Line-x & Gm Bed Rail Caps

[texasblueline]

I set up my appointment today for Line-X Xtra and have a quick question about the Line-X and the GM bed rail caps (I searched, but didn't find an exact answer, just a bunch of friendly debates on whether to Line-X the bed rails or get the bed rail caps).

 

I am going to eventually add the GM bed rail caps, mainly to go with the BAKFlip HD tonneau cover that I'd like to get when I have the money. But, I'm thinking I'd like to get the Line-X over the rails as intermediate protection, and also to strenghten the bed rails a bit since the metal there seems a little thin and I've read here that it can bend/dent easily. Just to throw another twist in, I could see myself eventually (years down the road) deciding to remove the bed rail caps and tonneau cover and add a topper to the truck, and I'd rather not have the Line-X peeking out from under the topper because it wrapped too far over the rails.

 

So, if I were to go with Line-X sprayed on the rails like the ones below (credit to J-Man67 and Pilot12, because those are their pictures I'm 'borrowing') to protect and strengthen the rails while not wrapping over the sides, would the GM bed rail caps still mount fairly snugly on top of the Line-X? Or would the bed rail caps not sit flush on the sides because there would not be that additional thickness like there would be on top of the rails from the Line-X?

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

You won't be putting bed rail caps over that... Why not just have them line-x further over the rails? On my truck it comes out to the side of the bed even with where the door window molding is. Looks fine even with my hard tonneau cover mounted on top of it.

[texasblueline]

You won't be putting bed rail caps over that... Why not just have them line-x further over the rails? On my truck it comes out to the side of the bed even with where the door window molding is. Looks fine even with my hard tonneau cover mounted on top of it.

The reason I don't want the Line-X to come down the sides is in case I eventually get a topper, because I'd rather it not have the unfinished look created by that strip of Line-X being visible extending below the edge of the topper like on these trucks:

 

 

[99silveradoz71]

My caps went on with 2 way tape. I would think getting them to stick on line-x would be a challenge

[RyanbabZ71]

I wouldnt do over the rail. I like the caps better

[jnpaddison]

+1 for the Line-x under rail and GM Caps combo

[Stevens03]

+1 for the Line-x under rail and GM Caps combo

 

+2

[Matt_]

+1 for the Line-x under rail and GM Caps combo

 

+2

 

 

+3

 

I wish you were closer... no one near NJ wants a Bakflip HD and i've been trying to sell mine

[C. Charles Hahn]

You won't be putting bed rail caps over that... Why not just have them line-x further over the rails? On my truck it comes out to the side of the bed even with where the door window molding is. Looks fine even with my hard tonneau cover mounted on top of it.

The reason I don't want the Line-X to come down the sides is in case I eventually get a topper, because I'd rather it not have the unfinished look created by that strip of Line-X being visible extending below the edge of the topper like on these trucks:

 

 

I suppose that makes sense. Then again, you also have the option of having the Line-X color matched to the truck....

[orlan85]

I would say that you are going to have a hard time having the double sided tape stick to the line-x, only because it is not a smooth surface for it to stick to. I would think that the caps might stick on for a while but eventually it is going to start to peel off as the tape is not sticking to the surface 100%. I guess a perfect example would be trying to make the 3m tape stick to newly poured dryed and sealed concrete. I say newly poured dryed sealed concrete because I dont want someone to come along and and say that concrete is a sand product and over time it desintegrates and the layer on top is mostly sand so of course its not going to stick. blah blah blah. You get my point. I would say just have them color match your truck with the line-x.

[rogerf]

Your Line-X installer can break their edge anywhere you ask. If concerned about seeing it under a cap, have them stop at the outer horizontal edge of the bed rail. I chose to stop the Line-X under the rails including the front of the box because I was installing a Bakflip and wanted a clean seal. Would go over the rails if doing this again as the rails are very flimsy on this truck. The Bakflip leaked like a sive and self-destructed within a year so now have a fiberglass cap and protecting the rails became a mute point.

[Johnson8537]

Your Line-X installer can break their edge anywhere you ask. If concerned about seeing it under a cap, have them stop at the outer horizontal edge of the bed rail. I chose to stop the Line-X under the rails including the front of the box because I was installing a Bakflip and wanted a clean seal. Would go over the rails if doing this again as the rails are very flimsy on this truck. The Bakflip leaked like a sive and self-destructed within a year so now have a fiberglass cap and protecting the rails became a mute point.

I agree... I had mine brought down lower because the previous owner had platics rail caps on it and the tape came loose scratching the truck!!!!!!!

 

(i wish this site would let you add an attachemtn instead of having to have it hosted someplace..) PITA just to post an image!

[trucc_boi]

what are you talking about?

 

just click 'add reply' instead of fast reply click browse click your image, click upload, and there it is.

 

see:

[texasblueline]

Thanks all for the comments. I think I'm going to stay with under-the-rail Line-X and the GM bed rail caps so I don't run into issues of the caps not being able to adhere correctly to the Line-X sprayed on the rails.

 

I'm getting it done on Friday, only thing left that I'm debating with myself is whether it's worth the $175 more to get the Xtra kevlar coating that's guaranteed not to fade, which is nice given the sometimes brutal Texas sun. On the flip side, my last truck's Line-X did fade over the 6 years I had it, but it still didn't look too bad. Decisions, decisions.

[Johnson8537]

Thanks all for the comments. I think I'm going to stay with under-the-rail Line-X and the GM bed rail caps so I don't run into issues of the caps not being able to adhere correctly to the Line-X sprayed on the rails.

 

I'm getting it done on Friday, only thing left that I'm debating with myself is whether it's worth the $175 more to get the Xtra kevlar coating that's guaranteed not to fade, which is nice given the sometimes brutal Texas sun. On the flip side, my last truck's Line-X did fade over the 6 years I had it, but it still didn't look too bad. Decisions, decisions.

I paid for the Extra but mine was only 75 more!! (if i remeber right?)

 

I Attched a picture of mine (it comes over really far but looks clean!)

 

I must have had a stupid moment and not remeberd i could attach here?? thanks for the tip!