Yes, I've searched. Spent the last half hour doing it but all the topics and responses covered everything BUT what my question is. Why have one at all?

I've ordered mine with a factory spray-in liner but I keep wondering if it's really all that necessary. This is my first truck. Other than saving scratches on the paint of the bed, are there any other good reasons for having them?

 

My 05 didn't have one when I bought it, the previous owner must have had a quad and thrown lots of crap in the bed, the tail gate had 2 clear spots where the rear tires of a heavy ATV were sitting, like big indents, and it had tons of dents and scratches all over the box, some were even cut right through the steel on the wheel wells etc, and we all know bare steel gets rusty in the elements.

The company that did the spray in liner fixed up all the dents, did the liner then gave me life time warranty on it which is generally standard with spray in companies. The other thing is it was a reflex liner, so it stays very soft in the winter, even with snow on it I didn't slip once while loading or unloading my sled.

So the reason I got it back then was to fix the damage and protect it, and then went back to the same guys when I got my 2015, because after seeing the damage on the old truck I didn't want that happening to the new one, it's also sound deadening, I don't haul much but with owning 2 sleds and an ATV, it was common sense for me to spend the $500 to get one put in.

 

They are significantly more durable than the paint coating. Seriously-its worth it to keep your truck in good shape. Without it the bed of the truck will look like crap quickly if you use it all...

 

Good points, both of you. And I do plan on using it a bunch. I'm a surveyor and expect to be loading my field equipment in it from time to time. I especially like the point about not slipping around when there's snow or rain. Also, good point about the sound deadening effects. Thanks.

 

If your gonna put that kinda stuff in there you may wanna look into a bed mat. There great at keeping things from sliding around. Drop-ins and spray-ins still tend to be a little slippery.

 

Should see my truck bed. Think I'll order a liner here in a few days..

 

Bed mat? Never heard of them. Today I did a survey in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. Since my XLT is still being built I had to rent a brand new GMC truck at U-Haul. I laid down a doubled-over furniture blanket on the bed then put my equipment on that, to absorb vibration better. Bed mat sounds even better.

 

Ever stand in the back of your bed after a rain or snow without a liner? Bet you'll get one quick after you slide around. It also adds durability. For the rest of the world, protects against rust (2015+ I know not an issue but still)

It also looks better. The factory paint color looked... well WEIRD. Looks naked without a liner.

I went with a LineX liner, better than drop in or factory sprayed on liners.

 

It's all in what you use it for...

For me, I like the rubber bed mat. I don't usually haul a ton of loose stuff like gravel or dirt, and the rubber mat keeps things from sliding around and stuff and is easy on the knees crawling around.

The way I look at it, if I do end up beating the bed to crap, I can always get a spray in liner down the road

 

My thoughts exactly