Just bought a 2013 F150XLT without a bed liner. Had a Chevy 2500 with a Rhino liner just installed before I bought it and was pleased with it.
It would seem to me the spray in liner would be the best for protection but that is the general consensus?

 

Line-X, I've had mine since new in 06. Still love it. I know there's other spray in liners that are good, it really comes down to the texture you like.

 

Plastic liner will provide better protection. It's also cheaper and easier to clean. It does get slippery when wet.

Spray in liner looks better, not as durable, harder to clean, better traction when wet and more expensive. I've seen countless stories of spray in liners chipping so that's something that would possibly be better paying a professional to do with a warranty.

All personal preference though. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

I had a plastic liner on my B2000, created bad rust problems, even in AZ. They do a great job protecting from dents though.

 

Rhino liner is thicker and more rubbery. LineX is thinner and more like sandpaper.
Over the 36 years of owning trucks, I had a 2 with the hard liner shells. 36 years ago starting out I bought 2 used trucks with he hard liners and let them until they died (they were about 8 years old). They don't rust underneath really. Maybe the rub and rust a bit now like holes even if it's 8 years old. If you use the truck as a truck, using linex with kept stuff from sliding but will get cuts and the truck will still dent. Grocery or a Home Depot getter then linex as a work truck get a shell or something like Rhino.

 

I've had drop in and spray in liners. My current truck has this and I like it a LOT better. Not just because it is less expensive, It just works better for what I want. I never had a problem with the sides getting beat up, just the floor. This protects great, and stuff doesn't slide around in the bed. Easy to pull out and clean too. Be sure to also buy the section for the tailgate if you go this route.

 

Thank you all some very good suggestions; will ponder it over and see which one is best for my use.

 

DeeZee bed mat.

Or Bedrug.

 

My set up is a bed mat and bed cover. Works for my needs.

 

I have both spray in and a bed mat. Works great.