What Is a Bed Liner for a Truck?
A bed liner, one of the more common truck additions, provides a layer of protection for the cargo area’s floor and, frequently, sides, preventing scratches and dings. Options for truck bed liners range from basic rubber mats to more complex drop-in HDPE custom truck beds.
Do You Need a Truck Bed Liner?
Yes, if you want to protect your truck bed from damage, cracks, and scratches, you’ll need a bed liner. A bed liner for your truck helps to protect its value. The majority of the items you load into a vehicle’s cargo room have the potential to damage the truck bed. Fixing loads in place with a mix of tie-downs and straps can help to prevent the damage caused by moving loads. However, as goods slide around a truck bed and bounce off the walls, they damage and dent the cargo area surfaces.
What Are the Different Types of Truck Bed Liners?
When it comes to protecting your truck bed, you have several options to consider, but one stands out from the rest. Let’s break down each option so you can see why HDPE ends up being the most popular material:
- Carpet mats, often called bed mats. These give your truck bed a softer, more comfortable surface that’s easier on your knees when loading and unloading. But keep in mind that these liners absorb moisture, trap dirt, and offer zero protection against heavy impacts.
- Rubber mats – These may seem like a budget-friendly solution at first glance. These flexible mats sit on the floor of your truck bed and do a good job of preventing scratches from sliding cargo. But here’s the problem – they only cover the floor, leaving your side walls completely exposed to dents. Even worse, they tend to shift during transport, which ends up leaving other areas of the bed unprotected.
- Drop-in Liner — This brings us to HDPE drop-in liners, the perfect middle ground that beats all other options. These high-density polyethylene shells provide complete coverage for your entire bed—floor, walls, and tailgate. Unlike rubber mats, they stay firmly in place. Unlike carpet liners, they’re impervious to moisture and incredibly easy to clean. And unlike spray-on liners, they’re removable in case you need to access your pristine truck bed from underneath.
- Spray-on liners represent the high-end of the market. Products like these offer good protection with their permanent polyurethane coating, but they come with significant drawbacks. Once applied, you’re stuck with them—any damage means repainting the entire bed. They’re also the most expensive option by far, often costing twice as much as an HDPE liner. And unless you’re getting a professional application, DIY kits often peel or fade over time.
Comparing HDPE to Other Bed Liner Options
See the table below for a detailed comparison of bed liner alternatives for your truck.
| Liner Type | Protection Level | Durability | Cost | Best For |
| HDPE Drop-In | Full bed & walls | 10+ years | 250–250–500 | Heavy-duty use, best value |
| Spray-On | Permanent coating | Lifetime | 400–400–900 | High-end protection, but costly |
| Rubber Mat | Floor only | 3–5 years | 50–50–230 | Light-duty, budget option |
| Carpet Mat | Floor only | 2–4 years | 110–110–180 | Soft cargo, not for heavy use |
What Is the Best Material for a Truck Bed Liner?
After considering all options, Legacy HDPE drop-in HDPE liners are the clear winner for truck bed protection. They provide unrivaled durability, full-coverage defense, and easy maintenance—all for a fraction of the cost of spray-on competitors. While spray-on liners are permanent but expensive, and rubber mats are inexpensive but insufficient, Legacy HDPE liners find the ideal balance: they are durable enough for heavy-duty use, cost-effective, and built to last.
For more information about our products and services, please contact us directly at Tel: 307-391-0731.
