What's been your experience with the above and hauling dirt, gravel, bark mulch, etc.

Is it harder to shovel the contents out with the "roughness" of a spray in liner? Does the shovel "hang" up on the stuff?

When it's really hot out, does it soften up any? Have a "tacky" feeling to it?

How about hauling firewood. Can you just toss the logs in and does it dent?

Thanks!

 

MitchF150,

I think my Line-X was well worth the money, for me.

The texture does not allow things to slide, yet you can shovel bark, sand, topsoil, etc. without any problem. You do need to sweep the dirt out to totally clean the bed, but that is no big deal.

You can dent the bed, I did that with a big rock, but firewood has not fazed it at all.

I've never noticed it getting "soft or tacky".

Unless you need a slippery bed, the spray-in is the way to go.

 

That's really interesting on the shovel side. I really figured it would hang up on the stuff.

Well, I guess the thing to do is take the current plastic liner out and see what is actually under it. I know the bed is pretty scratched up already. That's why the dealer I bought the truck from put the liner in the first place.

Thanks again.

Still looking for other experences with the spray ins!

 

I've got rhyno lining in both my F-150 and my full size Bronco. Sofar it has been great. I haven't been able to scratch it, but I did burn some of it while welding the roll cage in the Bronco. I dented the rhyno (and the bed) in my dad's F-150 when I dropped a differential into the bed, but it didn't effect the liner. I used to use the Bronco for geologic field work, 4 wheeling with large rock samples in the bed, but it never hurt the liner.

Mitch

 

Good info. It'll all go into my decision on what to do next.

Thanks again everyone!!

 

He was too easy to sway to the spray-ins... at least make it a challenge!

Ditto on the spray ins... you won't be happier!

-Joe-

 

I'm not ready to go out quite yet. Still need somemore 'vincing before I spend $400.

My drop in is doing pretty well so far. For me anyway.......

Keep 'em comin!

Thanks! (love this site!)

 

I want to echo the comment about the liner and no softening. I've had mine in now for 2 days and so it is still relatively fresh and most apt to soften if it could.

The truck sat outside today in direct sunlight, especially the bed, and I have a surface thermometer, so I measured the temp and it registered a whopping 115 F(I guess black does absorb heat.) . Was it soft. NO WAY! Hard as a rock.

Brought home 5 buckets of driveway sealer yesterday on it. Dropped two of them accidentally and one of them slid a bit. Did it harm the liner? No, but I noticed the liner actually tried to grip the plastic on the bottom of the bucket and ripped shreds of it away. Now that's testimony to durability.

 

I had a Rhino Lining (black) put in about 3 weeks after I bought the truck new in '99. I've hauled lumber, firewood, sand, lawn mowers, crates of glass (loaded with a fork lift)....it has handled all I've thrown at it with no problems. I've never had a one piece liner, so I can't really make a comparison. I had just heard bad things about rust and your load sliding around.

Few points:
1. I've noticed the liner has faded a bit since it was first put in. Used to be really shiny. Kind of dull now. I haven't ever really scrubbed it down...

2. SLIPPERY WHEN WET! I have almost busted my rear about a dozen times back there when washing the truck.

3. My installer said it has a lifetime warranty. He said the worst damage he had ever repaired was from an engine block (bowtie product? ) that wasn't lashed down.

4. I've been rear-ended twice (don't ask me, I think I drive normal)....the wreck that damaged the frame (truck box as well) got a bit sticky when it came to repairing the box. The body shop said that they were going to have to cut the bed to properly reseat the box . Then Bondo it back...oh and then try to get the Rhino guy to patch the lining. I calmly asked them to return my keys...my shirt tail didn't hit my rear as I exited the shop.

5. The price you mentioned seems high. I double checked on my invoice. It was about $300 (short bed).

Sorry for the length of the post...I'm a newbie....

 

Well, since my current bed liner is basically free, and I have not had any problems with it, I'm going to stick with it for awhile.

Thanks for all the advice and opinions so far. It sounds like the spray in liners are worth it and work really well. Even with the examples I listed.

I've still not lifted it to really see what is underneath, but not worried at all about the bed. It's a truck, and I haul alot of stuff with it. The bed is bound to get scratched and dented anyway.

Thanks again!

 

And consider this: The spray-in will tighten up your entire bed. The amount of lining, and the fact that everything back there is essentially bonded together as one, you'll notice immediately that your ride is much quieter, and you have fewer, if any, squeaks, twisting noises or shakes coming from back there. That drop in is noisy as hell, and moves and shakes over the smalled lumps in the road. I've had my Line-X for about a year now. I've hauled rock, a sofa, countless loads of mulch and topsoil, a pallet or two and a 'fridge.
No dings, dents or scratches. After hauling anything, I don't even have to bother to sweep. I just drop the gate and hose her out. You want shiny like new again? Douse with Armor All. (I use a bucket and string mop, just like I'm waxing a floor) Don't do this if you need to retain the non-skid properties!! But, man, does it look great. Best $378 I ever spent.

 

For all you guys with drop in bed liners, do yourselves a favor and pull them out and inspect your bed. You'll notice spots that are rubbing. Soon the paint will be gone and you'll have bare metal. If your going to stay with your drop in liner at least put down tape where your bed liner is rubbing.

 

Go with the Line-X. You won't regret it. I've had mine for 3 Years and it is cool to go. (hint) I tipped the guy doing the work $20 Bucks to spray it on extra thick. My liner is about 1/4" thick on the floor which of course makes it even more durable.

 

I am on my second Line-X bedliner, never had a problem with the first one.... haul alot of different stuff in it and pitchforked mulch out of it....

Have only had the second one 2 months now. For looks, nothing comes close.... also not slippery when wet.....

Just know that the Line-X process involves scuff-sanding the entire bed and spraying in the liner hot.

From what I have heard, the Rhino liner involves sanding to bare metal to prep for the liner, have no confirmation of that though....

Line-X guaranteed for life, you break it, they fix it. Pretty good guarantee. I agree, if you tip the guy, you'll get a better job done. Get an appointment in the morning (that way he won't be hurrying to get your truck done at the end of the day - sloppy).

I have a friend at the dealership... so I didn't have to tip him and he did a good job on the first one, and the second one is awesome.

 

I have found this to be helpful with my bedliner, keeps me from busting my butt in the bed when its wet... add a bed mat. Get a nice thick one from Penda. That sucker will keep stuff from sliding around and I guess it would work in a spray-in also. Helps add a bit more protection when "dropping" things in bed.