A tarp for a vehicle bed is developed for engagement with a reel that is rotated by a motor for rolling and unrolling the tarp across a vehicle bed. When the tarp has been unrolled and fully covers the vehicle bed, the tarp stretches across the vehicle bed and has side edges supported upon the respective upper edges of the bed side walls. The features or structures of the tarp that are kinematic are designed such that they may be permanently attached to the other members in the machine or tarp system, which thereby meets functional needs of the tarp, and provide long term consistent deployment of the tarp covering sections. The material used in this kinematic part of the tarp is chosen such that the life of this component is improved. Additionally, covering sections are provided in this tarp configuration.