Truck Bed Protection

[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