ALT-2 Buyers Guide to Bed Rugs for Pickup Trucks
A bed rug, in case you didn't know, is a protective coating for your pickup's load bed. These come in a variety of materials and prices.
As with all vehicle accessories, you should begin by asking yourself what you want the part to do. In this case, consider what you carry in your pickup. Do you use it for farm waste or carrying your mountain bike, for example?
The toughest way to protect your load bed is with a layer of chequerplate metal. Usually this is aluminum, which resists rust and wears well. The name comes from the pattern on the material, which has raised metal strips arranged in roughly inch squares. It is commonly found on the steps and walkways of heavy machinery or factories, as it enables shoes to grip even when wet or muddy. You will probably have to cut a piece to fit from a larger metal sheet, and possibly bend it if you want to protect both the base and sides in one piece of metal. That done, it can be drilled and fitted with pop rivets or stainless steel bolts. Remember to drill holes for any tie-down points so that you can refit them on top of the chequerplate.
The disadvantage of this system is that the material is not particularly comfortable to sit on and will damage fragile cargoes unless you cover it, so this option is probably best for those who use their pickup to transport building or farming materials. It can also trap water between the chequerplate and the truck body, although this can be avoided with some careful application of silicone sealant during the fitting process.
If your truck is used for gentler pursuits, there are other options. You can buy molded plastic liners designed to fit a specific truck, which will protect your truck and will be less damaging to your cargo, although they will still be uncomfortable to sit on and will do little to cushion loads. They can also cause problems with scratching paint if improperly fitted.
It is possible to buy spray-on liners as well, however these typically take several hours to cure and still do little to protect fragile cargo. That said, they will protect your truck bed as the material adheres to the original paint and will get into all the smallest corners if carefully applied.
For a more protective approach again, there is the option of a Bed Rug. Marketed by various companies, these have a foam backing that will not damage your paintwork and are coated on the visible side with a hard-wearing carpet similar to that found in a normal trunk. These materials are tougher than they look and will still tolerate being used to carry large power tools and building materials. The advantage of this system is that it is made to measure, so will be easy to install and clean. You can use it to carry lawnmowers one day, then sit on the tail board at a sporting event the next. The foam backing will provide a cushioning effect for fragile items while the coating will help keep cargo in place, although you should still arrange proper tie-down points to prevent your loads breaking loose.
