Which Is Better? Spray-in bed liner, drop-in bed liner, or truck bed mat?

[WannaMav]

I don't need anything "heavy duty."

Considered a bedrug? Doesn't shout "work truck" and more stylish than a mat or liner, while still utilitarian.

Link to Ford's. There's also other manufacturers making them for Maverick.

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[NOLAguy]

do the spray in - condensation tends to accumulate between drop in and truck bed and can cause problems potentially (only my opinion)

 

[dalola]

Agree with previous poster, it really depends how you plan to use the truck. You might not need anything at all. Or maybe some combination with a tonneau.

Perhaps you could share a bit more about things you might be hauling back there, that would help properly select what might work best for you.

 

[CPrevost]

I”m going with the drop in. I got it cheap enough that if I don’t like it down the road I can always take it out and do a spray in. I have spray in Rhino in my old ranger. it’s chipped and discolored and generally looks bad. Of course it’s 20 year old spray in so the technology may have improved since then.

 

[Trmime]

What type of shop do I go to in order to get the spray-in? Are there places that spray-ins is one of their specialties? And thanks for your reply.

 

[Trmime]

Not sure what is better but it would be best to add either after you purchase and not include on your order/build with ford.

Thanks for your answer. I was wondering about that.

 

[Trmime]

I”m going with the drop in. I got it cheap enough that if I don’t like it down the road I can always take it out and do a spray in. I have spray in Rhino in my old ranger. it’s chipped and discolored and generally looks bad. Of course it’s 20 year old spray in so the technology may have improved since then.

Thanks for your answer, though I am leaning towards a spray-in. I doubt I'll haul much in the bed, so it should last a while. Thanks again.

 

[Trmime]

Agree with previous poster, it really depends how you plan to use the truck. You might not need anything at all. Or maybe some combination with a tonneau.

Perhaps you could share a bit more about things you might be hauling back there, that would help properly select what might work best for you.

I won't be hauling much other than groceries and maybe garage sale items, which may include pieces of furniture. And I will get a tonneau. Thanks for your help.

 

[dalola]

I won't be hauling much other than groceries and maybe garage sale items, which may include pieces of furniture. And I will get a tonneau. Thanks for your help.

Based on that, if it were me, I'd get a rubber bed mat & the tonneau of your choice, and call it done.

 

[Trmime]

Really it comes down to personal preferences and what you intend to do with the truck the most.
There are pros and cons to every type of bed protection, and even just leaving the bed bare.

My dad likes the rubber mats alone. He uses his truck as a truck a few times a year mostly for moving household type things or a few gas cans for the mower. Maybe a little landscaping supplies. He likes it because things don't slide around, he can take the mat out and spray the bed out and it's relatively inexpensive. They can also be used in conjunction with SIBL or DIBL, but they are kind of heavy and awkward to take in and out. He also trades his trucks every few years so ultimate protection isn't a concern.

My brother likes spray in liners. He hauls motorcycles and building and farm type supplies and goes to auctions quite a bit. He also likes that those type things stay put and give good traction wet or dry. They are relatively expensive to have done or time consuming if you do it yourself. They also have a tendency to fade or look chalky if you plan to keep the truck a long time.

At work...construction, no bedliners. Who cares? They are meant to be used as trucks. No extra cost, but no protection. Also can be slick, especially if wet or oily/greasy. If you go this route, you can always use another type later if you want.

And you guessed it, I prefer the drop ins. They have a corrugated bottom that protects from dents and are good for being able to reach in and slide heavy objects to you. Personally, I think they offer the best protection and are generally priced in between the other two types. They are slick when wet, and can fill up with water when it rains, but Fords appear to be multi piece so they may drain better.

I got the drop in on my maverick, have one in my current truck, and had one in my previous truck.

Many people will say don't get a drop in, they promote rust in your bed. I've had trucks for the past 21 years and never seen a spot of rust due to bedliners. A 2004 F150 that I bought new and kept for 9 years and I know I didn't wash it a dozen times during ny ownership. That truck didn't have any rust anywhere on the body and it sat outside and driven in Ohio winters. I've had my Dodge Ram for 10 years. Same treatment as the F150 except a lot more washes. The besides above the wheel wells disintegrated due to rust. When the body shop pulled the bed to replace the bedsides, there was not rust or scratches on the paint in the bed. I took pictures because I knew my brother wouldn't believe me. The truck was 14 or 15 years old at that point.

Sorry for the long post, but trying to give you some insight to help you make the right decision for you. Think about how you will use they truck, whether you will be getting into the bed of the truck regularly, what fits your budget and make your best decision.

So to sum up...get a spray in to protect from scratches, covered by a drop in to protect from dents covered by a rubber mat so it's not slick covered by a tonneau to keep it all out of the weather. Next up, what's the best tonneau to weather proof your 3 stage bed lining.

Wow, that was long, but I appreciate it. I am leaning towards a spray-in with maybe a mat over it. I also plan on getting a tonneau. Thanks for taking the time to help me.

 

[Trmime]

Based on that, if it were me, I'd get a rubber bed mat & the tonneau of your choice, and call it done.

Thanks. I will get a mat and a tonneau, though I am still considering a spray-in also. Thanks again.

 

[Trmime]

Sprayin and cut up an old carpet to size to throw on the bed. Light, comes right out for washing the bed and easy to replace. Downside, if no tonneau may blow in the wind at speed.

What a good idea. As a matter of fact, I have something I can use instead of buying a mat. Thanks

 

[HalfFast]

Wow, that was long, but I appreciate it. I am leaning towards a spray-in with maybe a mat over it. I also plan on getting a tonneau. Thanks for taking the time to help me.

Spray on is never a bad idea. If you get the mat and tonneau too you will be very well protected. Also forgot to mention, I think spray on is best for resale value later on. Now go do some trucky stuff.

 

[Micheal]

So, my question is, which is better: spray-in bed liner, drop-in bed liner, or a truck bed mat? Since I am up there in age, I don't need anything "heavy duty."

I had the spray-in on my Ranger for 20 years. Never had a problem, but I had a canopy cover, which I often took off for hauling gravel, dirt, etc. I used a doubled rug to lay in the bed, easier on the knees, softened the ribs. It also doubled as rug outside our tent when camping. Personally hate the plastic liners. If you get a cover, maybe doesn't matter, but it seems tonneau covers often leak, never had leaks with my Raidar canopy.

 

[Tbolt]

Yep, I’d recommend spray in and cover. As mentioned you can throw pretty much anything in there to protect items (rugs etc) with that setup. I have spray in plus hard tri fold liner. It’s not 100% water proof but close enough. I live where it rains all the time and have had drop ins get loose before and have water get under them (resulting in a ‘sloshing’ sound). You should have plenty of options through your dealer or in your area to get it done. I got mine from the factory that way but also waited 9 months…

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