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

[Sylvester]

Spray in is a no brainer as long as is done at the right shop. I have bullet liner, cost me 500 bucks and was the best investment for the truck. You trow things in and out without being worried about anything. Unless you want to keep the original look for cosmetics reasons, there is no point not to put a spray in liner in there.

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[Sylvester]

Drop in Bedliner - Most Durable/Easy to slide heavy objects in and out of the bed. (Wont dent the bed if heavy rocks/objects are thrown in.) Perfect if you never plan on installing any other accessories in the bed like rails/cubbies/covers/etc.

Spray in Bedliner - Most compatible with bed modifications like bed covers/bed lighting as it doesn't take up extra bed space. Great for light duty use but very sandpaper-ish. You might damage it by sliding something like a washing machine/fridge in and out. They also tend to fade and turn white after a couple years.

Bed Mat - Cheapest and most simple option but can be stolen easily and doesn't protect the sides of the bed. Also traps the most water. Also not ideal for transporting heavy objects because imagine sliding a fridge across a rubber pad.


Tough Decision. I went with the OEM Ford drop in because of the $395 price and it's durability. I never plan to use a bed cover because I frequently transport large items that stick out of the bed anyway. I don't plan on installing lights/cubbies. The Maverick already has a bed light at the top and I wouldn't feel comfortable keeping stuff in the cubbies as it could easily be stolen.

Regarding Spray in liner: You must do something super crazy with those to damage them. And even when you damage them, most of them have life time warranty and you can get it fixed.
Fading is not a big issue anymore. Now these days they have improved the formula and some manufacturer offer UV protection options. Most of truck owners put anyway a bed cover, so that should not be an issue anymore.

 

[OneMoreChanceFord]

We ordered in November 2021 the XLT with Lux package that came with spray in bedliner. Hearing rumors that Ford is swapping it for drop in as a change to the Lux package. Not happy with that or the sad fact we don't even have a production date yet. Ford needs to improve production and customer communication.

 

[olderbudwiser]

Truly this is a subjective choice. There is a cost difference sure but what are your needs?

Me I'm getting spray in. If it some how comes with drop in I''ll throw that away and pay for a spray in.

 

[Trmime]

I keep going back and forth... I like the idea of a spray in and then bed mat on top of that. Line X quoted me $650 to spray the bed so that is kind of expensive.. So for now I'm deciding between the Ford bed mat with the plastic tailgate cover or the impact mat that covers both the bed and tailgate... Then down the road I can always get the spray in liner. I think I'm leaning more toward the Ford bed mat and plastic tailgate cover option as I can reuse the bed mat if I decide to ever get the spray in.

Good thinking, I think. Enjoy your truck no matter what you decide.

 

[Trmime]

We ordered in November 2021 the XLT with Lux package that came with spray in bedliner. Hearing rumors that Ford is swapping it for drop in as a change to the Lux package. Not happy with that or the sad fact we don't even have a production date yet. Ford needs to improve production and customer communication.

Don't like the idea they can change what you want and not give you an option. Good luck on that date; hope it's soon.

 

[Trmime]

Regarding Spray in liner: You must do something super crazy with those to damage them. And even when you damage them, most of them have life time warranty and you can get it fixed.
Fading is not a big issue anymore. Now these days they have improved the formula and some manufacturer offer UV protection options. Most of truck owners put anyway a bed cover, so that should not be an issue anymore.

I agree, it is a tough decision. Thanks for your input.

 

[OneMoreChanceFord]

Don't like the idea they can change what you want and not give you an option. Good luck on that date; hope it's soon.

Thanks! Wish you the same. May we both get the Mavericks we ordered ASAP and enjoy them for many years to come. My family has been loyal Ford customers for almost 100 years, but I am getting worried that Ford is "dropping the ball" here.

 

[Stive]

While I don’t have my truck yet, and this will be my first one, I’m planning on the drop in. I’ll have handy tie downs if needed. I think they look better…personal opinion. And if needed, perhaps a harbor freight mat if sliding around is an issue. If you have a tonneau cover I would think rust would be all but eliminated. Anyway, I’ll find out one of these days.

 

[Last Truck Ever]

Another older female here who is also ordering a MAV as the last vehicle I ever intend to buy. I'm going with the spray in. I've had lots of trucks, all had drop ins, and they can be a pain with things sliding every which way, and to me that just look.....cheap compared to the spray in, which "feels" more custom. The drop ins just always look like some plastic added to a truck, where the spray in looks like a custom PART of the truck. I'm probably eventually going to put in a bed mat on top of the liner, likely a barn mat I pick up at Tractor Supply or some such thing, just to give some added grip, keep things from sliding.

 

[Jah.]

Had dropins on previous trucks and very pleased with their durability . never had issues with rubbing or rust on truck beds . I put a dropin in my maverick . I am not concerned about water since maverick has multiple drainage holes in its bed already . as to slippage I want it so I can slide items in and out without damaging the bed . if I am concerned about movement of items then thay are strapped down . don't have to worry about touching up scratched / damaged areas of spray on .

 

[garryjohnson]

Another older female here who is also ordering a MAV as the last vehicle I ever intend to buy. I'm going with the spray in. I've had lots of trucks, all had drop ins, and they can be a pain with things sliding every which way, and to me that just look.....cheap compared to the spray in, which "feels" more custom. The drop ins just always look like some plastic added to a truck, where the spray in looks like a custom PART of the truck. I'm probably eventually going to put in a bed mat on top of the liner, likely a barn mat I pick up at Tractor Supply or some such thing, just to give some added grip, keep things from sliding.

Horse stall mat from Tractor Supply is the cheapest way to go, but cutting it is very difficult. That being said, the results are fantastic. It is heavy enough that it just lays in and doesn't need anything to hold it down. I do recommend getting help putting it into the bed after you cut it as it is very heavy.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/4-ft-x-6-ft-x-3-4-in-thick-rubber-stall-mat

 

[RJC]

I have a Rino sibl , with a factory Ford bed mat and soft fold tonneau cover.

 

[Ricstar]

I went with the SIBL from Ford and love it, But also added the Bed Rug Impact. I'm a Realtor and always have signs and stuff in the back, the SIBL is great for protection of the bed but rough on the signs. My last truck is a 03 Tundra with a DIBL, going strong at 200k plus miles but is showing its age. With luck I will be using the Mav for just as long and the small cost of the bed rug gives me the best of both words. SIBL protects the truck, the mat protects my stuff and is easier on the knees.

 

[Deleted member 5597]

SIBL hands down!! I have it on my Maverick. A word of advice. Get it done at Line-X. The SIBL was a hold up due to constraints. Might happen again in the new model year. I have the lux pkg, so mine came with the SIBL. My Maverick was a customer’s order, and he canceled it.

I have a tri-fold hard top tonneau cover. Love it!!

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