3 Different Types of Bed Liners For Trucks
When your truck is used frequently to haul, your truck's bed can receive a lot of damage. As the owner of a truck, one of the most important things you can do is protect it by installing a cargo bed liner.
Having a truck liner protects your entire vehicle from the most typical damages a truck can receive. Bed liners for trucks protect your investment by warding off rust, dents, chips in paint, and wear and tear from the elements. When you live somewhere like Flagstaff, it's important to protect your cargo bed from our hot summers and harsh winters. Severe sun and snow can cause major damage to the finish on the bed of a truck.
Manufacturers, in order to serve vehicle owners, have developed different types of bed liners for different types of uses. If you frequently use or plan on frequently using your truck for work, you’ll find that your truck bed will need to be protected. Hauling awkward-shaped cargo or items that are extremely heavy might bend the metal on your cargo bed, causing permanent damage. If you use your truck infrequently, you still run the risk of having damage caused by the sun or inclement weather. Excessive snow, rain, or hail can damage the finish on your truck bed, leading to paint chipping, and even rust damage.
How to Determine Which Bed Liner Is Best For You
There are a few different types of bed liners that you could choose for your particular vehicle. There are several reasons why you would want to protect your truck bed. It will all depend on how often you are using the bed of your truck, the types of materials that you haul, and how you would like your truck to look. With a little research, you'll be able to decide which type of truck liner would be perfect for your vehicle. You'll need to consider a few things:
- Weight of your hauling loads
- Size and shape of your cargo
- How often your truck bed is exposed to harsh weather
- How often your truck is used
3 Different Types of Bed Liners For Trucks
Since there are several different types of bed liners for trucks, you have a few options to choose from for your needs. Incidentally, some liners are more permanent than others, while some will raise the value of your truck. If you are planning on selling your truck in the future, you may want to consider a cargo bed liner that will increase your sale price.
Mats
Mats are an extremely inexpensive option for a vehicle owner who is not sure about whether they want permanent bed inserts. A thick rubber mat will protect the bed of your truck from minor nicks and scrapes from your cargo. If you think that you will be hauling frequently, then you might want to consider one of the other different types of bed liners. But if you like the flexibility of being able to easily remove your bed liner, a mat may be for you. There are a few things to consider when purchasing a rubber mat for the bed of your truck.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Easy to replace
- Easy to clean
- Non-permanent
Cons
- May trap water or snow underneath, leading to rust damage to your truck bed
- Doesn't cover the entirety of your truck bed, most mats just cover the floor of your truck bed
- For heavy usage, you will probably need to replace your mats on a regular basis.
Drop-In Liners
Sometimes you want more coverage than a mat, but still want something rather inexpensive for your cargo truck bed. Drop-in liners for cargo truck beds are popular for this reason. These liners are made of thick plastic or rubber that covers the floor and sides of your truck bed. They are a bit more expensive than mats and need to be fitted to your particular make and model of truck. Since drop-in liners can be installed by the owner, many people prefer these types of truck bed inserts. However, this also means that you run the risk of improper installation.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Covers the sides and floor of your cargo truck bed
- Made of heavy-duty plastic
- Self-installation
Cons
- Tend to get very hot while sitting in the sun
- May crack after repeated usage
- May trap dirt, water, or snow against the surface of your truck
- Must be adequately fitted to your particular make and model of truck
- Must fit perfectly
Spray-On Coatings
Spray-on truck bed liners are the top-of-the-line of cargo bed protection. They are permanent, waterproof, and long-lasting. There are some spray-on liners that will help you to retain the value of your vehicle, should you ever decide to sell. A well-installed spray-on cargo bed liner will last you a long time and help your truck bed to keep its shape even when regularly hauling large, heavy, or awkward cargo.
Pros
- Fit your truck perfectly
- Absorbs shock, which helps to protect your cargo and your truck
- Completely waterproof
- Protects your truck bed from harsh elements
- Protects against rust and damage
- Easy to clean
- May help retain your truck's value
Cons
- More of a financial investment
- Not all installers are reputable
- Not all spray-on liner brands are equal
Your Local LINE-X Spray-On Bed Liner Installation
Of all the different types of bed liners, Flagstaff Collision Center has decided to bring the best cargo bed liner offered on the market to our customers: the LINE-X spray-on liner. This bed liner has all the benefits of a traditional spray-on liner, but includes more. It is extremely durable, prevents rust, and is fade resistant. Unlike other spray-on liners, LINE-X offers a nationwide lifetime warranty. We are so impressed with this product that we have become an authorized LINE-X installer.
At Flagstaff Collision Center, we can install your LINE-X bed liner, provide regular inspection and maintenance for it, and answer all your questions regarding the warranty. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of a LINE-X brand spray-on liner, please contact us today.
