As we previously mentioned in our blog, “Reaching New Heights: A Track Record of the Eagle Tarp System,” it has been well over 20 years since we last put our Eagle Tarp System’s track though any sort of testing. We knew our next evolution of testing had to be major to make up for lost time.
Testing, Testing – Strength and Durability
Testing the track of our Eagle Tarp System allows us to stand behind our products because we know (first-hand) and have the proof to show just how superior our products are compared to our competitors when it comes to quality. So that got us thinking – what are some of the ways we could evaluate for quality?
A better first question to ask is: what should be considered when describing something as “high-quality”? For us here at Verduyn Tarps, we use strength and durability as two measurements of high-quality. Our Crane Test was the test we dreamed up to determine and show the strength of our Track. But for durability, we wanted to push the boundaries further…
But Is It…Bulletproof?
In case you did not know, the definition of durability is “the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage” (Oxford Languages, 2024). And so, what is more durable than… a bullet? Let this lightbulb moment mark the beginning of the making of our “Bulletproof Test.”
Before you read on, let us confirm… yes, you did read that correctly. Bullets. Our team came together to organize a way we could show the durability of our Track by shooting at it with bullets. We used a total of three handguns: .45 caliber, 9mm, .22 caliber; and a shotgun.
Luckily and fortunately, our General Manager from our Gary, Indiana location is an US army veteran of six years. For four years Tony Stumpf was in active duty, followed by two years with the National Guard in the 131st infantry in Joliet, Illinois. His MOS was 16-Sierra, which is part of the air defense artillery. Tony’s job was to “knock down enemy aircraft with a stinger missile.” To say that he was qualified for this latest mission is clearly an understatement.
The backdrop was a remote field in Indiana. With Tony in front of the camera, gun cocked, he fired at a board which we custom made to hold sections of our track, as well as our competitors. Mounted to the board with bar clamps, Tony pointed, aimed, then fired an equal number of shots at each track section. The results (and Tony’s marksmanship) were shocking and utterly unexpected.
Prepare to Be Blown Away!
After each section of track was removed from the stand, they were collected for analysis. The most jaw-dropping observation was how only our Track from the Eagle Tarp System actually stopped any of the bullets from penetrating. Yep, that’s right! All the other competitors’ track sections had holes blown completely through them from front to back. No other track was durable enough to withstand the force of a bullet. And not only did the Eagle Track stop the bullets, but it totally flattened a .45 caliber bullet (see photos).
So why is it so important that you have the most durable track on the market? Here are just a few of the important benefits you will enjoy with our Eagle Tarp System and the most durable track on the market:
- Our strong and durable bump rail withstands forklifts bumps when loading and protect your wheels behind it.
- Spend less time off-road with fewer repairs and more peace of mind so you can keep your wheels in motion when your system is made of the highest-quality materials.
- Effortlessly open and close your system every time and enjoy a much smoother experience when loading, increasing your confidence and keeping you on schedule.
- Lightweight construction to save fuel and energy despite the strength to stand up to a bullet!
Our Track Record Speaks for Itself
And that is not all! Don’t forget about our patented tie-down rail built right into our track. We are the only rolling tarp system on the market with a patented tie down rail… and here is why you want this feature as part of your next rolling tarp system:
- Keep your tie downs out of the weather.
- Eliminates the need to fight to get your hooks through the weather strip.
- Mounting to the outside of the trailer rub-rail allows you to load full deck width.
- Easily tie down where you do not have a winch, or your axles will not allow a winch.
We knew we had an exceptionally durable track, but these results prove we’re in a league of our own. We invite you to see the results for yourself, in-person. We have created a display board (which will be travelling around to all four of our locations) showing the results of our testing of our track as well as all the competitors’ track sections side-by-side. We will let you be the final judge when it comes to which track is the most durable on the market (although the results really do speak for themselves).
Grab the Popcorn…
And the best part? We captured all this testing on film. So now you know there is absolutely no making up these results. Our full-length video featuring all the strength and durability testing with the Track of our Eagle Tarp System after 20 years will also be made available on our YouTube channel… very, very soon! If you want to be first in line to premier our full-length video, subscribe to the #VerduynVIP email list on our website’s homepage (scroll down).
If you want to see our track up close, with your own eyes, give us a call! Contact us (1-88-TARPS-R-US) or stop in at any one of our four locations where all of your questions about our Track and the Eagle Tarp System will be answered. Lastly, consider grabbing a Quote for your own Eagle Tarp retractable tarping system from the road… we hope to see you in our bays soon!
