Bed liner - drop in or spray on?

[jbrown5030]

My 2015 came with a nice drop in bed liner. There's not a thing wrong with it, but I just think I'd rather have the spray on. I don't do a ton of hauling other than the occasional load of mulch or something so I guess it doesn't really matter much, but does anybody have any strong opinions one way or the other? Has anybody had any problems with DIY spray on?

If I did decide to swap, anybody near Raleigh that would be interested in the old drop in?

 

[22hemi13]

Spray on won’t hold up as well as professional install. I’ve had bed liners and spray in. Honestly I’ve never paid them it’s always been what’s on he truck when I got it. Both have worked for me and I use my bed a lot.

 

[Hootbro]

If you value your time and future value of your truck, get the professional Line-X or Rhino liner spray in.

There is DIY product like the Raptor Liner system that can get you some semi-professional results but the prep and time it takes can be a wash in terms of money.

The auto part stores rattle can and roll on products will get you ghetto looking results.

 

[17CrewCab1500]

If you value your time and future value of your truck, get the professional Line-X or Rhino liner spray in.

There is DIY product like the Raptor Liner system that can get you some semi-professional results but the prep and time it takes can be a wash in terms of money.

The auto part stores rattle can and roll on products will get you ghetto looking results.

I agree. Do NOT rattle can or roll your truck. You will kill yourself when you ruin your truck!

I have done the DIY like SEM Bedliner, Raptor, Defender etc... I've been doing body paint for 20 years - so I can make those look amazing.. but I would 100% recommend that you take your truck to your local Line-X dealer and say make my truck look *******'!

 

[crazykid1994]

I prefer the rhino liner hybrid myself after getting both linex and rhino done to my truck. Steps got linex and bed got rhino hybrid. The rhino feels tougher and cleans up easier for me than the linex. I took out my plastic bed liner after seeing that it was rubbing through the clear coat in a few spots in my bed

 

[JoshR104]

I would suggest spray in over drop in. Like crazykid mentioned if you plan on keeping it awhile it can trap moisture and debris between it and the bed which can cause it to rot out much quicker.

 

[lobsterbake]

Linex Premium - will look new for years, life time warranty and tough as nails. I get the bed sprayed immediately when I get a truck and this is my third one.

 

[Truck Fun]

Had a drop-in three trucks ago; was slick when wet, held moisture underneath; rubbed the paint. On my previous truck, I did my own roll-in and then put a mat in it. It was a used truck so I didn't (and couldn't at the time) spend a lot on it. The roll-in wasn't very thick and really was more of a way to cover scratches/scraped paint. If my new truck had not come with the factory spray-in; I would have had a lineX done.

 

[ExpressRules]

Think of a third alternative, BedRug. Have one on current and also installed one on last. Keeps things from easily sliding around, saves your knees crawling around. If it gets dirty I just take it to self serve car wash and use high pressure wand.

 

[NCRaineman]

Think of a third alternative, BedRug. Have one on current and also installed one on last. Keeps things from easily sliding around, saves your knees crawling around. If it gets dirty I just take it to self serve car wash and use high pressure wand.

May I suggest a ratcheting load bar?

https://www.autotrucktoys.com/cdn/products/500x350/LUN607002-Lund-Ratchetnig-Cargo-Bar-A.jpg

Bought one from a local auto parts store for about $30, they're even cheaper online. Really nice to have.

With my camper shell the entire bed is enclosed, so I use it like a big trunk. I have a couple of plastic totes that I keep pinned up against the tailgate with the load bar. Keeps the small everyday stuff from sliding around and if I need to haul anything large the bar collapses and stows out of the way with the push of a lever.

 

[a_cowart11]

I may be the only one with this opinion but I definitely prefer the drop in. I had a dodge drop in on my last truck for over ten years and it is still in great shape. My dad still has the truck. I did a lot of hauling with it and never had a problem. My current truck came with a spray in. The last owner never hauled so it was in perfect shape. I’ve had it for 6 months now and it already looks worse than my old drop in did. And I haven’t really hauled anything major with this one yet. If you’re planning on using it there’s no contest for me. The drop in is the way to go. Just my opinion. Plus it’s easy to replace.

 

[17CrewCab1500]

I may be the only one with this opinion but I definitely prefer the drop in. I had a dodge drop in on my last truck for over ten years and it is still in great shape. My dad still has the truck. I did a lot of hauling with it and never had a problem. My current truck came with a spray in. The last owner never hauled so it was in perfect shape. I’ve had it for 6 months now and it already looks worse than my old drop in did. And I haven’t really hauled anything major with this one yet. If you’re planning on using it there’s no contest for me. The drop in is the way to go. Just my opinion. Plus it’s easy to replace.

Sounds like the person that had it done didn't use a good one and/or didn't opt'd for the UV protection. Those without it turn gray fast! But I see your point!

 

[FlaSeadude]

I'm a fan of the spray-in liners. I had Line-X applied to my 2003 and 2008 RAMs. My 2014 and 2015 RAMs came with the factory spray-in liner. I've hauled, rock, mulch, etc. with no damage to the liner or the bed.

 

[Neil E]

I'm going with a spray in myself. Better texture, and doesn't scrape the actual bed. My old drop in was so slick, everything just slid around in it.

 

[cuminslvr]

Mine came with the factory spray in liner. What do you guys think of these? Are they durable, its definitely not shiny at all so it seems like it wouldn't be slippery when wet. Just wondering what to expect. Previous trucks I had the Line-x product, this is the first one with it from the factory.

 

[dinger5]

i've had both! it's a no brainer, go with a spray in!

 

[Fergusontd]

My 2015 came with a nice drop in bed liner. There's not a thing wrong with it, but I just think I'd rather have the spray on. I don't do a ton of hauling other than the occasional load of mulch or something so I guess it doesn't really matter much, but does anybody have any strong opinions one way or the other? Has anybody had any problems with DIY spray on?

If I did decide to swap, anybody near Raleigh that would be interested in the old drop in?

 

[Fergusontd]

If you have a cap or tonneau cover a dropin will do fine. I had a Ram plastic liner for 16 years with a cap, had no bed rust. If you dont have any cover just open bed go professional spray in liner.

 

[BWL]

Mine came with the factory spray in liner. What do you guys think of these? Are they durable, its definitely not shiny at all so it seems like it wouldn't be slippery when wet. Just wondering what to expect. Previous trucks I had the Line-x product, this is the first one with it from the factory.

The factory spray in are good and very similar to the lineX

 

[Jeffmiller32]

I’d stick with you drop in unless you’re going to pay for a spray in liner. The DIY stuff is garbage and doesn’t compare. Plus you have to deal with all the prep and overspray. These guys know what they are doing.

I paid $350 for my spray in from a local shop. Now way I could have done half the job he did. Super clean.