When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
What are you're guys' opinions? I've been running the DualLiners--molded sides, heavy rubber mat. Wondering what to put in the new one when it gets here. How are the spray-in ones? I need something tough since I haul firewood, don't want to dent the bed, that's why I've used the DualLiner so far.
You have to remember, they are trucks and made to haul things. In any case, if you don't secure your cargo, it can shift and dent the bed. My last couple of trucks I've had a spray-in bed liner AND a bed mat. The spray-in doesn't stop the bed from denting, it's just way more scratch-resistent than a coat of paint. Molded plastic liners are more dent-resistent, but they move ever so slightly, wear away the paint, and trap moisture under them which contributes to surface rust. That will cease to be a problem on 2015s with the aluminum beds though.
You have to remember, they are trucks and made to haul things. In any case, if you don't secure your cargo, it can shift and dent the bed. My last couple of trucks I've had a spray-in bed liner AND a bed mat. The spray-in doesn't stop the bed from denting, it's just way more scratch-resistent than a coat of paint. Molded plastic liners are more dent-resistent, but they move ever so slightly, wear away the paint, and trap moisture under them which contributes to surface rust. That will cease to be a problem on 2015s with the aluminum beds though.
Yes, that's what I was thinking. I've seen the dents in the sprayed beds. The DualLiner is nice because it fastens to the front & sides-matches the bed shape. Thick rubber mat only on the bed floor & it fits into a groove in the front/side pieces. Probably go back with that since I'm rough on them--like you said, it's a truck. I'm not always careful enough when loading the firewood. Thanks for the reply.
Here's my limited experience with a drop in liner: My 02 F150 I bought back in March had a factory drop in kliner. It had 167k miles on it and has the typical rust at the corners of the cab, bed exterior and wheel wells, but when I pulled the liner out to instal my 5th wheel hitch, I couldn't believe how good of shape the bed was in. The previous owner must have used it to haul lawn clippings because there was a lot of grass and dirt between the liner and bed, but no rust whatsoever. The paint was rubbed down in just a few places, but for the most part was as good as you could expect for a truck with that mileage. I had always heard that they can trap moisture and cause them to rust faster, but mine tells a completely different story. Just my $.02.
I found the same thing years past when I used the drop-ins. But the reason I'm not using them is usually they cause a little space to be lost in the front corners just from the way they're made. I haul dirt bikes & with the 6.5' beds it's difficult to close the tailgate unless I use all the space available & do it just right. Ever since we lost the 6 3/4' beds on the F150s.
I had a drop in on my '88 F-150. I beat the snot out of that truck and the bed was never damaged. I have nothing on my 2011 as the bed is covered with the Peragon cover and I don't haul as much as I once did.