Truck bed mats are an answer to protecting your trucks from life-shortening damage. Pickup trucks were made for hauling. However, unless you’re very careful, a shiny new bed can quickly look like a rusty bucket. Scratches and scratches from casual use will start the rust trail if the paint is scraped down to bare metal. And a work truck that gets used a lot can quickly pick up big dents and dents that lead to an early grave. So what is the answer? Can you really use your truck and still keep it in good shape?

One option to protect your bed is a bed liner sprinkler. That may be the number one option now for a number of reasons. Bed guards are attractive, strong and permanent protection for your bed. But maybe you don’t want a permanent coating, or maybe you choose something with more padding or less money. Maybe you want some protection for that expensive spray eyeliner. That would be protection for protection!

In many cases, a bed mat can be a great option to protect your bed or even cover existing damage. Mats come in a variety of types and variations. Your main material choices are carpet and rubber. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

carpet coverings

Carpet is an especially good option if your truck has a tonneau cover or top deck. Most carpet coverings are weather resistant, but a damp covering can trap moisture in the bedding and begin to damage it. However, some new carpet coverings are made of closed cell foam as a lifeline and dry very quickly. A carpet cover is a non-slip surface and that may be just what your transport requires. Plus, the mat is a cushion for your knees if your load or transport requires them to be dragged across the truck bed. Plus, mats are perfect for cushioning big, messy transport jobs.

With these mats you can choose a reversible cover. For really messy and difficult transportation, some mats have two usable sides. Sometimes one side is carpeted and the other rubber. These double side mats are just the thing for real work trucks that need heavy-duty slip protection.

At the other extreme, choose a custom-made rug covering that drapes the bottom and sides of the bed with a plush rug. You wouldn’t want a luxury carpet liner for messy loads, but for more casual transport and recreational use. Many of these liners are installed with Velcro to make the liners easy to remove and clean.

rubber liners

For really nasty or rough transportation, rubber mats are virtually indestructible. These mats are also weather resistant, tear resistant and shock absorbent. Rubber mats can take a severe beating with little to no damage. Plus, you get some deadening from road noise with the bed guard.

You may want a trim that will fit the universal mat. That will be your cheapest option. A custom rubber mat for your truck is also likely to be made. Another option is to get a multi-piece liner just for your truck that includes a rubber mat and snap-on side pieces to cover the entire bed.

Whichever you choose, truck bed mats are an important option for protecting the value of your old or new truck.