To Drop In or Spray On

At some point, virtually every truck owner reaches a crossroad — whether to drop-in or spray-on a bedliner. This seemingly small decision will determine how your truck ages, how you can use the bed and how the vehicle will look for years to come.

A spray-on liner is a watertight, airtight sealant (often made of urethane) that is applied to the bed of your truck. A drop-in liner is like a protective case for an iPhone. It is typically a robust and rigid cover that attaches to the truck bed. You can add each of the two types of liners to a truck yourself, or have them professionally installed.

The Internet is full of articles that dissect the pros and cons of each option, but it's much more difficult to find a piece that helps you choose by lifestyle. That's why we created a list of five "I" statements to help you think about what you need. Read through them to learn which option might best fit your truck and your life.

1. "I plan to sell my truck in a few years."

Consider: Drop-In

A spray-on liner is a more notable delegation than a drop-in. The person you trade the truck to might want the liberty to make up his or her mind about the bedliner. If you use a drop-in, you can remove it when you're ready to trade the vehicle.

2. "I go to the beach all the time."

Consider: Spray-On

Sand and water can go into the diminutive passage between your truck and the drop-in liner. Sand may scrape away the paint below. Water can gather and possibly lead to corrosion. A spray-on coating prevents this problem by forming a virtually impenetrable bond with your vehicle. Sand and water won't have anyplace to hide.

 3. "I often transport heavy or sharp objects in my truck."

Consider: Drop-In

Spray-on liners are incredibly dense, but they tend to be thinner than drop-in alternatives. Heavy or sharp objects can cause gouges or scratches in your coating that might be better protected by the thicker drop-in option. Keep in mind, it's possible to break a drop-in bed liner, but the force required is significant.

4. "I want to add a liner without adding extra weight or noise to my truck."

Consider: Spray-On

Spray-on bedliners tend to be lighter than drop-ins, especially models that are deep. And, since a drop-in is something you attach, it's possible to hear it vibrate against the truck body when you drive. It's a minimal amount of potential noise, but it will be louder than a spray-on bed liner.

5. "I want something that's easy to install."

Consider: Drop-In

Although "easy" is a idiosyncratic term, antagonists of spray-on bed liners make a good case against this option. Although it can be sprayed, wiped or rolled on, it takes longer to fit the surface of the truck for spray-on versions. If you misapply it, it might peel. And, if you spill it in the wrong area, the spray-on liner's ability to firmly stick to your truck can turn into a glum. Although they require some manual labor, drop-ins don't have the same issues and can be easier to install.

Ultimately, you're the greatest judge of what manages for you. With the advances in spray-on technology, the playing field is pretty level when it comes to truck bed liners, and we urge you to investigate both choices. One easy way to take a look at the different options is to search for a truck using "bed liner" as a keyword. And if a bed liner is only one of the ways you want to improve your truck, check out "ArmorThane."