bed liner: spray in vs. plastic

[69Special]

I was wondering if you could help me out with this.

My parents just bought a new 2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 work truck. From what they tell me, it came with one of the older-style plastic bed liners. The dealer is trying to get them to have it removed so they can spray in something like a Rhino Liner. They are telling them that it the spray in liner is better, as no water can get trapped under the liner.

They live in AZ, so while there's rain, it's not like there's a ton of it. Part of me thinks it's not worth the additional $500.

What do you guys think?

[cjracing15]

I have a spray in liner in my 07 and I love it. I will not have another truck without it. I do not like the plastic liners at all. Not for just the water problem but they slide back and forth all the time and ruins the paint under it. The spray in is permanent but it looks good and is very durable. Line-x liner is what I have.

[Joe67]

Having had both for a while...

For a work truck, nothing protects the bed from dings and gouges like a plastic drop in liner. Downside: Looks & over time it will scratch the paint from the bed surface. It will also trap debris and water in there as well. I'd remove it twice a year and clean the bed and replace it.

For a non-work truck, spray in is the only way to go. While it does not protect against dents too much and will tear from things like fork lifts etc, it looks much better than a plastic drop in and is water tight

[Boog]

I have both types. I absolutely hate the way things slide around on the plastic liners and love how things stay put on the Rhinoliner. I've hauled a good bit of stuff and the spray in is hands down the best. Price is a bit high in comparison. As an alternative to the spray in you can buy a roll on liner for around $100. Smooth or textured finish and some offer color matching too. Prep is everything. It's got to be clean or the roll on or spray on will not stick.

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by Boog

I absolutely hate the way things slide around on the plastic liners and love how things stay put on the Rhinoliner.

I put a "bed mat" in mine and nothing moved around.

If it is a work truck that will be going away in a few years than it's your choice.
If you plan keeping the truck and maybe some day wanting the inside of the bed to still be nice, the drop in liner may scuff the paint, but it should protect the metal.

Personal preference.

[Joe67]

Originally Posted by kevinr1970

I put a "bed mat" in mine and nothing moved around.

If it is a work truck that will be going away in a few years than it's your choice.
If you plan keeping the truck and maybe some day wanting the inside of the bed to still be nice, the drop in liner may scuff the paint, but it should protect the metal.

Personal preference.

x2 I used a bed mat when I had a plastic liner, and stull use it with my spray in.

[ed2552]

We have a spray-in liner on our 2005 2500HD and it's worth its weight in gold. It has gotten scratched, but it protects the bed, is easy to clean, and looks good. We have what's called Superliner, applied by a local guy, and it has a UV protectant in it, so when it's clean it still shines, unlike Rhinoliner and Line-X which fade.

[Larry S]

I have a spray in liner on my 05 2500 hd. There is differences in the spray in's tho. I had a rhino liner in my 03 1500 and was never happy with it. The thing was fairly durable but it faded out quick. I took it back to where I had it put in and they gave me some "cleaner/ sealer" for it and it helped a while and went back to faded. That truck hauled nothing and was garaged. I researched all kinds of liners before having my 05 hd done and I Went with a liner called a "hammerhead" liner. I had never heard of it before but I gota list of ingredient materials and let my father in law (25+ yr paint & body man) see it and he said "get this one, it wont fade. Ive had it in there since 05. It hasnt faded hardly any and is very thick and hard. Ive had alot of people compliment this liner. I recommend it hands down over the rhino, or linex.

[johndawelder]

I have line-X in my 04 silverado 2500.It's my work truck so I could give two sh!ts about wether it fades or not.All I can tell you is it's tough and I'm well pleased with it's durability.

[Black 95 TSI]

My Silverado came with a Rhino liner. I love it, I have hauled everything from engines to firewood and never have had a problem. It has faded some. My brother has a plastic dropin and his bed is all messed up. Both of our trucks came from PA.

[extd56]

I like the bed amts myself and have had all three before. When you sell the truck the mat is easy to remove, unlike the spray in liner. I have had to remove them before and it is a chore.