My 2018 came in without a liner, so I got one through the parts department. What a crap design!!! The foolish rubber grommets covering the tie down hooks will be gone in a year, leaving huge holes in the liner for water and debris.

My old liner, (2012), dropped in and you screwed the tie down cleats through the liner into the bed. Much better design.

 

We have the factory spray-in liner, and like it very much. We also added a BedRug (no sides), and it's pretty nice too.

 

Cain't beat Line-X spray in liner.

 

No Line X dealer close to me so i have the Rhino Liner with the UV additive. 2+ years and no problems!

 

I have the factory spray in liner and a Ford rubber mat in the bed. It seems to be a good combo however I do like the BedTred Pro better.

 

I originally ordered my '17 with the factory sprayed in liner. Because of assembly line problems at the time they weren't able to install the liner and so my dealer took the truck to the local Line-X shop upon delivery. Looking at the factory liner on other trucks and the Line-X liner they appear pretty much equal. However, the big difference is that the factory liner is covered under the 3/36 warranty and only for "defects in material and workmanship". The Line-X liner is covered for the original owner's lifetime and if YOU screw it up they'll fix it for free.

 

Line-X is what I had installed when I purchased mine. I paid the dealer rate of $400.00 and have been very happy with it. I probably should have paid the extra for the uv protective coating which basically will make it hold the shine longer and delay it fading. No way I would have a truck without a spray in liner. Those plastic liners are garbage as far as I'm concerned. I guess you don't necessarily have to worry about the rust factor with these aluminum trucks as much, but still like the look of the spray in much better.

 

I had to drive 86 miles to get Line-X.

 

The bed liner warranties are basically useless, so I wouldn't base my decision on them.

 

97 miles for me, I don't think it is worth the drive over Rhino. The local dealer puts the UV additive in for free, I got liner and front windows (legal) tinted for $450.00 tax included.

 

I thought I'd actually comment on the OP's concerns, since this has turned into a spray in liner orgy.

I had a Ford branded drop in liner installed when I got my truck last January. I too wondered about the rubber plugs but I've had no issues with them. Forgetting to put them back in....now we might start a problem. The problem is where the tie downs are located. LOW. No way to vacuum form a liner with the ability to run all the way out to the bed wall down that low. Enjoy your truck. I came from a 2012 5.0 Lariat and have enjoyed the new body style truck.

 

I had same concerns as original poster, went with DualLiner (hard plastic molded side/back panels & tailgate protector, with thick rubber bed mat that interlocks with the panels). Panels fit like second skin, allowing normal access to tie downs. Mine also has openings for factory box links, and led lighting. Quality product, been real pleased.

 

I have seen 4 or 5 plastic bedliners alongside Rt. 2 here in MA. Always wondered if they are the result of littering or if they blew out at highway speed?

 

Line X is best of breed and they seem to back up their lifetime warranty.

 

I got the drop in liner a day after I bought the truck, because I didn't want to scrape up the bed. I kind of regret getting it, but the thought of sanding down factory paint to apply a spray in liner makes me cringe.
After a year or so I may pull it out.