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It depends on how you use it. My 77 has never had a bed liner. Sure, it's got some scratches, but nothing bad. We never really abused it though. My 1994 Toyota has had a drop in liner since new. I have hauled all sorts of things and never worried about it.
I have the factory spray in liner. It's not slippery when wet or covered in snow. So there's traction aid, durability, and (on steel beds) rust protection.
I've had pallets forklift loaded into my truck. Sliding the pallet along the bed probably would have scraped most of the paint off. Instead, I have sawdust scraped off the wood by the texture of the bed liner.
A bed mat (or rubber horse mat from Tractor Supply) would certainly pad equipment better. Horse mat might be cheaper, and is usually thicker I think.
Anybody double up? I have a mat that came with the truck but plan on getting the bed liner and then thinking about throwing the mat back in for padding and traction. Think it will blend right in to the liner.
Anybody double up? I have a mat that came with the truck but plan on getting the bed liner and then thinking about throwing the mat back in for padding and traction. Think it will blend right in to the liner.
I've thought about adding a mat for padding. Already noticed some dents from hauling firewood for a friend over 2 Saturdays. Nothing major, just feels odd coming from a Tacoma with a polymer bed that never dented.
Anybody double up? I have a mat that came with the truck but plan on getting the bed liner and then thinking about throwing the mat back in for padding and traction. Think it will blend right in to the liner.
Many do this, simply because the mat helps to keep things from sliding. And it's easier on the knees.
The only reason I'd get a spray in liner is to keep things from sliding around as much.
I'm a little different than most folks here. I couldn't care less if the inside of the bed is scratched up or dented.
It's a truck. You're supposed to haul stuff with it. Hauling stuff puts scratches and dents in the bed. Big whoop.
I had a 99 ford that I bought used that had a spray in liner. I really liked it. It was a line x brand and was kinda soft so it worked well at stopping stuff from sliding around.
Next was a used 01 dodge. It had a spray in liner that was pretty hard. (Don't know the brand) it worked better at keeping stuff from sliding than having nothing, I suppose, but it wasn't all that great.
My 2012 ford didn't have any liner and it got scratched up and had a few dents. Most things I put in there I could hold in place with a small pull strap, but some stuff just rolled around.
My 2015 doesn't have a liner and it already has a few scratches.
I'm not losing sleep over it...
If your a survivor and carry alot of equipment, you may want to look into the DECKED truck storage system by DECKED. If you search for it in the forum I believe they are taking $300.00 off for forum folks. Not a sales rep but thought it was a great way to carry and store equipment.
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.
This is a bed mat, it's basically a piece of rubber that's designed to fit and cover the entire floor of the bed. It helps with things sliding in the bed and it absorbs hard hits without it denting the bed and for less than $100 directly from Ford it was worth it to me.
To offer another option for your situation, check out DualLiner. I had one in my 13, and now one in my 15 F150. Its a five piece liner with a rubber bed mat, plastic panels for the side and head panels, and cover for the tailgate. Cost is about $400 shipped.
