Drop in vs Spray in bedliner suggestions.

[icegradner]

Is it ribbed like the tub types ?
Those ribs held the cargo about 3/4 inch above the bed and gave a crush zone.

It matches bed design, as per Ford's marketing picture below. Crush doesn't seem to be an issue, but I haven't tossed anything that is individually very heavy, at least from my point of view anyway. I've had 1200lbs of lawn top dressing in there, if anything was going to grind it into the paint, that sure would have done it.

I wouldn't consider myself careful when loading, but not careless either and it's holding up. Even full time landscapers praise this liner for it's toughness. I'm a professional gardener, so I'm no where near as hard on it as they are. I'll say one thing, it's way better than the tub liner my friends F-150 came with (also factory).

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[Cherokee]

I crushed a drop in tub once.
With a Dodge 318 block.
It slid off the pallet when a band broke.

The thing split when I tried to push the flat spot out. Still it protected the bed.

 

[notfast]

They wear right through the paint in no time.

I agree. I had corners and other spots that were polished shiny by drop-ins. But rather interestingly, the bare metal never rusted. I'm guessing the same rubbing that wore through the paint just kept the moisture and rust at bay.

 

[Mabcim]

For me, with a drop in, I’d be too worried about moisture and dust getting between the liner and the bed. Which would scratch the paint. And not matter how ‘tight’ of an install it is, the liner is going to expand and contract differently then the bed; so you’ll get minor movement just from that.

Have to ask yourself why you want a liner, then go from there.

Sounds like you have been doing ok without one.
You could just keep going the way you are, and if the bed gets scratched, then go get a spray in. They have to sand the clear coat anyway, to apply it.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

How often do owners remove their drop in bed liner?
I know unless they're tore up, dealers don't remove them.

 

[GenMaster]

I still have yet to put in either a drop in or get a spray on bedliner. I have been using the rubber bedliner mat that I bought when I got the truck in 2023. I have always in the past had drop-in liners (its what was with the vehicles I had bought, I never bought a new truck until the maverick), and have always liked them, I like that its easy to slide items. At the time when I ordered the maverick the bedliners were an item that was possibly holding up getting your truck, so I didn't add it. Anyway, suggestions on either drop-in or spray in (line-X/rhinoliner). And if you don't mind, why you chose the way you chose. This Maverick truck club is awesome by the way, always get good advice from it.

I currently have a rubber mat as well, but I think I'd prefer drop in instead of spray on because I just love the Ruby Red color and would hate to spray over it! LoL

 

[DCB]

I still have yet to put in either a drop in or get a spray on bedliner. I have been using the rubber bedliner mat that I bought when I got the truck in 2023. I have always in the past had drop-in liners (its what was with the vehicles I had bought, I never bought a new truck until the maverick), and have always liked them, I like that its easy to slide items. At the time when I ordered the maverick the bedliners were an item that was possibly holding up getting your truck, so I didn't add it. Anyway, suggestions on either drop-in or spray in (line-X/rhinoliner). And if you don't mind, why you chose the way you chose. This Maverick truck club is awesome by the way, always get good advice from it.

 

[HanksGT]

20 years Linex in my Ranger and now 1 year with Linex in the Maverick. I like the clean look. I keep tools boxes in the bed and the Ranger was just getting thin when I sold it at 300k miles. You do you.

 

[bull19541]

Many years ago I had trouble with my S-10 drop in.
I found myself under the motorcycle in the pitch dark (middle of nowhere) when loading on the slick liner.
The tires and my feet just slid out.
I never bought another.
mats work better I believe.
lariat came with a spray job ( plenty of traction), I put a mat and tailgate liner on from my 24.

 

[DCB]

After 3 million miles in pickups I've had both liners and spray on. I carried a lot of farm equipment that I did'nt want sliding around. My favorite drop in liner was a skid resistant pendaliner. The Ford spray in liner is too slick for me, so I look for a spray liner that stays a little sticky. Ford spray in liner with a bed mat works well for me also.
The drop in liners do rub and collect dirt under them.
Pick what works for what you use the truck for.
PS: I don't save my trucks for the next owner or for resale, I use them. I will drill a hole in the dash if I need to.

 

[icegradner]

How often do owners remove their drop in bed liner?
I know unless they're tore up, dealers don't remove them.

Not often, don’t see much need. After three years it was basically clean. A little dust that cleaned off easily. Most of what there was appeared to be near where the drains from the roof send water into the bed. No paint damage, no rust. I don’t get what the big deal is. I could see having issues if you left soil or mulch sitting in the bed for weeks, but if you load it, use it and clean it out, there doesn’t seem to be a problem.

i suspect most of the people reporting problems with drop in liners live in the rust belt, and their vehicles would have rusted out either way.

 

[Hankgagnon]

I used the Rustoleum Truck bed kit. You roll it and paint it on. Turned out perfect. Solid protection. Cost effective too. Messy you must be care full with it not to get it where you don't want it.

I always worry about water getting under a dop in, and rusting the truck bed. If I had to choose Drop in or Spray on: I would do the spray on.

 

[mbum56]

I ordered a drop in liner and found out the hard way. The bed got all scratched up from dirt and small stones that got underneath the liner. So I went to the dealership and found out they had a deal with the local Rhino Liner busines. So I opted to get the spray on liner. It has been the best investment on the Maverick so far.

 

[BigLog7]

How often do you carry stuff that would possibly scratch the paint in the bed?
If everything has been fine for 3 years why change?
I like the look of the painted beds.

My truck is a year old and the bed is scratched and dented far more than I expected. I'm getting a spray in liner soon.

 

[dbp]

I still have yet to put in either a drop in or get a spray on bedliner. I have been using the rubber bedliner mat that I bought when I got the truck in 2023. I have always in the past had drop-in liners (its what was with the vehicles I had bought, I never bought a new truck until the maverick), and have always liked them, I like that its easy to slide items. At the time when I ordered the maverick the bedliners were an item that was possibly holding up getting your truck, so I didn't add it. Anyway, suggestions on either drop-in or spray in (line-X/rhinoliner). And if you don't mind, why you chose the way you chose. This Maverick truck club is awesome by the way, always get good advice from it.

I know it wasn't one of your choices, but having tried both, for me, the hands down winner is a bedrug! Superior protection, easy to clean, easy on my knees, and good looking. I've used it in my last two trucks, my van, and my cargo trailer. Works great for me!!

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