Is rust an issue with drop-in bedliner?

[DDTJRAC]

I was thinking of getting Ford's drop-in bedliner when ordering the truck. I had read the drop-in bedliner can hold moisture and cause rust as compared to the spray-in bedliner. I will be putting a tonneau cover on the bed.

Here is what Google said:

Choosing between a drop-in and a spray-in bedliner involves comparing cost, protection, and cargo grip. Drop-in liners cost $140 to $400 and slip right in without prep, while spray-in liners cost $425 to $600 and bond permanently to the metal bed. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Drop-In Bedliners

• • Cost: Cheaper ($140 – $400).
  • Installation: Fast, requires no special prep or painting.
  • Pros: Absorbs hard impact hits well without denting the truck body; easy to remove and replace.
  • Cons: Can trap water, dirt, and moisture underneath, which causes rust; slick plastic lets cargo slide around; can vibrate, rattle, and rub off factory paint. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Spray-In Bedliners

• • Cost: More expensive ($425 – $600). [1]
  • Installation: Permanent professional application requiring surface sanding/prep. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  • Pros: Seals the bed completely against rust and moisture; textured surface keeps cargo from sliding; often includes a lifetime warranty. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
  • Cons: Harder to clean out; permanent (cannot be easily removed if damaged); offers less protection against sharp heavy drops that can still dent the underlying metal. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

What did you get for your truck? Drop-in or spray-in?

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[Glen Baker LLC]

Which one would YOU prefer?

I have not seen any currently documented with pictures, that show proof of rust happening underneath a drop in liner. Not something from 20 years ago.
My XLT came with a spray-in liner.
I had drop in liners in my 2 Rangers and my Nissan hardbody. I never had a problem rust in the bed and that was while living in the upper Midwest.
Quarter and rocker panels were another matter.

 

[BK007]

I have had both drop-in and spray-in on a half dozen or more trucks over the years. And always have had tonneau covers on them as well. I have the Ford Spray in now. But have had drop-in the past and no rust issues at all. I would not hesitate on putting in a drop in liner at all.

 

[Drew304]

I have the carpet liner and a tonneau cover, it’s made for a truck bed so it doesn’t mold, stays dry anyway. Really slick looking and could always throw a tarp down the 2 times a year it may get dirty.

 

[Johnkn]

I have the carpet liner and a tonneau cover, it’s made for a truck bed so it doesn’t mold, stays dry anyway. Really slick looking and could always throw a tarp down the 2 times a year it may get dirty.

Your carpet liner stays dry?

You must have the only Maverick in existence that doesn't experience (at least some) water intrusion into the bed area even with the best covers...


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[OleFordGuy]

This is almost like oil change intervals/types/brands of oil treads. An endless thread of personal preferences, etc. But to answer you question, mine came with the factory Spray-In bed liner.

As additional info, I've had numerous trucks over the years, I had spray in liners in all of them except for one that had a drop in liner. I've thrown sledge hammers , iron wedges, chain saws, shovels, rakes, etc on my spray in liners, never did they scratch off or be damaged. I did similar with the drop in liner without too much damage, it did crack pretty bad when a heavy pallet load of sod grass was set down on it. Could a drop in liner cause scratches on the metal bed it's covering over time, I can only assume it's highly possible but I have no proof, I never removed the one I had when I sold the truck. Bottom line, get what YOU feel is best for YOUR preferences/needs.

 

[Drew304]

If it pours it will get a little water but I park in a garage 99% of the time. It’s a be drug brand liner, says it’s the same material they use on boats carpets so water isn’t an issue

 

[Drew304]

Bedrug brand

 

[OleFordGuy]

I can also say the Bed Rug is AWESOME. I have one on top of my spray in liner since it's Easy On The Knees. Mine only covers the bed floor and tailgate but they have a version that covers the the bed floor-bed sides & tailgate

https://realtruck.com/p/husky-liners-guardian-comfort-bed-and-tailgate-mat/

https://realtruck.com/p/husky-liners-guardian-comfort-full-bed-liner/

 

[Edge Haley]

My used Ranger had a drop-in and received a small puncture hole from loading bricks, lumber, etc and eventually started rusting since I could not see the water underneath. If I hauled lots of sharp items (like gravel, bricks, landscaping stuff) I'd bet a Spray-in ($550). If I was only going to keep the truck for 3 or 4 years I'd save the $550 for the Spray-in and get a rubber matt for $150+. Spryed-in liners are fairly bullet proof. Either way, I keep a small throw in carpet matt in back of my Spryed-in liner to protect the knees.

 

[Harry's Humble Hitch]

I haven't really had an issue with the thick bedliner that's been in my dodge for 20+ years. If I had a hard use truck, yeah maybe I'd do spray in just for peace of mind.

On my Maverick? I just have a bed mat that extends over the tailgate. I don't plan on taking a shovel to it, and sheet boards would be rare. So, I don't need wheel well protection. Just depends on your use case and budget.

 

[tiktokbrainrot]

All drop in liners are vulnerable to hidden rust. They retain moisture underneath the liner, and if anything happens to the paint, it will sit and eat the bed.

On a unibody vehicle like the Mav, that is a death sentence, because the bed is structural and cannot be replaced like on a BoF truck, and we've seen how bad the roofs rust when the paint gets scratched.

Just get the spray in. Whatever savings a drop in provides are not worth the risk. Unless you are beating the snot out of a truck carrying rocks every day, drop ins dont make any sense.

 

[Johnkn]

If it pours it will get a little water but I park in a garage 99% of the time. It’s a be drug brand liner, says it’s the same material they use on boats carpets so water isn’t an issue

Water on marine-grade carpet isn't the issue.

Water and moisture trapped under the carpet not ventilated and against the bed ...is... the issue.





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[Darnon]

I stand by my opinion that the rust issue of drop-ins is overblown especially anywhere that salt exposure is a factor. The bed is going to rust out faster from the underside faster than from some boogeyman trapped moisture.

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