I always say, “A truck without a bedliner is like a foot without a sock”. This is even more true if your Silverado does’t have a tonneau cover. I am sure you have all seen how unattractive a worn and damaged truck bed looks, right? Yeah, well the best way to prevent your new truck looking like an old beater is with the help of a new bed-liner. There is a massive variety of bedliners available on the market, and choosing the right one for you can prove a daunting task.
Not to worry, we are here to assist you in making that all important decision. Read on to learn about the different types available and the advantages of each. What works for one person, might not for another. Anyway, without further adieu, here we go.
What is a truck bedliner?
A truck bed liner is a product that shields the inner side of a truck bed from damage. It can also create a skid-resistant surface allowing cargo to stay in place, depending on the circumstances. From sun damage, water damage and general scuffs and scratches from using your truck bed, there are plenty of ways for your Silverado’s bed to become worn out looking. A decent bedliner will help prevent this.
There are many types of bedliner available, ranging from rubber, plastic, carpet and spray-on. Each type has their own advantages and disadvantages.
What are the main types of bedliners for my Silverado?
Drop-in BedLiner
Drop-in bed liners are typically made from plastic and are moulded to fit securely on the inside of the truck’s bed by drilling holes and fastening the bed liner with bolts. A high quality drop-in bed-liner will provide an exact fit for you Silverado bed.
There are a few options to choose from when buying a drop-in liner. For instance, you can decide if you want a liner that will just cover the floor, or one that will cover both the sides and floor of the bed.
The main advantage of drop-in liners is that they are relatively affordable, hence the reason they are so common. It is a common occurrence for truck drivers to remove or replace the bed-liner when it is time to sell their truck, leaving a well preserved truck bed.
Drop-in liners are typically thicker than spray-on liners, and therefore can offer better protection. The hard plastic of these makes it safe to load large heavy objects, whilst protecting your Chevy from damage.
To ensure the best fit, I recommend sourcing a drop-in bed liner straight from the Chevy dealer. There are also aftermarket ones available, like the one below. This is one which I personally have had experience with and know that it is a good fit.
Penda Bed Liner for Chevy Silverado / GMC Sierra
- Skid resistant top stops cargo from sliding around the truck bed.
- Under the rail fitment (perfect if you plan to fit a tonneau cover.
- Molded in board holders offers two tier and compartmental loading.
- No-drill installation keeps your truck original.
- Comes with tailgate cover and bolts.
- Much cheaper alternative to spray-on liners.
Truck Bed Rugs
My all time favourite type of bed-liner is the Bed Rug. This has always been my first choice when looking for a bed-liner for a Silverado.
BedRugs look like carpet and are soft to touch, but thy are made from plastic fibers. The under-padding is made from a closed-cell foam, which is great for kneeling on. They are 100% waterproof, and can be easily cleaned with a hose or pressure washer. I have found that giving it a quick wash with soapy water and blasting it with the pressure washer will remove just about any spills or stains.
It is important to choose the correct model when purchasing a BedRug, as each one is molded to fit perfectly into the bed of your Silverado. The under-padding is shaped to sit between the ribs on the floor, giving a smooth surface. Any BedRug I have owned was a perfect fit everywhere, including up the bed-walls and over the wheel wells.
BedRug Bed liner for Chevy Silverado
- Designed specifically to fit the contours of your vehicle
- Rugged construction handles heavy cargo.
- Features a durable carpet-like surface that resists water, stains, solvents and chemicals.
- Molded foam backing helps protect the bed from scratches.
- Anti-skid surface prevents cargo from shifting
- Features embroidered Chevy Bowtie logo.
- Installation is simple and quick.
Truck Bed Mats
Bed mats are the most affordable option for your Silverado. They are used on the surface of your truck bed to prevent scratches and damage that occur due to loading and unloading or goods shifting during transport.
A good heavy duty bed mat will provide great protection for the bed floor, but obviously does not protect the sides of the bed. They are a great cheap way to cover up a damaged truck bed to make it look more appealing.
In my opinion, these are the bare minimum that your Chevy should have., even if it is just to protect your truck from weather damage. I have had a few different types of bed mats over the years, but I feel the best on the market is the DeeZee range.
DEEZEE Heavyweight Bed-mat
- Extra Thick 9.52mm Rubber Compound Construction
- Prevents Cargo From Shifting and Damaging Your Truck Bed
- Highly Compressed Rubber Resists Abrasions, Tears, Cracking and Fuel Spills
- Custom Fit Application Contours Around Wheel Wells For A Perfect Fit
- Rubber Material Deflects UV Rays To Reduce Fading
- The most affordable way to protect your truck bed
Spray On BedLiners
The last type of bed liner that we are going to talk about is spray on bed liners. These are a permanent option for your truck bed. As the name suggests, spray on liners work by spraying polyurethane elastomer directly onto the bed.
This means that this type of liner does not allow any water, dirt or other damaging items to get trapped between the bed and the liner. They also can’t break or fall out, as drop-in liners can. The durability and overall performance of a spray-on bed liner depends on the truck bed’s initial surface preparation.
Spray-on liners have a gritty non-slip texture. This makes them perfect for preventing cargo from sliding around on the truck bed. They are also arguably the best looking liner as they do nut add bulk to the truck bed.
The only real downfall of the spray-on liner is the price. I always recommend getting a garage or main dealer to apply them, just to make sure it is done right. This will obviously add to the price, but ensures optimum protection from water and dirt.
If you do decide to attempt this on your own, it is important to choose a high quality product similar to what the manufacturers use. The one below is probably the best available on the market. Be sure to watch some tutorial videos on YouTube prior to application. You will notice that there is a lot of preparation work involved.
U-Pol Products Raptor Black Silverado Bed Liner Kit
- Scratch and stain resistant protection for your truck bed.
- Helps deaden sounds and vibrations while driving.
- UV Resistant means that it will not fade.
- Rapid drying – Spray the 2nd coat within an hour.
- Can also be applied with a brush.
- Non slip surface when dried.
Overall Summary
Well, hopefully if you have made it this far the you a have gained some valuable information that will help you choose the best Bed Liner for your Chevy Silverado. As you can see, choosing the right type really depends on your needs and how you will be using your truck.
Have a look at our Interior, Exterior and Performance sections for more awesome product reviews.
Like I said above, the BedRug is my personal favourite. I like the carpet look, while still giving maximum protection, at a reasonable price.
Regardless of which one you choose, a bed liner is important for the protection of your truck. Install one today and protect the paint while enjoying the full working capabilities of your Chevy.
And remember, Keep on Truckin’ Mother Truckers!