Truck Owners -- is it better to get spray on bedliner, or installed bedliner -- Another ? on edit

[Heddi]

Last edited Sun Feb 21, 2016, 09:01 PM - Edit history (1)

Mr Heddi and I are planning on upgrading from the Subaru Forester to a pickup truck in the next few months in order to tow some toys we're interested in getting (5th wheel and boat). We'd be buying our truck new (looking at Nissan Frontier b/c that is Consumer Report recommended, but also looking at Toyota's as well), and wondering whether it is better to get spray-on bedliner or one of the ones that is installed?

Thanks!

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Thanks for the info, folks!
Now here's a question --

Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier?

Consumer Reports recommends Nissan, but online people seem to like Toyota better. The Nissan is about 5-7K cheaper than the Toyota with the options we want....

Any suggestions?

[MADem]

1. I don't know the answer, but I think this is a worthwhile question so I am kicking and reccing! nt

[cantbeserious]

2. Spray On - Chemically Bonds To The Bed - No Air Gaps From Which Invisible Corrosion Can Spread

eom

[Lochloosa]

3. I agree. Spend the money for a good professional job.

[Heddi]

4. Thanks! That's what we were thinking

didn't know if we went to sell the truck in a few years if potential buyers would want a spray on liner or one that could be removed. The thought about corrosion under the installed bedliner is a good point.

Thanks so much!

[jmowreader]

5. Spray-on.

Make sure to take the truck to someone who will properly prep the bed before spraying the material on...

Properly-installed spray-on bedliner will keep the bed from rusting out because no water can get between the liner coating and the steel bed. The formed plastic bedliners trap water between them and the bed, and actually PROMOTE rust.

But please, whatever you do...don't have the body coated in that crap unless you're planning on doing a LOT of hunting. On a rig that spends its life in town, it looks hokey as hell.

[Heddi]

6. No hunting, but we are planning on using the bed a lot....

getting ready to buy our first house, and we're going be buying/hauling lots of yard crap, plants, planks, etc. I want some kind of protectant because I don't want our $30k truck to look like shit after the first year.

We also camp and boat a lot, and will be hauling lots of things, most of them wet and muddy. We'll be living in florida so add that salt water to the wetness. We'll have a dog so, again, want some protection in the back.

We are also thinking of getting a lid or topper or whatever you call it for the back. Not sure on that part yet. Part of me wants it so we can haul more things for camping without them flying around, getting wet, have a dog in the back without worrying about them jumping out into traffic, etc. The other part of me thinks that a truck topper/lid/whatever makes me feel like I should be a member of the VFW....

[jmowreader]

7. Yeah, I think a spray-on will be better for you

My dad has a formed liner in his truck - he bought it used and it was already in there. There are several holes in it from when he's thrown tools, sharp rocks and other articles in the bed.

As for the cap (what you're calling a "lid or topper&quot ...if you're towing, the caps that are higher in back than in front are REAL nice because they make the air flow better over your trailer. Plus, they keep your rig from looking like it's a Suburban.

[yellowdogintexas]

16. the bed topper is amazing. I am glad hubby put it on his truck and the liner is a

really heavy textured sprayed material. Still looks new after six years

[Major Nikon]

8. If you are worried about appearance, you can have the color matched to your truck

Although I'm pretty sure that will cost considerably more than a basic black bedliner. I've also known people who have done it themselves with professional looking results. This might save you $200 or so, but you'll have several hours of work as getting everything prepped is the most important and takes the most time.

I had one done many years ago and I'm not sure I'd ever do it again. Trucks are made to be used, and I'm not sure that a scratched up bed is really going to devalue one all that much. Even if it did, you can always have the bedliner installed before you sell it. The thing I didn't like about it was it made things harder to slide in and out of the bed, which might be even more of a consideration if you are putting a top on it.

If you are going to put a top on the bed, you might consider just getting a custom rubber bed liner. They cost about $100.

[Heddi]

11. Thanks so much for your input

we have lots to think about. Never been truck owners before.

thanks again!

[ChickenGuru]

9. Just some real world experience.

I have a 2014 Tacoma. Purchased in Dec. of 2013. Coming up on 41,000 miles.
Not one thing has failed or caused me grief. Other than gas and oil, no additional expenses.
I have the spray on liner from the factory and would not have anything else.
They do such a nice job you don't even notice it.
Do wish I had got a cap for it but then I would only be mad every time I put a load of hay in it.
Get the Toyota. You'll save the difference in price by the lack of repairs.

[Heddi]

12. Thanks for your input!

I was wondering about the reliability. We've owned Hondas in the past and know that (way back then, at least), Hondas and Toyotas were pretty equal as far as getting a good value for your money. I've also heard the resale value for the Toyota is mch better than a Nissan. Looking at them online, youdo get a bit more whizz-bang for your buck, nicer upgrades and looks nicer than what you get for the Nissan.

Thanks again!

[NV Whino]

10. Cant go wrong with Toyota trucks

It's probably the best thing they make.

When I had my truck, I put on a removable camper top. it clamps on to the side rails. Best of both worlds: open bed for large bulky objects; closed in for dog and blow-away loads.

And I have been told that the Frontier is simply a glorified Ford. Not sure if that is true. Also, Toyota holds the resale value.

[Heddi]

13. Thanks so much

I appreciate your input. We're comparing models now. I know back when we had our Honda (15+ years ago), Toyotas and Hondas were pretty much on par as having great resale value and being relatively maintenance free (other than the things youshould do to them).

Thanks again!

[Nac Mac Feegle]

14. Just my 2 cents, from experience

Have the Tacoma bed sprayed in.

I've had both types. The above are all true, but another thing I ran across is that the drop-in bedliners are slippery. Anything you have in there will move around. The pallet of cement block I had in the back of my 3/4 ton GMC slid from the back to the front when I had to hit the brakes when an idiot pulled out in front of me. It bent the front of the box.

I've also seen more than a few drop-in liners lying in the Interstate median, due to poor or no attachment to the bed. A gust from the right direction at the right time, and those things will get airborne. They'll also warp and crack with age and heat.

The Tacoma I had sprayed, and when a high school girl ran a red light and T-Boned my mom, the bed wrinkled twice between the edge of the floor and the frame rail attachment. The spray-in stayed with the metal, it didn't delaminate.

One piece of advice: When you have a bed liner sprayed in, have them extend the covering over the tops of the rails, and down the outside about a quarter to half an inch. If you're putting something into the bed from the side, you'll naturally rest it on the edge. The liner prevents the top of the bed from getting scratched up. If something gets dropped on that edge, the liner takes the impact. Less chance of a dent, and no paint scratches. And the sprayed in liner can be repaired, if something does damage it.

The best liners are Inyati and Line-X brands, from what I remember. There may be a local outfit that has a good reputation, so check around.

Have it done, rather than doing it yourself, if you have the option.



Just my experiences over 20 years.
Good luck however you go.

[yellowdogintexas]

17. we have a Line-X it is terrific

[dr.strangelove]

15. Spray on, but DO NOT go cheap

To properly spray on a liner, the bed has to first be treated, then lined. Some places do a cheap job where they just spray on a rubber polymer, but if th ebed is not treated first, it has a short lifespan. I learned from experience, pay the extra money for the places that do a cleaning, breakdown treatment and then spray. Give the the truck for the weekend and it comes back looking great and will last over 20 years. Best of luck.