Introduction
A drop-in pickup truck bed liner is designed to be placed on the flatbed and many go up around the sides of your pickup truck in order to prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt and any other substances that could be damaging to the truck bed. A quality drop-in truck bed liner will also keep your load stationary, preventing slips and slides during sharp turns. When you combine a truck bed liner with a truck bed cover or a tonneau cover, you get the ultimate pickup cargo arsenal, but if there is one weak link, then your load could be spread across the highway, torn, drenched, and unsalvageable.
A lot of truck bed liners promise stability and durability, a promise they ultimately fail to keep. The aim of this article is to guide you towards the best drop-in truck bed liners by presenting you with the top five most popular ones for sale on the market today. Here they are.
Contents
Top 5 Drop-In Truck Bed Liners
Ranking |
Image |
Product |
Overall Rating |
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1. Read The Full Review |
(4.5 / 5) View Now On Amazon |
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2. Read The Full Review |
Penda 63016SRX Bed Liner | (4.3 / 5) View Now On Amazon |
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3. Read The Full Review |
Bedrug Bed Mat BMX00D fits 66″ X 98″ UNIVERSAL UNIVERSAL SIZE – You cut to fit |
(4 / 5) View Now On Amazon |
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4. Read The Full Review |
(4 / 5) View Now On Amazon |
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5. Read The Full Review |
(4 / 5) View Now On Amazon |
Dee Zee Heavyweight Bed Mat
Consumer Ratings (4.5 / 5)
Despite what some auto nuts will tell you, decent equipment for your pickup truck doesn’t have to set you back hundreds. Although it sells for a fraction of the cost of some of its competitors, the Dee Zee Heavyweight Bed Mat offers many of the same features and requires only a caring hand to continue performing for years on end.
Features
- Extra thick rubber compound construction
- Custom fit applications
- Rubber cleats
Pros
The Dee Zee Heavyweight Bed Mat boasts highly compressed rubber construction, which minimizes the risk of any damage coming to the product. It is resistant to UV rays, tears, and even fuel spills
If you don’t want to drain your bank account for a quality truck bed liner, the Dee Zee Heavyweight Bed Mat is the way to go. Despite its many features and durability, it sells for under $100, making it the most affordable item on this list.
Cons
Dee Zee customers often complain that the brand is lacking in its quality control, which isn’t an entirely unjustified gripe. While the actual performance of the Heavyweight Bed Mat is nothing less than stellar, many have reported receiving their product with brown splotches and scrapes strewn across its exterior.
What Consumers Say about Dee Zee Bed Mats
- I’m very pleased with this mat. I purchased a used F-150 and it had a bare truck bed. Groceries and everything else just slid around so I wanted to get a truck mat.
- It was super pleased that this is a heavy duty mat. Great quality and very thick. It fit my 2013 Ford F-150 like a glove.
- Excellent product. It fit my 5.5′ bed like a glove. It’s VERY grippy.
- I purchased this for two reasons. To protect my truck bed and to avoid having my kids strollers rolling all around on the metal bed. The mat was a nice weight and fit perfect. It was installed within two quick minutes. The weight of the mat is also perfect. It doesn’t want to unroll into a mess. The Dee Zee mat also fit my 2008 ford f150 lariat 5.5 bed perfect.
Summary
There are one or two issues with the Dee Zee Heavyweight Bed Mat, sure, but they are seriously outweighed by the product’s pros. When you purchase this truck bed liner, you are pretty much guaranteeing the safety of your luggage for many hundreds of miles to come. Obviously, it won’t last you quite as long as some of the more expensive truck bed liners out there, but one purchase of the Dee Zee Heavyweight Bed Mat now and a second purchase in five years will likely still cost less than a single purchase of a more high-end alternative.
View Dee-Zee Bed Mats on Amazon
Penda Pendaliner SR
Consumer Ratings (4.3 / 5)
The Penda Pendaliner SR takes us to the other end of the price spectrum altogether. This particular truck bed liner generally sells for a little over $200; some would say it’s worth it, some would say it’s not. Read on and decide for yourself if this is the best truck bed liner for you or if you should take your search elsewhere.
Features
- Weight of 30 pounds
- Installation kit
- No-drill installation
Pros
The Pendaliner SR boasts a number of molded-in board holders to increase the stability of your cargo by holding each item in a specific position. This is a feature not often seen on truck bed liners and is virtually impossible to find on budget alternatives.
The Penda Pendaliner SR comes with pre-cut holes for LED lights, so you won’t have to worry about it endangering you or your fellow motorists when you’re driving at night.
Cons
The main issue with the Penda Pendaliner SR is its fit. While it isn’t awfully loose, the fit could be a lot snugger in certain areas.
What Consumers Say about Penda Bed Liners
- I have seen in prior reviews issues reported with the holes not matching up on the tailgate but for my 2017 F150 the holes lined up perfectly. Install went off without a hitch and very happy with my choice. I would recommend this product for anyone looking for a reasonably priced bed liner.
- I like it. Super easy to install. Basically fit. Only downside was not pre-drilled for the 3 holes on the tailgate inside used for tailgate extender cage. Also not pre-drilled for the hole in the tailgate for tailgate extender support rod. Easy to resolve and drill through tho.
- Fits pretty well! Does the job. The instructions provided aren’t the best. They have a YouTube video that really helps. It’s a lot easier to do with 2 people. Great price! I can’t imagine a more expensive drop-in being any better.
Summary
If you’re willing to carry out the alterations needed to give the Penda Pendaliner SR a tighter fit, you will enjoy the many benefits of molded in-board holders, a skid-resistant underbody, and no-drill installation made all the easier by the comprehensive installation kit Penda throws in with every purchase.
View Penda Bed Liners on Amazon
BedRug Truck Bed Mat
Consumer Ratings (4 / 5)
The BedRug Mat from the good folks over at BedRug is slightly more expensive than the Dee Zee Heavyweight Bed Mat, but it’s still a great choice for thrifty truckers who are trying to limit the amount of cash they drop on their chosen truck bed liner.
Features
- Slip- and skid-resistant fiber
- Waterproof
- Weight of 11 pounds
Pros
The BedRug Mat comes fitted with a patented hook and loop fastener, which allows it to be attached to the flatbed of almost any truck with ease.
If you live in the USA, you’ll no doubt appreciate the fact that the BedRug Mat is manufactured in the country. This means a purchase of this truck bed liner will stimulate the American economy and increase the job stability of American BedRug employees.
Cons
A common problem with the BedRug Mat is its size. Those who purchase it often find themselves having to cut the mat in order to trim it down to a size small enough to fit comfortably inside their flatbed.
What Consumers Say about the Bedrug Bed Mat
- The factory bedliner in my new 2017 Silverado High Country “High Desert” special edition was slick and hard on the knees. I could not find a regular fit option, so I ordered this one. It was very easy to cut to the size I needed, looks great, and is soft enough that I could sleep on it!
- Great product, it is perfect for its intended use. They do not have a precut version for my truck (which I have purchased previously) so I bought this.
- I have a F150 2002 with goofy sized bed. (Wider at the cab than at the tailgate) The Universal Bedrug to the rescue. Super easy to cut, Lightweight and comfortable. I installed it so I could lay on it to install my Tonno Pro Hard Fold.
Summary
If you don’t mind a little bit of DIY prior to the actual installation process, you really can’t go wrong with the BedRug Mat. Once it has been literally cut down to size and fitted to your flatbed, the chances of it giving you any problems are slim to none.
View Bedrug Truck Bed Mats on Amazon
Dura-Liner Truck Bed Liner
Consumer Ratings (4 / 5)
If you’re the kind of pickup truck driver who refuses to fit their pickup truck with anything less than the absolute finest, you’re going to want to pay careful attention to the Dura-Liner Truck Bed Liner. Its price is a little high, yes, but for the money you are expected to pay you receive what is arguably the most well-rounded and consistent truck bed liner on the market today. Let’s take a look at some of the things it has to offer.
Features
- Weight of 35 pounds
- Resistant to gasoline and other chemicals
Premium skid resistance
Pros
The Dura-Liner 6.6’ Truck Bed Liner is designed to cling to the flatbed of your truck, fitting all bumps and crevices like a glove. This gives the liner superior waterproofing capabilities as it causes all water that may fall on the sheet to roll off it, preventing the accumulation of rainwater while you drive.
Because of its high price, the folks over on the Dura-Line design team were able to take some extra measures to make the Dura-Liner 6.6’ Truck Bed Liner as durable as possible. It boasts what is described by Dura-Liner as being a “deep, rich, UV protected finish,” which makes it practically impervious to the rays of the sun. This is a great choice for pickup truck owners who live in or frequently visit warm climates.
Cons
Obviously, the Dura-Liner 6.6’ Truck Bed Liner isn’t a great choice for pickup truck owners who have to stick to a tight budget. It generally sells for $225 or thereabouts, making it the most expensive truck bed liner on this list.
What Consumers Say about the Duraliner Bed Liner
- Fits in really well, should protect the bed from getting beat up. I wish it have some pockets for lighting and a switch.
- It fit perfect and was easy to install truck looks awesome love it. Well worth the money.
- One of the best bed liners I’ve had and I have owned several trucks for the past 4 decades.
Summary
While it is understandable that you would be turned off by the high price of the Dura-Liner 6.6’ Truck Bed Liner, it should be pointed out that your money will get you a plethora of features pretty much entirely unavailable in the lower end of the price range. Plus, when you buy from Dura-Liner, you get a level of peace of mind that is only attainable through buying from an industry leader. Dura-Liner is arguably the best truck bed liner manufacturer in business today and the Dura-Liner 6.6’ Truck Bed Liner is arguably its best offering.
View Details about Duraliner Bed Liners on Amazon
Rugged Liner Under-Rail Bed Liner
Consumer Ratings (4 / 5)
The Rugged Liner Under-Rail Bed Liner tends to sell for just less than the Dura-Liner 6.6’ Truck Bed Liner, so readers with smaller budgets will probably have to take their search elsewhere. If you do have the money to spend, however, the Rugged Liner Under-Rail Bed Liner is the way to go. This is a product from one of the most popular names in the truck bed liner industry today. In fact, Rugged Liner has carved out a reputation for itself as one of the premiere manufacturers of tonneau and truck bed covers as well, so you could conceivably deck out your entire pickup truck without ever having to change brands.
Features
- Front rail protection
- Skid-resistant floors
- Durable polyethylene construction
Pros
Although the Rugged Liner Under-Rail Bed Liner is a little bit pricier than most would like, it does offer slightly more protection than other truck bed liners. When you purchase this particular product, you will get both a cover for your flatbed and a cover for your tailgate. The latter is something that is not offered by a lot of truck bed liners and the lack of one can lead to the inside of your tailgate being damaged, particularly if you stock your flatbed to the brim.
Rugged Liner has been in the truck bed liner game for a while, so it’s no wonder that it’s pretty confident in its ability to provide quality products to all of its customers. In fact, Rugged Liner is so confident in the superiority and durability of the Under-Rail Bed Liner that it offers a limited-lifetime warranty with every purchase, so you’ll always have something to fall back on should something go wrong.
Cons
The major drawback of the Rugged Liner Under-Rail Bed Liner—other than its price—is the customer service, or lack thereof, provided by Rugged Liner. While the limited lifetime warranty offered with this product is extremely generous, it can be a bit of a challenge to invoke. According to some unsatisfied Rugged Liner customers, the brand will conduct a full investigation into your case before offering a repair or replacement, which could take weeks, even months, to complete.
What Consumers Say about the Rugged Under Rail Bed Liner
- Cooool —Perfect fit, piece of cake, dropped right in, used a 4-ft wood 2″x4″ to push the flaps into place under the rails. 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LS, now to get the tail-gate piece.
- It fit perfect and was easy to install. Well worth the money.
- I’ve had my bed liner for 5 months now and haven’t had a problem.
- Its a good product, but there customer service is not so great, it took a couple months to get a replacement part, that I was willing to pay for!
Summary
Although Rugged Liner’s customer service leaves a lot to be desired, the chances of you ever actually having to invoke the limited lifetime warranty included with this product are pretty slim. The Rugged Liner Under-Rail Bed Liner is expertly designed and is sure to last you years on end when properly maintained.
It will protect both your flatbed and your tailgate, ensuring no damage comes to either or the load that you store on/in it. The installation process in relatively easy, so if you have a lot of money and not a lot of free time, this truck bed liner should be at the very top of your shopping list.
View More about Rugged Bed Liners on Amazon
Final word
If you love your pickup truck, and we’re sure you do, the last thing you want to do is fit it with subpar tools and equipment. Any of the truck bed liners we examined in this article would be a great addition to your pickup truck arsenal, so it really comes down to a matter of your budget and your personal preferences.
If you want to keep costs down, the BedRug Mat is the way to go. For just over $100, it will give you the kind of security and durability you would expect from a far more expensive alternative. The Dee Zee Heavyweight Bed Mat will give you just the same for even less, but the brand has to be docked some marks due to its issues with quality control.
If you have a lot of money to play around with, we say go with the Dura-Liner 6.6’ Truck Bed Liner. Yes, it’s the most expensive truck bed liner on this list, but not without good reason. If you frequently use your pickup truck to transport goods and luggage, consider the Dura-Liner 6.6’ Truck Bed Liner an investment and maybe even an essential.