Buyers Guide to Bed Rugs for Pickup Trucks
Protecting your pickup investment may not start with a bed rug, or bed liner, but it helps tremendously if you use the pickup bed for hauling anything. There are several different kinds of bed rugs available, with two distinct overall types spray on and plastic liners. Personal preference, where you live and what type of hauling you do will play a part in determining which type you opt for.
Spray on liners coat the entire bed of the pickup, can cover the rails and inside the tail gate. The covering is a mixture of polyurethane that conforms to the bed and also provides the added benefit of protecting your pickup bed from rust, corrosion, scratches, weather and general wear and tear. Strap hooks can be covered or added with no extra effort.
Application of the spray lining can be done professionally or purchased for those who like to do it themselves. The color of the covering can be custom mixed to match the color of the vehicle and some professional installers now offer custom designs.
One of the disadvantages to spray on lining is in removing it. Removing the lining is similar to removing wood stain, the original paint has to be removed as well. The price of professionally installed spray on liners is much higher than doing it yourself, but the quality may be worth the price, depending on what your needs are.
Plastic bed rugs are preformed durable ridged plastic that cover the bed of the pickup. They are cheaper than spray on liners and can be installed by a professional or purchased for self installation.
There are not as many color options and if not installed properly allow moisture to get trapped in between the liner and the body which will cause corrosion to the vehicle body. Installing tie down hooks to the inner body is also harder and care needs taken to make sure the area around the hook is sealed. A preformed bed liner may also cause problems for securing a camper shell to the bed of the pickup.
An age old problem with walking on beds is footing when the bed is wet or icy. A bed liner of either choice may also be slippery when wet. Both styles of liner are easy to clean and offer protection for cargo. Personal preference and what the purpose behind having one will play a large part in selection of a pickup bed rug.
http://www.spray-onbedliners.com/http://www.bedliner.com/index.php
