We purchased this in October 2009 and my husband and I put it together exactly how the directions specified--it barely made it a year before a tear started right along the top and completely tore across the entire length of the tarp. At first, we thought this was a great buy to protect our horse hay. We have a lot of wind in Wyoming, but it withstood a year's test of winter storms without any issues. Not sure what would have caused the tear, but very disappointed.