| 1) No Bed Liner. Choose this option because it's cheap, | | | | There are high chances of screwing up the first time. |
| easy, and it could be okay. Although you would never | | | | The worst is that it doesn't bond properly to the bed at |
| dream of hauling anything that could damage the bed | | | | all times. There could be large chunks that would flake |
| of your truck, there are some instances where you will | | | | off any time. While these products shouldn't be |
| be forced to haul something that could do a bit of | | | | condemned all together, none of them seem to work. |
| damage on the bed liner's paint job. If you find any | | | | Proceed with great care. |
| scratches on the bed, it would be quite expensive to | | | | 5) Spray-in. This is probably the most preferred option |
| add another bed liner later on. This is because before | | | | for most people. Not only is it the most |
| adding any removable liner, repainting the bed will be | | | | seamless-looking of the bunch, but it is also one that |
| imperative so that moisture between the bed and the | | | | lasts for ages. Preventing the truck bed from acquiring |
| liner won't cause the former to rust. Unless your truck | | | | unwanted scratches and chemical reactions is a |
| is leased, you should look at other options. | | | | one-of-a-kind polyurethane (or paint, as we call it), |
| 2) Rubber Bed Mat. It's quite old-fashioned, but it's a | | | | which is sprayed all over to give it an everlasting, |
| good option. There is no dispute that a thick piece of | | | | slide-proof, and almost impossible-to-destroy texture. |
| rubber will be able to protect the truck bed from any | | | | Lots of companies offer spray-in bed liners, but the top |
| scratches and at the same time provide a surface | | | | two are Line-X and Rhino. While you may hear lots of |
| that will provide more friction than a stock bed. If you | | | | differing opinions about the two products, it?s fair to |
| are thinking of getting this, try one that is thick. Those | | | | say that they're basically the same stuff. However, the |
| thin rubber mats about less than a quarter inch thick | | | | installers are not the same. In fact, any stories you |
| tend to roll up when there's a load, making it a bit of a | | | | hear about a bad Rhino or Line-X liner have more to |
| hazard. Another point is to make sure that the mat has | | | | do with the person that installed the liner than the |
| a knobby bottom so that moisture won't get trapped | | | | product itself. The best way you can make sure you |
| under the mat that would lead to rusting of the bed. | | | | get a good spray-in liner is to find out how long the |
| Lastly, choose mats that are pre-cut to fit the truck. | | | | installer has been in business. If you have any doubts |
| Those trim-yourself-mats never seem to fit just right | | | | about them, get references and check them out. Your |
| and tend to be cheaper. This will cost around $75 to | | | | local new car dealer is also an excellent place to get a |
| $100, which is its best feature. | | | | recommendation for a good installer. You should be |
| 3) Plastic Bed Liner. Plastic bed liners (or drop-ins) fit | | | | able to get a quality spray-in liner with a lifetime |
| OK, install quickly and easily, and do a nice job of | | | | warranty installed for $300-$400 (under rail). Over the |
| protecting the bed from most kinds of damage. Plastic | | | | rail should add about $50. There are other names out |
| bed liners are especially nice if you need to slide items | | | | their in spray-ins, and I'm sure that some of them are |
| in and out of your truck. Plastic also won't scratch | | | | just fine. However, since they?re not usually any |
| anything you put in your bed (like furniture), and it | | | | cheaper than Line-X or Rhino, I don't recommend them. |
| washes out quickly and easily. The biggest | | | | 6) Carpet Liner. The carpet liner is usually a strong |
| disadvantage to plastic drop-in liners is that whatever | | | | outdoor carpet with a thick rubber or vinyl backing. |
| you have resting in your bed can slide around at any | | | | They're surprisingly strong and they have the benefit |
| time. Plastic is slippery, especially when wet, and I've | | | | of being soft. They're especially popular with people |
| seen big loads shift (even when they were properly | | | | that are going to add a camper shell to their truck. The |
| tied down). Also, it seems like a lot of moisture and | | | | biggest advantage to them, in addition to being plush, is |
| gunk accumulates under the plastic liner, requiring you | | | | that they're removable. If you like the idea of being able |
| to remove it and clean the bed periodically. Plastic | | | | to see your factory finish whenever you want to, this |
| drop-in bed liners can cost as little as $250 or as much | | | | might be a good option for you. Cost is about the |
| as $400. | | | | same as a good plastic bed-liner, about $350. The only |
| 4) Plastic Coatings. I'm sure you've seen the ads that | | | | thing we don't like about these is that they don?t seem |
| endorse "special" truck bed paint that you can apply | | | | to stay attached, but that probably has to do with the |
| yourself with a professional finish. With a roller and | | | | way they're installed. |
| paintbrush, you can install your very own "spray-in" bed | | | | The many options for good truck bed protection don't |
| surface over the weekend. This conception is wrong, | | | | just stop there. Plywood is also a good addition, as well |
| unless you have had experience doing this before. | | | | as roll-up systems like the Load Handler. |