What to Look For in a Pickup Truck Bedliner

Cost, installation, and personal needs determine the right style and material for your truck.

James Tate | 

Sep 12, 2023 | 3 min read

GMC

The heart of a pickup truck's utility is its bed, but that open space can be a magnet for damage. Many new trucks, such as the 2023 GMC Canyon pictured, can be equipped with a bedliner from the factory. That being said, some trucks arrive from the factory wearing nothing but a couple coats of paint in the bed.

Whether you're changing out an older bedliner on a pre-owned truck or installing a new bedliner on truck that never had one, how do you choose between the many types of bedliners on the market?

The key is knowing what you ask from your truck. Commercial and work trucks see enough action and demand enough durability that a tougher, professionally installed spray-on liner may be worth the expense. However, those using their trucks for the occasional move may just need something to protect their pickup box when called upon.

Spray-on and Roll-on Bedliners Can Be Cost Effective

While some brand name, higher-end spray-ons can only be applied by technicians at a licensed franchise store or auto shop, many aerosol and roll-on liners are available for DIYers, making them cost-efficient choices.

The advantages of a roll-on liner versus a spray-on are in ease of use and overall cost. Though it can be easy to apply roll-on bedliners, that benefit can be somewhat dampened by needing to retouch some areas and the difficulty of covering some hard-to-reach spaces. But if you want the job done quickly and at minimum expense, this might be the option for you.

Spray-on and aerosol liners may run you a bit more, in part because you'll want to be sure you have enough material to cover the entire bed. As a plus, they provide a more consistent application the first time compared to roll-ons. Also, you can apply multiple coats if your truck's bed gets a lot of use.

Work trucks and those regularly hauling heavy cargo or tools may want to look into a professionally installed spray-on liner that comes with a warranty to cover damages.

Drop-In Bed Liners and Mats Can Protect Your Bed Easily

Drop-in liners are usually made to fit your specific truck, and installation is about as easy as snapping pieces together, with the occasional adhesive or screw needed. Another bonus is you'll save the time and trouble of sanding the bed as required for spray-on or roll-on liners.

If you're concerned about bed damage underneath your drop-in, there are protective mats made to place between the truck bed and liner. Some drop-ins feature rubber bed mats that are gentler on sensitive cargo, such as fine furniture.

If you only make the occasional furniture haul or supply run, a bed mat or rug is another option. Rugs that cover the entire bed can run as expensive as some spray-on options. While bed mats generally cost less, they leave the bed sides exposed.

A bed rug can be used with a drop-in or spray-on liner for an added layer of protection, both for your truck and its bed.

James Tate

James Tate has been writing about cars professionally for 15 years and he remains obsessed with them. He enjoys digging into the incredible technology of new vehicles as much as he likes the tactility and the driving experience of yesterday’s cars. He has written for a variety of legacy automotive magazines and websites.