Benefits of Having a Truck Bed Liner
In order to extend the lifespan of a truck bed, dump trucks and 18-wheelers need to have a liner. If either vehicle comes without one, it is a wise investment. As the name suggests, it creates an extra layer to prevent early damage to the truck bed. There are several available options, each with its pros and cons. However, the aim is to help move the cargo efficiently while keeping the back of the truck in optimum condition. Read on to find out the types and benefits of truck bed liners.
The Different Types of Truck Bed Liners
Knowing the options you have will help you make an informed decision concerning the best truck bed liner for you.
You may need to consider the following items when choosing a liner:
• The weight of the cargo or load
• Frequency of using the truck
• The size and shape of the items
• Exposure to harsh weather conditions
UHMW Liners
UHMW stands for ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. It is extremely tough, dense plastic with high abrasion and wear resistance. It is ideal for lining dump truck beds with a very slick surface to make the truckloads pour easily. They can carry virtually any load - stone, glass, ash, dirt, lime, gravel etc. They can be UV stabilized to protect from the elements and they are custom fit to the truck in order to have optimal protection.
HMW Liners
HMW stands for High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, a plastic that offers incredible durability and flexibility. These liners are designed with added ultraviolet (UVI) and internal lubricants, which generally enhance their performance and endurance. The addition of UVI can protect the material from exposure to sunlight or harsh weather conditions, and the internal lubricants reduce friction and make the liners easier to handle.
HMW liners are considered to be medium duty, and are an excellent entry level liner for most loads. While are incredibly resistant to cuts and abrasions, it’s important to remember they are not as strong as their Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) counterparts.
Drop-in Liners
These plastic liners are quite inexpensive, making them convenient for any truck. As the name suggests, they can be easily fixed and removed when needed. Since the material is plastic, there is no welding needed to hold the liner in place. It can be bolted securely, ensuring no loose corners or unmatched edges. However, it is essential to ensure that the truck bed and liner is measured correctly for perfect alignment. Manufacturers make these liners according to vehicle brand and model. Any gaps can result in damage to the exposed areas.
These liners are easy to clean and last long. They can handle various items without harming your truck bed. Ensure they are high-quality products that can sustain the weight of heavy things. Note that plastic liners can get hot if the truck is in the sun for many hours. This may result in cracking, which creates gaps for moisture to seep below the surface.
Spray-in Liners
If a permanent option is needed, a spray-in liner should work for the dump truck or 18-wheeler. This is a layer sprayed directly onto the truck bed to prevent chemical corrosion. Therefore, the liner cannot be removed once installed. The installation process requires expert assistance to achieve a perfect protection layer.
When these liners are applied, the truck has to have enough time to cure. Once the installation is complete, you can use the truck for many years without worrying about the bed. The spray-in liners also protect the value of the vehicle as long as you choose the best installer and chemical brand.
Rubber Liners
Rubber liners are also great, inexpensive alternatives.The moldable rubber installs to fit the truck bed and then needs some time to dry. While it is not as effective as the spray-in and drop-in liners, rubber also protects the truck bed from moisture and the impact of heavy items. Its elasticity helps to absorb the shock of the items being carried.
Since rubber is not absorbent, anything that spills on the liner will not affect the truck bed. This is ideal for dump truck beds. Therefore, water, soap, and a brush will clean any marks or spills on the surface. It is worth considering that the rubber can tend to get very hot in the summer.
Benefits Of Truck Bed Liners
Keeping Away Weather Elements
The bed liner is an excellent way to ensure that weather elements do not affect the truck bed. This is very important especially for dump truck beds which generally do not have a roof cover. If you get a spray-in liner or a drop-in that fully covers the bed, you can be sure of complete protection. The layer allows the water to flow away from the bed without getting absorbed by the vehicle's paint. The work of the paint is to protect the metal underneath it from rusting. Therefore, when you keep away the moisture, you provide an extra layer that ensures the vehicle remains in top-notch shape.
Additionally, extreme weather like storms and hail will only affect the liner without harming the bed. Therefore, in case of any damage, you can schedule repairs for the liner, which is cheaper than repairing a dented truck bed.
Prevent Scratch and Dents
If the truck is used to ferry heavy items like work machines, timber, or furniture, you may encounter scratches and denting when the items move. It is almost impossible to prevent scratching unless you tie the luggage to a specific point. Nevertheless, the loading and unloading process poses the same risk, especially if the things are heavy.
Instead of damaging the bed's paint job and shape, you need a reliable liner that will absorb all that friction, motion, and hitting. Depending on the type of liner you install, you can even prevent constant movement in transit. This way, you will ensure no harm to the paint and truck's surface.
Any scratches or damage to the liner is easy to fix, unlike repairing the damage to the truck. When the liner seems worn out, you can quickly replace it with a new one, leaving the truck safe and in good condition. Repairing or replacing a liner is also cheaper than restoring a damaged truck bed to its original form.
Non-slip Surface
Spray-in liners provide a non-slip surface that prevents the cargo from constantly sliding from side to side when in transit. Therefore, you can keep fragile goods safe from damage when transporting them. It also makes the truck stable since the items will not keep shifting from one end to the next, especially when traveling on rough terrain.
Additionally, the surface protects the bed from the impact caused when things hit the sides of the truck. Even when there are sharp corners, there won't be multiple dents to repair on the bed or liner.
Easy to Clean
Maintaining a truck with a bed liner is much simpler than maintaining one without. Since the layer prevents dirt and chemicals from getting to the bed's surface, cleaning becomes easier. Most liners do not give difficulty removing the dirt and spills on the surface. Therefore unwanted substances will easily wash off without worrying about peeling off the truck's paint.
However, ensure there are suitable substances when cleaning. Carpet liners may require more scrubbing than the rest, and wood liners are not a friend of water. Therefore, picking the best bed liner will save the headache of damaging the truck bed. There will be no expert assistance needed to remove any stains.
UV Protection
If the 18 wheeler or dump truck is frequently in a very hot area during the summer, UV damage can be a real issue. The sun's UV rays can cause the paint to fade faster than usual, thus causing the truck to look old. Therefore, in business, if your company seems to be using an old vehicle, it can influence the confidence of your customers.
The paint job may also crack and peel off, exposing the metallic structure. This also makes the truck lose its value and beauty. When this happens to the truck bed, multiple paint jobs may be needed to keep it looking good. However, with a liner in place, you can keep the original paint by allowing the layer to absorb all the UV rays.
Customization
When installing a bed liner, you can ensure it fits the truck perfectly without leaving any gaps. The spray-in liner aligns with all the surfaces, ensuring the entire place remains protected. However, even if you use the other drop-in and carpet liners, you can also fit the liner to match the size of the vehicle. This will prevent moisture and dirt from getting between the spaces or the liner coming off.
Depending on the liner installed, you can paint the back of the truck to match the rest of the body. This way there will be uniformity.
Conclusion
You can see that having a truck liner is essential for giving the 18-wheeler or dump truck an extended lifespan. All these perks will improve the experience and prevent damage to the truck and cargo. Nevertheless, there needs to be skilled personnel to install the liner to avoid peeling off too early or getting substandard quality.
