When you purchased your diesel, it came with a bed. Not the kind you sleep in, but the kind you haul stuff in. Whether you're moving a friend's furniture, going to the dump, or getting a load of topsoil for the garden, a pickup is an extraordinarily useful vehicle. Unfortunately, its bed can be damaged very easily. To protect your investment, one of the first accessories or modifications you should consider is some kind of bedliner. There are various spray-in and drop-in options, but we discovered the DualLiner Bed Protector has some unique differences and advantages.
The DualLiner's Front Load...
The DualLiner's Front Load Guard clipped securely over the bed's rail below the cab window. Each vertical section is made of polyethylene and is custom-designed for the specific vehicle.
You Can Install It On Your Lunch BreakFor a closer look, we took a new Ford F-350 Super Duty 4x4 to Top This Truck & Auto Attitude in Grass Valley, California. It took them a tad over 20 minutes to install the DualLiner Protector. What we realized was that we could have done it in our driveway. The modular design of the DualLiner installs in sections, which makes it easy to handle, and allows it to be shipped in a compact box right to your doorstep.
The two side panels and Front Load Guard clip in easily. The tie-down cleats were removed and then replaced over the DualLiner. A few plastic clips join the sidewalls to the front section, which DualLiner says are engineered to stop wind from making them vibrate and chaffing the paint. The tailgate section uses factory screws and bolts to hold it in place. However, we did need to drill a couple of 1/4-inch holes to secure the upper corners. DualLiner supplied all the hardware and a tube of special rust inhibitor in its kit to protect any exposed metal.
Thick Rubber Floor MatThe bed floor is a thick rubber material designed to offer superior protection from dents, and its skid resistance is considerably better than spray-on or drop-in liners. Little nubs on the bottom allow water to run out of the factory bed drain holes. And if you like, it's easily removed and reinstalled for cleaning. DualLiner says the sides are made of polyethylene, which contains UV-resistant chemicals to ensure it stays black without the need of additional color-refreshing treatments. The rubber mat also has a high carbon black content that prevents fading. Campers, shells, tonneau covers, and fifth-wheel hitches can be installed without removing the liner.
Torture TestingTo see just how tough the liner is, we drove it across the street to a Kubota dealer and watched while Jim Klauer, owner of the store, loaded some heavy equipment into the bed. It didn't phase it. Not totally convinced, we borrowed an '08 Dodge with a DualLiner already installed and stopped by the local sand and rock yard to have one of their operators dump a load of heavy rocks straight into the bed from about three feet up. Without the liner, the result would have been serious dents and scratches. After hosing out the dust and dirt, close inspection showed the bed was still in factory condition, giving us confidence that the DualLiner can be safely used for all the work it was designed for. Suggested retail price is under $450, but most shops sell them for around $399.