Your truck is your life. Perfect for work or play, it goes everywhere you go. That’s why it’s so important to make sure to protect it every way possible.
One way of protecting it is with a truck bed liner. Why is a bed liner so important? Quite simply, a bed liner keeps your truck looking newer longer by providing protection from whatever you throw at it.
And yet with so many types of bed liners on the market, it can be a challenge knowing which one is right for your truck. This article will help make that process a bit easy. Keep reading to learn the facts for keeping your truck bed looking awesome.
Types of Bed Liners
There’s more than one type of liner to choose from. Let’s take a look at the differences between them.
Spray-In Liners
Spray-in bed liners have become increasingly popular in the past few decades. That’s because they are so durable and easy to clean, and you get a lot for the money.
This type of liner can be bought in an aerosol can or applied with an air sprayer at home, or you can have it done by a professional service. This is also an option available on many new trucks. Spray-in liners provide great durability.
For the best liners on the market, be sure to visit Speedliner for a list of options.
Plastic Liners
Plastic bed liners have been popular for decades, partly based on price, and partly because they are easy to install.
This type of liner is simply slid into place and can be anchored in a variety of ways. This is great because you really won’t need any special tools in order to complete installation.
One of the reasons many truck owners still opt for a plastic slide-in liner is the fact that it can easily be removed. This makes replacement simple. It also makes it easy to remove the liner so that you can clean the bed on a regular basis, which is highly recommended.
Brush & Roll-In Liners
As the name implies, this type of bed liner is installed using a brush or roller, rather than the coating being applied by spray.
Brush and roll-in liners are applied just like a coat of paint. And as with spray-in liners, they can be installed at home or by a professional service.
One of the great features on this type of liner is the fact that you can make it as thick or thin as you like. That’s because the brush or roller gives you more control of the process.
The key to home installation is to make sure that your truck bed is clean and dry before getting started. Any debris such as sand or dirt will create flaws and weaknesses in the finished surface. This will also create inconsistencies in the finished surface because the product won’t stick properly in those spots.
Bed Mats & Rugs
When it comes to protecting the bed of your truck, you aren’t limited to bed liners. There are a few other options.
This includes bed mats and rugs. This is probably the cheapest and simplest solution and requires the least amount of installation time.
This is a simple as it sounds. Bed mats and rugs are designed to be placed in the bed of your truck, and offer significant protection, though not the level of protection provided by other options.
Tonneau Covers
Next, let’s look at tonneau covers. This type of truck bed cover is hard and flat and provides protection for the entire cargo area of your truck. They are available in a variety of materials, including fiberglass and plastic.
Tonneau covers are typically a special order item. You will need to measure your bed in order to get one that perfectly fits the make and model of your truck.
It’s important to keep in mind that this type of bed cover will limit the amount of stuff you can carry in the cargo area. They are typically fitted with a panel door on a hinge so that it can be opened, but access to the deepest part of the bed will be restricted.
Roll-Up Covers
Roll-up covers are among the most economical covers on the market, thus they are also the most common. They are typically made from heavy-duty vinyl and can be easily rolled up to grant access to the cargo area.
Retractable Covers
This type of cover is a lot like roll-up covers, allowing easy access to cargo. The major difference is that retractable covers feature a mechanism for retracting the cover rather than simply rolling it up.
Folding Covers
Lastly, let’s look at folding covers. This type of cover is popular both for price, as well as the fact that it can simply be folded up and removed. These are generally made of hard plastic or soft vinyl and will either sit flush with the bed or slightly above it.
Assessing Your Needs
The major factors to consider when shopping for a bed liner are price, security, and durability. Many truck owners want to protect their beds from damage with a liner, while also using a cover to protect their cargo.
A lot of the decisions boils down to how much value you place on protecting your truck, as well as which type of liner will best serve your needs.
The key question to ask yourself is what do you put in your truck? This will help you determine the level of protection you need, and which liner will offer the level of protection you desire.
Choosing the Right Truck Bed Liner for Your Truck
Your truck is a major investment. That’s why it’s important to make sure to protect it. Picking the right truck bed liner for your ride will keep it looking awesome. And the information contained in this article will help you make the decision-making process much easier.
If you found this article helpful, be sure to keep browsing our website for more great money-saving tips and other useful information.
