Truck Bed Protection

[GLyford]

I have a soft tonneau with the rails mounted to the inside lip, not on top. It suits my needs fine (mostly by serving as an "out of sight, out of mind" deterrent), but water does come through that small gap to reach the drop in liner. For the most part, the channels in the liner are enough to keep most of what is in the bed reasonably dry. I can't remember off the top of my head if there is a tailgate liner or not.

I had a previous truck that had a drop-in liner and matching tailgate cover. The tailgate cover was held on with plastic push-in fasteners, so no metal corrosion woes. Some of them did eventually break...20 years later...because I pulled the cover to fix the latch handle.

The truck after that had a cap and bed mat. Had no issues with that setup other than the cap limited my cargo options at times (bulk mulch, etc.) and enabled things at others. No tailgate cover, it was just starting to rust out along the bottom seam when I sold it.

I guess it depends on what your long term ownership intentions are. If you intend to trade or resell it later, that's one thing. I've run 4 trucks into the ground, and not one was gotten rid of due to bed rust. Frames on the other hand... The first one I owned actually had a rusted out bed back by the tailgate when I got it, I simply reinforced it with some angle and kept using it.

FWIW, I am in the New England "rust belt."

 

[sklunk]

BedRug .. BedRug .. BedRug !!!

I hate that the company put "rug" in the name since they are NOT carpet or a rug; these things are amazing. You can't stain the material, things don't slide around, and they are easy to clean out. And the foam backing keeps them from scratching the bed and is easy on your knees.

I am not affiliated with them but I have had one in my 1994 Silverado for over 15 years now. It does not have a tonneau cover and gets used hard but the liner has held up great. I really have been impressed!

 

[Panik]

BedRug .. BedRug .. BedRug !!!

I hate that the company put "rug" in the name since they are NOT carpet or a rug; these things are amazing. You can't stain the material, things don't slide around, and they are easy to clean out. And the foam backing keeps them from scratching the bed and is easy on your knees.

I'll second this nomination. I wanted to get the bed of my truck done with a spray in liner and in fact would still like to get this done eventually. However, other priorities took precedence. As an interim measure I purchased a Bed Rug floor liner for about 150.00 from etrailer. (still need to get the tailgate for another 35.00)

I've been really happy with it for light duty use! It's affordable, it looks good and sklunk said, its real easy on the knees and whatever you want to put in the bed. I've hauled log rounds for wood turning, lawn equipment and regularly take the trash to the dump and it still looks good. My only issue is that occasionally I have to get in the back and step on it a couple times when the velcro holding it to the bed separates.

All and all whenever I do get the bed sprayed I will likely reinstall the bedrug overtop.

 

[grnspot110]

I've used the same rubber tailgate liner on at least the last three pickups!

 

[NewfieDan]

I have direct side by side comparison of a drop in liner vs a spray in liner. I have a '03 Ram and son bought a '02 Ram. Both trucks were bought new. Son had the drop in liner, I had the sprayed in liner done before I picked it up at the dealer. Both trucks came from the same dealer.

Sons truck is long gone due to rust. Mine is still going with virtually no rust. This was in northern Albera where it is fairly dry, no salt in winter. Can only imagine what it would be like around the coast somewhere.

 

[Will_C]

I understand the cost of a spray liner is considerable, but I spent $400 for a spray in liner for my 2004 truck when it was new and it has held up well. Annual cost- less than $40.

Will

 

[KiotiKowboy]

In my older (2001) truck, I've always used just a thick rubber bed mat and gate liner. The bed shows considerable wear on the sides and wheel wells.

In my new 2015 truck, I opted for the dealer spray-in liner, then added a thick rubber bed mat.

As for tonneau covers - I have one on the older truck but haven't added this to my new one yet. I much prefer the roll-up covers with metal backing. They are MUCH stronger, MUCH more secure and MUCH less hassle.

 

[KennyG]

I have direct side by side comparison of a drop in liner vs a spray in liner. I have a '03 Ram and son bought a '02 Ram. Both trucks were bought new. Son had the drop in liner, I had the sprayed in liner done before I picked it up at the dealer. Both trucks came from the same dealer.

Sons truck is long gone due to rust. Mine is still going with virtually no rust. This was in northern Albera where it is fairly dry, no salt in winter. Can only imagine what it would be like around the coast somewhere.

Just curious - were these trucks parked outside? I had no rust issues with a liner but the truck was kept in a garage. Is that the difference or are some liners (i.e. over the rail vs. under the rail) different?

 

[Code54]

We do our own spay ins now. Kit is about $120 by Raptor on Amazon or Ebay. This is the real deal, no cheap Autozone stuff.

Chris

Chris is right, the Raptor liner is EXCELLENT! I have used it on ATV racks, tractor implements, steel floors, and it wears extremely well. Plus it is sealed and you have no screws and for the cost you can always touch it up if something weird happened.

 

[NewfieDan]

Just curious - were these trucks parked outside? I had no rust issues with a liner but the truck was kept in a garage. Is that the difference or are some liners (i.e. over the rail vs. under the rail) different?

Both trucks were left outside year round. Whatever Mother Nature dished out both trucks saw it.

 

[deere5105]

I understand the cost of a spray liner is considerable, but I spent $400 for a spray in liner for my 2004 truck when it was new and it has held up well. Annual cost- less than $40. Will

Previous truck was a 2004 that I bought and sprayed in 2007. Just considering what if I decided to trade in 3-4 years...would it be worth the extra cost or would a mat do just as well since I won't be too rough with the bed anyway.

 

[wawajake]

I went with a GMC matching bed mat , if I remember it was under $150 (had them include with deal) it is easy on the knees and can be removed to wash out bed. Mine is not even screwed down, it is very heavy so does not move .

 

[dragoneggs]

I don't see how the bed rug helps anything but the floor. Dump some gravel/dirt with rocks in a few times and scrape it out. Debris ends up under it too so you have to remove and clean. Don't have to worry about the sides, top rim, tailgate and no cleaning with a spray in. More expensive... yes. Better long term... I say also a definite yes. Much lower maintenance.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Previous truck was a 2004 that I bought and sprayed in 2007. Just considering what if I decided to trade in 3-4 years...would it be worth the extra cost or would a mat do just as well since I won't be too rough with the bed anyway.

I think it's worth it. I would pay $500 more for a 5 year old used truck with a sprayed in liner vs a comparable truck without and a tore up bed.

I think it's one of them things you get most of your money back with.


Chris

 

[Sodo]

You can see how it goes with no protection, then add a spray in a liner a few years down the road. Linex will cover all kinds of flaws, and look new.

I have Linex, it has grip, and also can't hardly believe how tough it is. It can be touched up too, touchups blend in - you cant see them.

I got mine "with the deal" but otherwise I'd buy the kit and do it myself.

 

[KennyG]

I don't see how the bed rug helps anything but the floor. Dump some gravel/dirt with rocks in a few times and scrape it out. Debris ends up under it too so you have to remove and clean. Don't have to worry about the sides, top rim, tailgate and no cleaning with a spray in. More expensive... yes. Better long term... I say also a definite yes. Much lower maintenance.

That's why I did the DIY roll on treatment and then added the mat (I have the heavy rubber type - nothing to hold it in and nothing needed). 95% of the protection needed is on the floor. I take my mat out once or twice a year and wash it out.

 

[sld]

I don't see how the bed rug helps anything but the floor. Dump some gravel/dirt with rocks in a few times and scrape it out. Debris ends up under it too so you have to remove and clean. Don't have to worry about the sides, top rim, tailgate and no cleaning with a spray in. More expensive... yes. Better long term... I say also a definite yes. Much lower maintenance.

Another vote for the bedrug from me. The sides zip to the bottom when you install it. Also, on mine at least, the bottom piece is continuous including the tail gate. Nothing has ever gotten underneath it. I have hauled mulch, rocks, bricks, gravel, etc.... Spray it out at the carwash if you want to keep it clean and it will look like new for years. They really are indestructible.

They look good and are really easy on the knees. They use no fasteners either. Just some adhesive velcro and because it fits so well it will not move around one bit.

Just my $.02 on experience. I've had mine in my 2007 since the day I brought it home. When I replace this truck I will definitely get another.

 

[Oaktree]

My past experience with work trucks showed that drop in bed liners are too slippery, spray-on is too grippy, and rubber mats bunch up when loading/unloading. Trucks with bare beds don't have any of those downsides. If your usage isn't severe and you're not afraid of light scratches, go for it. I'll say this, I think anything that involves drilling holes and putting screws in is worse than doing nothing at all.

Never had a truck with a sprayed-in liner, but agree on the drop-in ones being slippery (doubly so with even a little bit of snow in it). When I first got this truck I didn't realize just how slippery it was...had just picked up 10 sheets of OSB at Lowe's. Gave a little gas at a stoplight and about 2 seconds later all 10 sheets of OSB were in the middle of the intersection. Hadn't tied it down since I'd never had problems with that with other trucks (no liner).

As others noted, a big downside of liners or mats is that they trap moisture. Here in the northeast most bed rust comes from underneath (road salt splash), and a liner will hide the problem until it gets real bad.

It's installed, it's a PITA to get out so I'll just leave it there, but think I'll pass next time around...as others have noted, it's easy enough to get a LineX one later if a ratty-looking bed bothers me too badly. I always buy used vehicles and drive 'em into the ground so resale value is moot.

 

[deere5105]

Decided to try it with the 3/8" rubber bed mat. If doesn't look like is giving protection needed will pursue the spray in again. If decide to swap trucks in a few years the mat should just swap over and be an advantage. Thanks for all the input and responses.

 

[Bradbilt]

I just lay a sheet of plywood on the bed floor, and dump some diesel in there once in a while. on the tailgate I have a piece of plywood screwed on with about eight screws. That makes the bed and tailgate the same level. When I wanna clean the truck out,I just pull the plywood out, hose it out and put the wood back in there. Stuff doesn't slide around, doesn't make a lot of racket, and I never could see the value of a bed liner. I just run the truck because it is a truck

My dad did this in all of his trucks. Actually reused the plywood in every truck he got from 1978 till 1996


I am a spray in guy. I do it myself. I do NOT use that crap called Hurculiner, Duplicator or anything else from a parts store.
I use SCORPION truck bed liner or their sister company AL's Liner. They are the same product just AL's come sin smaller DIY quantities.

2 gallons is enough to do a 8' bed($168 in material) and the gun to spay is $49

I have done MULTIPLE projects with their products. I could not be happier with the results