Bed Mat

marpel · March 2

'22 Sierra HD.

In the past (many years ago), when researching a bed mat for previous trucks, I read a number of comments/reviews which cautioned against a bed mat due to the potential for rust developing under the mat. My current truck did not come with a mat or spray, and over the last couple years a few scratches have occurred from normal use (not a work truck, just everyday stuff) but not deep enough to reach metal, at least I don't think. I also have a tonneau cover which keeps most of the rain out, although some water will appear after a rain.

So, will the latest factory paint spray/rust prevention processes prevent rust under the above circumstance? I would imagine with some water intrusion the bed would trap moisture. For those who have mats, do you do anything special. like lifting and wiping down on a regular basis (which would be a pain)?

Thanks,

Marv

NaturallyAspirated · March 2

FWIW I worry about that too. Have a Bed Rug in mine and hate the idea of small gravel working it’s way underneath and wreaking havoc. So I pull mine off probably every other week and wash the whole truck. Haven’t had too many issues. The deep scratches I put into the bed from sliding some heavy tools around without the Bed Rug have been there for about a year and have miraculously not rusted. Gotta still get around to painting them!

Pryme · March 2

With the factory spray in liner and the fact the bed has channels and the mat I use has raised bumps all over the underside there is no way that set up is ever going to rust. And my cover keeps out 99.9% of water.

my mat weighs 100lbs. I’m never taking it out.

Another JR · March 2

I agree with the spray in liner it’s a non-issue, but they are talking about trucks that don’t have the spray in liner.

I have a 2021 with factory sprayed liner and a 3/8 inch thick GMC accessory mat. There’s no way that setup will ever wear to the metal, if it wears at all.

I had an aftermarket plastic bed liner in my 1993 K2500 since new. It rubbed through the paint, primer, and was working on the metal in a few small spots by ten years. The rust was very minor because the rubbing kept it clean and it was garaged most of the time. I had Line-X installed about 3 years ago and did not reinstall the bed liner. They did not need to do any metal repair. Just sprayed on the coating as far as I know. They did a beautiful job.

I wouldn’t worry about rust with a rubber mat and no spray in liner, but you may get some paint damage over the years from dirt getting under it. If you want to avoid that, have Line-X installed. It cost $400 in 2021 for a long bed under-the-rail installation.

rjgvt · March 2

My 2024 is the first truck that has a factory spray in bed liner. I had a local business do a spray in bed liner on my previous trucks. No more plastic bed liners for me.

CamGTP · March 2

My parents put in a rubber bed mat in their 2021, no issues at all with it. They remove it every so often to wash under it and plop it right back in. Sure it dulled the finish on the paint a little in spots but that's it so far.

marpel · March 2

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

Due to the various manufacturers cheapening out things, I was unsure if vehicle paint (layers) may be one of them and did not wish to buy a mat and test whether the scratches the truck already has would allow sitting water/moisture under a mat to eventually bleed through and cause some rust.

Not really wishing to remove/wash/dry/replace on a regular basis, as I find it a pain enough to do all four OEM cab mats.....

And I realize a spray liner would be optimal.

Thanks again.

bruceb58 · March 4

On 3/2/2024 at 2:48 PM, marpel said:

And I realize a spray liner would be optimal.

Yep...I always do spray liners, especially if it's offered as an option when you buy the truck...and never use a mat with it. I see no point in adding that at all.

Edited March 4 by bruceb58

Another JR · March 4

A mat provides more grip and reduces load items from shifting, especially my pop up camper. The spray on liner protects the bed from being damaged by load items.