Experience of tonneau / no tonneau

[indy_mav]

I stumbled into truck ownership last week. A Maverick popped up a local dealer with the specs (and then some) that I wanted and selling for MSRP. Took it for a test drive, knew immediately it was the right size/type truck, and so pulled the trigger that day.

I didn't have to wait as many here have, but am now trying to figure out how to finish it off.

I got the maverick (lariat, 2.0T, trailer but no 4k towing package) without a bedliner or tonneau.


My use case: occasional home improvement trips (dirt, mulch, 8 ft lumber, appliances), helping people move stuff, picking up furniture, and throwing my road bike in the back to take a country ride somewhere. Live near the downtown of a mid-size metro area.

I'm thinking EITHER bullet spray in liner (with no tonneau) OR soft folding tonneau with a bedrug full bedliner.

Recommendations based on your experience?

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[E30andrew]

I bought my mav for similar 'truck needs' and I went with tonneau + bottom portion of the drop in bed liner. I opted for the tonneau for the ability to keep my things 'locked' in the bed on road-trips, traveling, etc. I also live in an area that rains basically all year round, so having that weather protection for whatever cargo is in bed was worth it imo.

I opted for these liner bits - I think they look great and give just the right amount of protection while also keeping some personality in the bed with the colored sides/rear.

Bed Liner - FordPartsAmerica [link]

Tailgate Liner - FordPartsAmerica [link]

congrats on the Maverick! Definitely rare to find one on a lot at MSRP.

 

[Mikemarq626]

https://accessories.ford.com/produc...nneau-bed-cover?nosto=productcategory-nosto-2

Check this out. Totally worth it. Congrats on getting your Mav at MSRP.

 

[Skifletch]

Went with the hard fold and a spray in here. Usage case is relatively similar to yours with some added restrictions. Salt... ALL of the salt (Buffalo NY and Snow...) requires spray in around here. The amount of rusted out truck beds I've seen from debris and salt intrusion in my neck of the woods. I digress. And hard trifold cause I'm pretty Urban and though serious crime isn't a real problem in my neighborhood, a quick slash of a soft fold to rummage through stuff back there while people are door checking for change and easy-to-pilfer things is a real issue.

 

[tom_tucker]

I bought my mav for similar 'truck needs' and I went with tonneau + bottom portion of the drop in bed liner. I opted for the tonneau for the ability to keep my things 'locked' in the bed on road-trips, traveling, etc. I also live in an area that rains basically all year round, so having that weather protection for whatever cargo is in bed was worth it imo.

I opted for these liner bits - I think they look great and give just the right amount of protection while also keeping some personality in the bed with the colored sides/rear.

Bed Liner - FordPartsAmerica [link]

Tailgate Liner - FordPartsAmerica [link]

congrats on the Maverick! Definitely rare to find one on a lot at MSRP.

Yes, I like those options with the painted bed more than a spray-in. I'm not hauling gravel here. I don't understand the fascination with spray in liners. The cost, extra weight and heat-absorbing black color. You can always spray it years later if it gets worn. I have the bed mat and tailgate liner. The rubber bed mat pulls right out for easy cleaning.

 

[E30andrew]

Yes, I like those options with the painted bed more than a spray-in. I'm not hauling gravel here. I don't understand the fascination with spray in liners. The cost, extra weight and heat-absorbing black color. You can always spray it years later if it gets worn. I have the bed mat and tailgate liner. The rubber bed mat pulls right out for easy cleaning.

I definitely agree. Months before I got my truck, a spray in liner was near the top of my list; however, after getting the truck in, and honestly falling in love with how the painted bed looked, I didn't want to get the liner right away. I was also of the mindset that if it gets so beat up down the road, I can spray it then.

I will say that I am a little biased with the option I suggested, as I was able to use my FordPass points + sale codes to get these two pieces for about ~$30; so to me it was a no brainer. This liner fits like a glove and was super easy to install. Really happy with how it looks and feels.

 

[gte105u]

Spray in and tonneau cover. The spray on protects, but also keeps things from sliding around. I am glad I have it, and thinks it looks better than a painted bed as well.

Got a soft roll cover. Keep things protected and out of sight. Happy with the setup.

 

[Tterrag]

I definitely agree. Months before I got my truck, a spray in liner was near the top of my list; however, after getting the truck in, and honestly falling in love with how the painted bed looked, I didn't want to get the liner right away. I was also of the mindset that if it gets so beat up down the road, I can spray it then.

I will say that I am a little biased with the option I suggested, as I was able to use my FordPass points + sale codes to get these two pieces for about ~$30; so to me it was a no brainer. This liner fits like a glove and was super easy to install. Really happy with how it looks and feels.

Yeah, well put. The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning toward this approach too.

 

[tom_tucker]

I definitely agree. Months before I got my truck, a spray in liner was near the top of my list; however, after getting the truck in, and honestly falling in love with how the painted bed looked, I didn't want to get the liner right away. I was also of the mindset that if it gets so beat up down the road, I can spray it then.

I will say that I am a little biased with the option I suggested, as I was able to use my FordPass points + sale codes to get these two pieces for about ~$30; so to me it was a no brainer. This liner fits like a glove and was super easy to install. Really happy with how it looks and feels.

That's the top dog color and liner combo for aesthetics, simplicity and value, imo. Plenty functional too. Gorgeous color, thanks for sharing.

There is one half step up, possibly. I installed that Ford tailgate liner and it's kinda weak. #1 You have to remove the big aluminum tailgate panel and replace it with plastic. Then It gives when you step on it. #2 The liner is only secured on the top side with those 8 screws, it flaps unsecured on the bottom half near the bed. Might be better to spray liner the tailgate only so you can keep the tailgate panel installed. I'm not gonna change it right now, though. I also added some sound deadening panels inside the tailgate, which gives it a more solid feel.

 

[tom_tucker]

Similar cheap and easy option if you need it. Then add cover of choice or none. The OP's color is black, so a spray-in doesn't change the color, though. Makes more sense then.

My Maverick lives in the sun so I wanted to get white. It's amazing how much cooler it staying than other vehicles. I feel like a garage or shade opens up color options.

 

[E30andrew]

That's the top dog color and liner combo for aesthetics, simplicity and value, imo. Plenty functional too. Gorgeous color, thanks for sharing.

There is one half step up, possibly. I installed that Ford tailgate liner and it's kinda weak. #1 You have to remove the big aluminum tailgate panel and replace it with plastic. Then It gives when you step on it. #2 The liner is only secured on the top side with those 8 screws, it flaps unsecured on the bottom half near the bed. Might be better to spray liner the tailgate only so you can keep the tailgate panel installed. I'm not gonna change it right now, though. I also added some sound deadening panels inside the tailgate, which gives it a more solid feel.

So for the install of the tailgate liner, you actually leave the tailgate panel in place, and the liner lays over it and reuses the 8 screw holes so you don't lose any structural rigidity. However, I do agree that it was kind of odd that there is nothing securing it near the bottom of the liner. I haven't had it flap up at all, but that may be related to leaving the panel in place for support, vs an open gap that might lift the edge up when you put pressure on it.

With that said, that is a great option I hadn't considered - spraying just the tailgate seems like a nice compromise.

What did you use for the sound deadening panels? that is a great idea, as the gate can feel a little light and hollow at times.

 

[tom_tucker]

So for the install of the tailgate liner, you actually leave the tailgate panel in place, and the liner lays over it and reuses the 8 screw holes so you don't lose any structural rigidity. However, I do agree that it was kind of odd that there is nothing securing it near the bottom of the liner. I haven't had it flap up at all, but that may be related to leaving the panel in place for support, vs an open gap that might lift the edge up when you put pressure on it.

With that said, that is a great option I hadn't considered - spraying just the tailgate seems like a nice compromise.

What did you use for the sound deadening panels? that is a great idea, as the gate can feel a little light and hollow at times.

Nice. Sounds like I may have goofed up my tailgate liner install? The panel is in storage. I'll investigate.

I had old leftover butyl panels to burn on the tailgate. Similar to "Second Skin Damplifier Pro Premium Car Sound Deadening Material (2mm) – Butyl Rubber Auto Sound Deadener Mat".

I kinda hijacked the OP's thread, but bed cover/liner all depends on budget and how much covered cubic space you want. I'm throwing my budget at a bed cap, so wanted to keep the liner cheap. For others, a spray-in and tonneau make more sense.

 

[indy_mav]

I definitely agree. Months before I got my truck, a spray in liner was near the top of my list; however, after getting the truck in, and honestly falling in love with how the painted bed looked, I didn't want to get the liner right away. I was also of the mindset that if it gets so beat up down the road, I can spray it then.

I will say that I am a little biased with the option I suggested, as I was able to use my FordPass points + sale codes to get these two pieces for about ~$30; so to me it was a no brainer. This liner fits like a glove and was super easy to install. Really happy with how it looks and feels.

Yea, I do like the simplicity of that solution, esp. with the red truck. However, given I have the black one, the color matters less.

I think I'll opt for the spray in b/c I do plan to load with gravel, 4x8 boards, pavers, etc... and am concerned the wheel bumps will get all scratched up. That said, the more I've thought about it I don't need a tonneau. The gas savings are neglible, I live in too insecure of neigbhorhood to rely on any of them, and with the crew cab I have plenty of "locked space" for securing anything I may be carrying when I'm out and about.

Thanks for the input all, and if anyone want's the chime in further go ahead!

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