Abstract: A tarpaulin side kit for use with a separate top cover in covering a load on a vehicle having a flat bed and a plurality of post brackets mounted at spaced apart locations along the periphery of the flat bed. The side kit includes a plurality of longitudinally arranged inverted U-shaped bows, a plurality of side posts, and a plurality of side cover sections formed of a flexible, sheet-like tarp material. The side cover sections each have a plurality of pocket sized to receive the posts and support the side cover sections from slipping down on the posts. A weather flap extends along the length of each of the side cover sections and overlies the flat bed to protect the load from weather. A plurality of stake extensions are also provided to permit use of the side kit with higher standing loads. The bows, side posts and stake extension are conveniently stored in carries mounted to the underside of the bed of the vehicle.