over the load. The arms on this system are adjusted hydraulically to ensure that the tarp will land on the back of the container regardless of the length. The Donovan Mantis or Pioneer Rack-N-Pinion systems are two of the more popular versions of this system. A more economical version of the Auto Tarper is the Donovan Quick Flip which offers the benefits of the elevating gantry, but the swing arms are stationary in length. Other Roll-Off Covering Systems include the Donovan HY Tower SL and Mountain Tarp Mountain Climber. These systems use an elevating gantry, but the tarp is manually deployed by pulling the tarp from the spring loaded roller bar. This system functions much like a pull shade in your home. Finally, waste systems for transfer trailers include; the Donovan Sidewinder, Aero Lid and Mountain Tarp Side Flip. These systems use a hinged lid or cover that flips from the top of the trailer in the closed position to the side of the trailer in the open position.
Q. What is the best system for me?
A. Flip Tarp, Arm Tarp, Roll Tarp, Side Roll, Pull Tarp System, Cable Tarp, Waste System, Electric Tarp System, Manual Tarp System, Hydraulic Tarp System, Automatic Roll-Off System, Semi-Waterproof, waterproof, Mesh, Vinyl or RFL Asphalt; it can get awfully confusing! Based on your application, LoAlbo Enterprises, Inc. will work with you to help determine what is the best truck tarp system for you.
Q. How quickly can my order ship?
A. Most of our systems are in stock and can ship in one day to three days from date of order. Special size tarps or special order systems can delay shipment for an extra day or two.
Q. How will my order be delivered/shipped?
A. In order to keep shipping costs as low as possible, we try to utilize UPS whenever possible. Because some tarp system components are very long or bulky, we frequently must ship via motor freight.
Q. What guarantee or Warranty does LoAlbo Enterprises, Inc. offer?
A. LoAlbo Enterprises, Inc., LoAlbo.com and Tarpguy.com support the manufacturer warranties and guarantees as outlined by the individual manufacturer. Most offer a 90 guarantee on components and tarps to be free from manufacturer defect. Some specific items offer longer more extensive warranties or guarantees. For example some electric motors either direct drive or winch style offer a 3 year 100% warranty against manufacturer defects.
Q. What is your return policy?
A. LoAlbo Enterprises, Inc. will accept returns on any unused item or system. In most cases, the product will be delivered directly back to the manufacturer for evaluation prior to refunding the full cost of the product. Return shipping costs will be the responsibility of the customer unless the item or system was incorrectly shipped or is not the item or system ordered.
Q. What are your payment terms?
A. LoAlbo Enterprises, Inc. accepts Visa, Master Card or Cash in Advance. We will also offer net 30 terms to repeat customers or government agencies and municipalities.