Bed Protection

[nuclear_ned]

What kind of bed protection should I get? I am hesitant to get a spray in liner because I want something removable.. I dont want it to rust or mar the paint.. and I dont necessarily want it in all the time.. I was looking at the bed rug and it seems interesting but it looks like it would trap water under the bed.. The main deal is I dont want to destroy the new bed on a new z71..

[carguru]

I have the Bed Rug and love it. It takes a bunch of punishment without marring up the paint. I have one that I'm getting ready to sell (from my Dad's truck). He used it for a month before he decided to get a crew cab.

[Blue-2001-Z71]

I had a super thick (3/4") rubber bed mat in my S-10 that could take any abuse you offered. It did trap water underneath, but I never had any rust there (it was the only place without rust, actually). I currently have a RhinoLiner in my Z-71 and love it. I do wish the finish held up better to UV light as it is now a dull gray compared to the gloss black it started as. I'd stay far far away from a plastic drop in liner, as I feel they destroy the bed's paint faster than most loads you'll carry from chaffing against the surface. Mine originally had a drop-in liner, and the entire surface of the bed was chaffed white when I bought it, hence the RhinoLiner that's in it now. If you want removeable, go with a heavy rubber mat. This will protect the floor and keep things from sliding around.

[TarheelZ]

Well, since you included it in your post's title I'm gonna chime in for spray-in. In the past, I've had drop-in liners and I'll NEVER have one again! My last two trucks have had spray-in liners which are well worth the money, in my opinion. I'm convinced that, IF THE BED PREPARATION IS DONE PROPERLY, you cannot beat them $ for $ for protecting the bed and sides of the truck.

[nuclear_ned]

Doesnt the bed rug have to be screwed in?

[kadillac_kid]

Sorry, but I think spray-in liners are the cat's a$$!

 

For the money, they're functional, durable, good looking, and add the most value to your truck compared to anything else. They may not be removable, but why would you want to remove your bedliner anyways??..well, I guess when you sell your truck maybe (to answer my own question).

[Kgry]

If you're going to put any kind of top on the bed, just get a drop-in. They're so much cheaper than spray-ins. I just got a drop-in two weeks ago, only $220 installed. I'm putting a tonneau on in a few weeks.

[bigdogs]

I'd vote for a spray in one as well. I have a LineX one in mine and it works great. If I need more cushioning I can put in a horse stall mat on top of it (3/4" thick high density rubber, a 4x6 sheet weighs 100lbs)

[nuclear_ned]

Yeha they look great.. I originally wanted to get a Rhino Lining for the truck.. but the dealer advised me not to.. he said they take away from the resale value fo the truck because they dont come out..

[carguru]

Doesnt the bed rug have to be screwed in?

 

Nope, Bed Rug is held in by industrial velcro.

[nuclear_ned]

 

Nope, Bed Rug is held in by industrial velcro.

 

 

 

Hmmm I guess that means I could take it out and clean underneath it if I have too.. have to check that out

[az'03Silverado]

.....I currently have a RhinoLiner in my Z-71 and love it.  I do wish the finish held up better to UV light as it is now a dull gray compared to the gloss black it started as....... 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Powerwash it or scrub it and then spray a can of tire foam on it. Just watch the overspray. It will keep it shiny for about 3 weeks. Unless it rains a lot where you are.

 

For the original question: Go for the spray-in. It will help the resale and because it doesn't change the contour or shape of the bed or cover up your tie-downs, there's no reason to worry about something removable.

[Greg]

My son has Line-X in his S-10 and I just had it sprayed in my Sierra Denali. It has stood up to a lot of abuse in the S-10 with no chips or cuts. It has a couple stains where he spilled something on it and let it dry.

[budhayes3]

I have the plastic drop in that I bought from Chevy when I first got the truck...liked the bowtie at the front of the bed. Can't see it now though with the Pace Edwards JackRabbit tonneau. I have lifted it up and noticed where it has left rub marks in the bed...also found some junk underneath it. My buddy has the spray in deal, not sure if it's lineX or Rhino, but it's really nice. He beats the snot out of it too and it really holds up well.

[99silveradoz71]

Have to ask what you're hauling and such too. I've had a spray-in in mine for 5yrs under a soft tonneau and it's served me well hauling lawn equipment.