Do I need a tarp to go to the dump?

Many landfills and transfer stations require covered loads or charge a surcharge for uncovered ones. A tarp over the whole load, tied down at the edges, meets most site rules.

How many straps should I use on a pickup load?

Use enough to hold every large item from moving forward, sideways and up. As a benchmark, federal rules for commercial cargo require tie-downs with a combined working load limit of at least half the cargo weight.

Are bungee cords enough to hold a load?

Bungees work for holding tarp edges and light items. Use ratchet or cam straps for furniture, appliances, mattresses and anything heavy.

How dangerous is road debris?

The AAA Foundation found that road debris played a role in about 50,658 police-reported crashes a year from 2011 to 2014, with roughly 125 deaths per year.

How to Secure a Load for the Dump

Updated 2026-10-23

A load that is fine in your driveway can come apart at 55 mph. Wind gets under a mattress, a box of shingles shifts in a turn, and a bag of trash lifts out of the bed. Securing it takes about ten minutes and a few dollars of gear.

Why it matters

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety studied police-reported crashes from 2011 to 2014. Road debris was a factor in about 50,658 crashes a year, which caused roughly 9,805 injuries and 125 deaths annually. About two-thirds of those crashes involved items that fell from vehicles, often because of poor maintenance or unsecured loads. Furniture and appliances were among the most common items. Nearly 37 percent of the deaths happened when a driver swerved to avoid something in the road.

Why dumps charge for uncovered loads

Many landfills and transfer stations add a surcharge when a load arrives without a tarp or tie-downs. Trash that blows off on the access road becomes their cleanup job, and many states have laws against driving with an unsecured load. Check the site's rules on the dump fees page. An uncovered load can cost you more at the gate than the tarp would have.

What you need

A tarp big enough to cover the whole load and hang over the sides.
Ratchet straps or cam straps for heavy or tall items.
Bungee cords or rope to hold the tarp edges down.
A cargo net for loose bags and light debris, either instead of a tarp or on top of one.

Step by step

1. Load heavy items first. Put the heaviest things at the front of the bed, against the cab, and low. Lay furniture and boxes flat when you can.

2. Fill gaps. Wedge bags and smaller items between big pieces so nothing can slide. A tight load shifts less.

3. Strap the big items. Run straps over large objects and hook them to the tie-down points of the truck or trailer. AAA Foundation advises tying large objects directly to the vehicle. Commercial carriers follow federal cargo rules, which are a useful benchmark. Under 49 CFR 393.106, the combined working load limit of the tie-downs must be at least half the weight of the cargo. A strap that goes over the cargo and hooks to the opposite side counts at full strength. A strap that only hooks on one side counts at half.

4. Cover everything. Spread the tarp over the entire load, front to back. AAA Foundation recommends covering the whole load with a sturdy tarp or netting. Fold the front edge under so wind cannot catch it at speed.

5. Tie the tarp down. Hook bungees or rope through the grommets every few feet. Pull the front corners tight first, since that is where air hits.

6. Do not overload. Keep the load below the top of the bed rails or trailer sides when you can. Check your vehicle's payload rating in the owner's manual or on the door sticker.

7. Recheck. Pull over after the first mile or two and tug every strap. Loads settle, and straps loosen as they do.

Tips for common dump loads

Mattresses and box springs act like sails. Lay them flat, strap them across the middle and at both ends, and keep them under the tarp.
Brush and branches poke through tarps. Use a cargo net or tie the bundles first. See yard waste sites.
Drywall, shingles and lumber are heavy and slide in a stop. Push them against the front wall. See construction debris.
Appliances should stand upright against the front and be strapped on both sides.

Unloading at the site

Take off the tarp only when you are parked in the unloading area. Wind at the tipping floor can carry loose material. Keep your straps in the cab so they do not end up in the pile. If you tow a trailer, see our guide on loading a trailer for the dump. To find a site with public drop-off, use the map.

Sources: AAA Foundation: Crashes Involving Road Debris, 2011-2014, eCFR: 49 CFR Part 393 Subpart I, Cargo Securement