Drop in vs Spray in bedliner suggestions.

[Ecorydr]

The color option Line-X spray in liners have come in colors for years. In the Jeeping offroad world Ive seen many who have had their whole jeep sprayed in the color of their choice since early 2000's. It was also fairly cheap too back then, and, the same waranty applied even on the trail on scratches.

Had considered getting our offroad TJ done, but never did.

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[f1jim]

I am 70 and have owned 6 pickups in my life. My early pickups all had drop in liners. The last 3 have all had spray on liners.
I like spray on liners for their anti-corrosive properties and the fact they don't really use up much bed space as opposed to the drop ins. As I have aged and my knees are less tolerant of kneeling on the bed material I have added a mat. The mats come in a wide variety of thicknesses and designs. I was a fortunate winner here on the forum of a mat from one of our sponsors, 3W. It's thin but still saves my knees. It also easily slips out when I prefer the slickness of the spray on liner. Best of both worlds.
f1jim

 

[Exranger]

Drop in in my ranger, nothing in my f150, it was beat to death, even a hole in the metal! Not worried about scratching it… when my new Mav was ordered, there was a point when the sliding rails were free with spray in liner, so I changed my order and have spray in.
I added the Maverick rubber mat and am happy with this setup.

 

[Tailender]

My truck isn't really used for truck things except for some light towing. My 22 got the bed rug for the floor because they didn't have a full coverage one yet. Now with my 25, I have the complete cover one and really like it. If I would pick something for a "work" truck, I'd go spray in.

 

[Msradke]

Have had both over the years. Prefer spray in. I also add a mat to it less sliding around

 

[hurrah]

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 highly recommend a spray in liner if you plan on keeping the truck for several years. Over the years I've had both and after time water accumulates under the drop ins and causes rust plus they have a tendency to crack and deform. I've had both line-x and Rhino. Both are good but I prefer line-x if I can get it at comparable prices. I have Rhino in my F 250 and line-x in my Maverick-both are good but the line-x does a better job installing.

 

[Tim d]

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 have a 17 year old ram that I put a drop in bedliner in when new. No topper. If you lift up the liner the bed almost looks new. Easier to slide items in place when loading to secure, and, if you sell said vehicle you can remove the topper and resell it. Thats why I went with a drop in with our maverick.

 

[Gschaef]

I had a drop in liner with my Ranger for almost 30 years. Cut a piece of carpet as a mat to put on top for my dogs. Hauled all kinds of things. Threw in fire wood and other heavy objects without worry and it was still in very good shape when I sold it. No water or paint damage. I decided on a drop in when I bought the Maverick for those reasons but changed my mind during the install.

The Mav has uni body construction and this has caused lots of problems with water leakage for many owners who have tonneau covers. The same might apply to drop in liners. The installers were about 3/4 done with the job when I stopped them and had it removed. There is no space between the cab and bulkhead and that means you can't get a lip under that portion and that seemed to me to be a place where water could get under the liner. And the lack of a lip didn't provide as good a seal along that portion and it looked to me like that could have some unwanted movement and warpage as it aged.

So I went with the spray in. It has pros and cons. I ended up putting a mat on top for my knees and the dogs. The spray in will still let stuff slide around but the mat keeps things in place and is easy to remove. If I had bought the drop in I would have wanted to remove and clean it once a year or do to inspect for rust or other paint damage. Don't have to think about that with the spray in so I'm happy with it.

If you have gone three years with no damage it sounds like either would work for you. I would suggest you be there if you get a drop in to make sure you are satisfied with the fit. If money is not an issue then I would suggest the spray in. It sounds like you are extremely careful with your vehicle and want to keep it in pristine condition. The spray in will give you better peace of mind with that. Good luck.

 

[jimbabwe]

Because there aren't enough replies....
I went with Line-X and think it's great. I also bought a cheapish drop-in mat/liner for the bed that I put on top of the Line-X as more protection. Probably overkill, but easy to take the mat/liner out, hose it down/clean it and put it back. The texture of th Line-X can make it a little fun to get fine stuff out of the bed.

 

[scharris99]

I got great advice from a truck salesman 4 trucks ago - bedliners are for when you sell the truck to make the bed look new. While you own it use the painted bed or put in a rug if you don't want a slidable surface.

 

[rtphokie]

After pulling a drop in liner out of an older truck and seeing rust, I’ll never put anything in but spray in. The cost difference isn’t that much, it looks so much better, and provides better protection.

 

[F150 2.7 TT user]

I have a Tremor in shipping and it comes with the spray in liner. I will not use any drop in.

 

[notfast]

How often do owners remove their drop in bed liner?

Once every 2-3 years. I mostly drove around the southwest and worst it got was a little dusty underneath.

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.

Same. I've drilled holes in the roof to mount equipment. When it comes time to sell, I just get the holes welded up and the roof repainted.

I find it mildly amusing how folks will buy vehicles with leather or Softex seats and then sit on seat covers for the duration of their ownership. I'm sure there's good reasons such as if the car had everything else you wanted but you don't like leather seats. But at least for me, I'd rather just sit on the nicer surface and get the seats reupholstered if they wear out.

 

[Beau]

I have seen drop in bedliners along the highway, but I have never seen a spay in liner along the highway.

I had a DYI spray in line on my 98 Ranger for 15 years. No problems.

 

[Timothyd]

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 always thought you should beat up the bed and drop in a liner before you sell it.

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