Before You Buy A Pickup Truck Bedliner

Drop-in bedliners are easy to install and can be easily removed. Most have thick, rigid bodies that provide pretty good protection against dents in the bed of your truck. Drop-in bedliners are long lasting and easy to clean. They can mount under the bedrail or can be placed over it to add more protection.

Some drop-in bedliners, like the Bedrug®, are made from flexible materials. Look closely at each type to determine how much protection it offers.

Some drop-in bedliners can shift around and rigid versions can scuff the paint undearneath. Dirt and sand can get behind a drop-in liner, making scratches even more likely if you don't keep the area clean. Drop-in bedliners can be gouged or broken (but they take a lot of abuse before the truck bed is affected).

Sprayed-on bedliners stick to your truck's body panels, so they sure can't shift around. They aren't as thick as drop-ins, but they do minimize minor denting. The sprays can be applied to any body panel, including interior or floor panels. Sprayed-on liners are easy to clean and available in many colors. You might prefer their sleeker look.

Sprayed-on bedliners can't be removed. They aren't as thick as drop-ins, so it's more likely that dropping something sharp or heavy will dent or gouge the liner and the truck bed underneath. Hard-to-remove stains, such as spilled paints, may become a permanent part of your truck bed. A sprayed-on liner should be applied by a professional if you want a truly professional appearance.

There are more aftermarket bedliner choices now than there have ever been. How do you use your truck? Will the bedliner protect your truck from constant hauling of heavy objects? Do you need slight protection for occasional use? Or is the bedliner strictly for looks? Study online resources, then visit local bedliner distributors. Ask questions about each bedliner to sort out which is the best for your truck.