Bedliners

KYCAMPER · 03-10-2015, 11:23 AM

Just got my new truck and I am looking at different bedliners. I currently have a 27DSRL TT but will probably upgrade to a 5th wheel later. I am looking for some feedback as to how difficult it is to remove the 5th wheel hitch if I want to haul cargo in the truck. Also is it feasible to install a bed mat/liner and trim it around the rails or whatever part of the hitch that is permanently installed in the bed of the truck? Anyone install a Dual Liner brand of bedliner in their truck?

KYCAMPER · 03-10-2015, 12:13 PM

Found a previous thread identical to this one. Spray-in seems to be the overwhelming choice.

**norty1** · 03-10-2015, 12:14 PM

Yes they never blow out!

clubhouse · 03-10-2015, 12:23 PM

IMO spray in liners are the only way to go. The quality of the liner has more to do with the prep than product so find a shop that does a lot and has a lot of happy customers.

In my area the auto body shops seem to do a better job than the Rhino and Line-X franchise guys who only do liners as fast as possible.

Also this the type of thing that is often cheaper when paid in cash. Very little material cost compared to labor, so mine was done off the books for ~25% less than retail since I paid in cash.

rryman · 03-10-2015, 12:56 PM

I got a F250 late last year with the factory installed pucks in the bed for the 5th wheel. Had a Line-X liner put in. The company here does a great job of putting them in.
As far as the 5th wheel, I bought the Reese adapter that fit in the pucks, then bought the Reese Elite 16k hitch. A two piece install/removal. It's lighter for me to put in two pieces rather than one heavy piece. This was quite a bit less money than going with a hitch that fit directly into the pucks.

RedHorse1 · 03-10-2015, 12:58 PM

I'll echo the opinions here. I had a Line-X sprayed in before the truck was a month old. I also have the Ford under-bed mounting for the hitch. No problems at all with my B&W OEM hitch. I expect none of the under-bed mounting systems would have an issue with a spray in liner.
BTW: What "club" says about where it's installed is spot on. My son had the dealer spray in a liner on his truck and he's taken it back twice for touch-ups. I had to drive 40mi 1 way to reach a Line-X dealer but I think the results were worth the trip.

oldmanAZ · 03-10-2015, 12:59 PM

I had Line-X sprayed before the 5th wheel brackets were installed. I've never taken the brackets out of my truck bed, but there have been several times I wish they weren't there.

There are a few manufacturers that have hitches that require just a hole in the middle of the bed. I don't know the price for those. But if you plan on hauling things in the bed and want the bed flat, I'd seriously consider one of those types.

A criticism I've heard about plastic drop-in bed liners is that the vibration will wear through the paint layers. You'll never know how bad it is until you take out the bed liner or it rusts through.

With the plastic in there it won't dry quickly and if you are unlucky enough to drive on salted winter roads, the salt residue could be trapped for a long time.

rryman · 03-10-2015, 05:36 PM

…………..I've heard about plastic drop-in bed liners is that the vibration will wear through the paint layers. You'll never know how bad it is until you take out the bed liner or it rusts through.
=============
You are absolutely correct about that statement above. Bought a used 95 Silverado that had a plastic bed liner in it. Got tired of the crap sliding around on the hard plastic so I took it out. Underneath, there were several places worn through to the metal bed, and a lot of places where it was worn down to the primer. Touched it up and put in a rubber mat I got at Tractor Supply. It worked well.

oldmanAZ · 03-10-2015, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rryman

...snip...Got tired of the crap sliding around on the hard plastic ...snip...

Oh YA. Big time! I forgot about that part.

We leased a Ford Ranger pickup with a plastic liner. Man would stuff travel from side to side and front to back! It was like a skating rink back there!

Seann45 · 03-11-2015, 08:33 AM

When I got my truck (Lease back) I pulled out the drop in bedliner.. you would not believe the cr*p that was under it. I pulled out 20 lbs of gravel. Bought a kit and sprayed in a bedliner myself.. been very happy with it..

Flapper · 03-11-2015, 09:41 AM

Seriously, check out "Bedrugs" Bedrug Bedliners, Truck Bedliners, Bedrugs, Truck Bed Liners, Cargo Van Mats BedRug - Next Generation Bedliner

Formed carpeting for the back. Costs the same as spray in liners. Kept in with heavy duty velcro, so you can take it in and out any time you want. Nothing slides around, ever. I cut "tabs" in mine that go over the spots on the rails where the 5th wheel hitch plugs in. Keep them down with velcro when the hitch isn't in the truck. Open them up when the hitch goes in. Would have preferred a no rail hitch system - which would have been even better with the rug, but costs/weight issues precluded that. As it is, while the rails make humps under the rug, it is smooth enough that most things (lumber, boxes, etc.) just move up and over the rails, rather than getting stuck on them. Between the velcro and the way it is formed to the bed, there is no possible way for it to leave the truck.
The material itself is VERY durable. Solid liquid proof back - I've spilled swimming pool chlorine (full strength) on it, as well as had a battery tip over and leak acid all over. Both not discovered for an hour or two. Just pulled out the rug and hosed it down (also baking soda for the acid). Actual truck bed was bone dry both times. Rug still looks totally new!
After 3 years, bed is still in perfect condition - because rug allows a bit of air to get in around it's edges, moisture does not build up under it.
The only down side: I wouldn't ever haul sand or gravel (or similar) with it in - too hard to get the last bits out with a broom or shovel, have to pull the rug out and shake it. Does need vacuuming after a run to the compost dump with the fall leaves. And after a rain, if the truck does not have a cover/topper, the rug is about as squishy wet as you would expect. Dries pretty fast, though.
My knees thank me every time I get into the bed to do something....

Flapper · 03-11-2015, 09:52 AM

As to hitch removal - it all depends! I have a Reese 16K hitch that allows the head to be removed from the base. Both parts then are pretty easy to take out of the truck. The mounting rails are left behind, but with my bedrug, they are much less of a problem than I thought they would be. Bigger hitches, especially sliders, may not be so user friendly. Some weigh an awful lot, many don't come apart, at least easily. There are schemes where I've seen people leave the hitch hitched to the fifth, then pull the mounting pins out from the bed of the truck. They then drive the truck out from under the hitch, leaving it hanging off the pin on the fifth. Not something I would do, but others seem to think it is OK....

SouthCo · 03-11-2015, 09:53 AM

I've had Line-X on all three trucks I have owned. I've never had an issue. On my current truck I have an OEM GMC rubber bed mat on top of the Line-X.

rryman · 03-11-2015, 10:01 AM

I've heard of leaving the hitch attached to the trailer also. I considered getting a small chain hoist for the garage where I could back under it and raise the hitch.
As it is, the hitch arrangement I have it light enough to handle--now.

RedHorse1 · 03-11-2015, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rryman

I've heard of leaving the hitch attached to the trailer also. I considered getting a small chain hoist for the garage where I could back under it and raise the hitch.
As it is, the hitch arrangement I have it light enough to handle--now.

I've used my shop crane (engine hoist) to remove the hitch but since the B&W breaks down into 2 pieces it's just as easy to grunt them in/out by hand.

Seann45 · 03-11-2015, 05:28 PM

TIP 5er drivers.. leave the hitch attached to the 5th wheel pin (locked) undo the QR holding the hitch to the truck bed and drive away.. No lifting needed.

Higgy · 03-11-2015, 07:58 PM

quite like that idea Sean.

Quahog · 03-12-2015, 05:38 AM

I'll echo what Redhorse1 said... the B&W with the Ford puck system is the way to go. The hitch breaks down EASILY and can be lifted out without breaking your back. Once you remove the base, the entire bed is just like it came from the factory. It's very easy, quick, not too heavy, and the hitch itself performs flawlessly. I couldn't be happier with this setup.

troutslayer · 03-13-2015, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KYCAMPER

Anyone install a Dual Liner brand of bedliner in their truck?

I have one and like it a lot. The side panels come in 3 pieces and are custom fit to my truck (plus a plastic panel for the tailgate). The bed liner is a rubber material like what tires are made of. It was not easy to cut to fit around the 5er hitch rails but can be done. Unless things have changed the company says they will work with you if you sell your truck and just need a new rubber liner to replace the one used to go around the hitch rails. The rubber mat is great cuz nothing, and I mean nothing, slides around.
I just got back off a 3 day fishing trip without my tonneau cover on the bed. It rained hard all three days and I was worried about water under the rubber bed liner so I took it up the day after I got back and it was dry as a bone can be. If I ever buy another truck, I'll purchase the Dual Liner again.

Witt74 · 03-13-2015, 10:31 PM

Purchased my F250 new in May 2006. About a month later, purchased a Bed Rug liner for it. Trimmed the Bedrug around the hitch rails for the fifth wheel hitch and installed. Now 2015, Bedrug holding up vert well, even with constant exposure to sun and all other south Mississippi weather. Have not hauled sand or gravel, but have hauled everything from lumber to concrete blocks. Well satisfied with this product, and is indeed easy on the knees

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