Choosing the Right Truck Bed Mats

Nobody should ever leave their truck bed bare, especially if they plan on hauling any heavy goods. Not only can the items slide around and get beat up, but you can cause some serious damage to your truck. That is why we at Ultimate Rides recommend outfitting your ride with a bed mat. While there are bed liners out there, they can get quite expensive. On the other hand you could also go with a spray-on liner, but if installed incorrectly it can have lasting negative effects on your vehicle.

In our opinion, if you want to keep your budget down, check out some high-quality bed mats online. You can find plenty to choose from at affordable prices, and the only trick is deciding which one is right for your truck. There are many differences out there when it comes to both quality and size, and those should be your two primary factors in your decision.

Let’s take a look at 10 of our favorite choices when it comes to the best heavy duty truck bed mats. After that, we’ll move on to our buying guide, where we’ll provide you with some helpful information on these products. Let’s begin!

1. Dee Zee DZ87009 Heavyweight Bed Mat

Dee Zee is our favorite brand of bed mats. Their products feature a basic design, but the mats are highly effective. They’ll be able to both keep items in your bed in place, and protect your truck bed from damage. Along with that, the mats are made with UV-resistant material that helps keep them from fading over time. The mat is thick, and offers plenty of protection to your truck.

Though we’ll share other Dee Zee products with you on this list, it’s important to note that this item is made specifically for Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups. It measures out to be 60 inches long, so make sure you find out the length of your bed to ensure it’s the right fit. The easiest thing to mess up on when shopping for heavy-duty bed mats is picking the wrong size, so don’t make that mistake!

2. BDK M330 Black Heavy-Duty Extra Thick Truck Utility Bed Mat

Next up, we bring you a rectangular strong rubber mat from BDK. While this mat is sized to fit most truck beds, and can be trimmed down, it doesn’t offer total coverage, so it may not be for everyone. However, for most folks, this should be more than enough to get the job done. If you’re okay with having a mat that isn’t form-fitting to your specific truck, this is a very solid choice. It accomplishes all the same results, protecting your truck from sliding goods and other damage. Additionally, it will stand up to harsh weather conditions and help protect your bed from water and other hazards. This is an excellent option for most drivers.

3. Rough Country Truck Mat 2015-2022 Ford F-150

At Ultimate Rides, we find ourselves working with truck accessories on a daily basis, and one of our favorite manufacturers is Rough Country. Their products are reliable, affordable and look great. If you’re the proud owner of a Ford F-150, and it has a five-and-a-half-foot bed, this is the mat for you. In addition to its textured surface that helps items stay put, it features knobs on the bottom that help keep it in place at all times. However, the primary reason we love this mat so much is that it is just about indestructible. Good luck trying to damage your truck bed when you have this installed.

4. Dee Zee DZ86973 Heavyweight Mat

Up next, we have another one of our recommended bed mats from one of our favorite manufacturers. This mat fits Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra models, specifically those with 6’6″ truck beds. It features all the same impressive design elements that the other mats from this manufacturer share, and it works just as great. It will protect your bed from damaging items, tears, spills and more, and it should be fitted to your specific truck. Whether you use your vehicle as a work truck or just want to stay prepared for anything, this mat should get the job done right.

5. Dee Zee DZ85005 Universal Heavyweight Utility Mat – 4′ x 8′

After that, we bring you another highly durable truck bed mat. This option, also made by Dee Zee, is a little bit different than what we’ve showed you so far. Here you will find a rectangular bed mat made to be cut to fit your specific truck’s needs. It measures out at four feet by eight feet, but it is easily trimmable to match your requirements. Additionally, it has all the same awesome features of the other mats from this company, such as UV resistance, tear and abrasion resistance and more. This is a fine option, but just make sure you measure out your bed to see if you can get it to fit.

6. Gator Covers Truck Mat 2007-2018 Chevy Silverado GMC Sierra 5.8 ft.

Our next selection of heavy-duty bed mats comes from Gator Covers, and is made to fit Silverado and Sierra vehicles with the shorter 5.8 foot beds. This cover will protect your truck from dents, scratches, spills and more. Gator constructed the mats from a tough rubber material that ensures it will last for years. Additionally, it will stand up to tough weather conditions such as freezing and scorching temperatures and precipitation. The rubber cleats on the bottom of the mat not only help it stay in place, but also allow water to drain out and not pool up in your bed. This is a product you won’t regret purchasing. Just make sure that it fits your truck before you buy.

7. Rough Country Mat 2003-2018 RAM Truck 6.4 ft. Bed RCM676

In our next position, we have a second Rough Country bed mat to share with you. It’s made for 2003-2018 Ram pickups with a 6.4 foot bed, and considering how popular Ram models are these days, we think that may cover many of our readers. Rough Country makes these mats right here in the United States, and they come packed with a lifetime warranty that should help convince you they’re the real deal. They use precise fit molding to ensure they conform directly to your bed. Additionally, as we mentioned before, these Rough Country mats are nearly impossible to destroy or damage. That ranks them up quite high in our books.

8. Westin 50-6145 Black Truck Mat

Next up, we have a set of well-made bed mats made from 100% recycled rubber, allowing you to feel good about your environmental footprint, and the mat is made to fit once again on Silverado and Sierra models. Once again this set conforms to the larger six-and-a-half-foot truck beds, and it was made right here in the USA. While these are quite reliable bed mats, the look of them isn’t quite as sleek as some of the other options on our list, which is why it falls down towards the bottom. Nonetheless, we think you’ll find that it works amazingly well, so the look might not matter to most.

9. Rough Country Mat Compatible w/ 2019-2023 Chevy Silverado GMC Sierra 8 ft. Bed

Do you own a newer Silverado with the larger eight foot bed as opposed to the more common short bed? You’re in luck, because we have a set of bed mats ready for you as well. Like the other Rough Country products, you’ll find a lifetime warranty backing this mat, and strong construction that makes it very likely you’ll never need the warranty at all. Still, it’s always nice to have that kind of support from the manufacturer if you find any issues with the product. If you recently purchased a highly capable Silverado, you’re going to want to make sure it’s well protected. That is why it is well worth your investment to get one of these awesome bed mats, and this one will definitely do the trick for your protection.

10. Dee Zee DZ86881 Heavyweight Mat

Lastly, the final spot on our list is another tough Dee Zee mat. This model specializes in serving Ford F-250 and F-350 models with the eight-foot bed. It will help protect your Super Duty truck against any and all tools and other goods you might be hauling around in the back. It will also prevent them from shifting around while you drive, which is a hugely important requirement. Its custom fit allows it to conform snugly to your truck, and it looks fantastic. We’ve gone over why we love this mat enough by now. Hopefully you get the idea!

Heavy Duty Truck Bed Mat Buying Guide

Before you go, stick around and read through our buying guide for more information on these products. Our list may have provided you with the best bed mat for your ride, or you may need to keep shopping. Either way, we have tips that should be able to help! If you get to the end and you need any further advice, don’t be afraid to reach out to our office. Our staff can get you set up with the right accessories, including a bed mat you’ll love, and so much more in no time.

Factors of Focus: Finding the Right Bed Mats

When shopping for truck bed mats, the number one thing to remember is size. Each mat has to be made to the specifications of a specific truck, so you must pay close attention. Unfortunately they often don’t make it easy to find out which products fit on which vehicle models, so check out Amazon reviews for more help. Amazon also provides a tool that lets you enter your truck’s information. From there they will tell you whether or not the product will work. That can be incredibly useful, so we recommend taking advantage of it.

Additionally, durability should be very important to you while shopping. You want to make sure to buy a product that will last for years to come. Our recommendations are all products made using quality highly durable materials, but not all the options you find out on the web will be the same. Make sure to pay close attention and only buy products you can trust the quality of. This is where customer reviews can come especially in handy.

Benefits of Using a Bed Mat in Your Truck

Protecting your bed should be a regular part of your vehicle maintenance. The two biggest benefits of doing this are: it’ll keep your vehicle looking great and will help maintain its value over time. These two reasons alone should be enough for most drivers to buy a bed mat. It could even be seen as an investment that pays itself off when you eventually sell the vehicle. Not many drivers will be willing to purchase a vehicle with a bed that’s in rough shape. If you plan on ever selling yours, a bed mat is strongly worth your time and money.

If you’ve owned a pickup before and didn’t use a bed mat or bed cover, you’ve probably already seen what can happen. Stains that are impossible to get out, or scratches that could cost a fortune to remove, can show up overnight. The outer coating of protection can even fade due to the sun, making the presence of a good mat even more important for your vehicle. Do your part to protect your vehicle for the long haul with the right bed mat.

Truck Bed Liner vs. Bed Mat

Installing a liner in your bed offers many of the same advantages as a mat. However, there are some important differences to think about before you decide on one over the other. A liner is permanent, or close to it, while mats can be taken out with relative ease. Mats provide the same level of protection, as long as you choose a quality option, but without much of the hassle. A good liner is often difficult to install, with less margin for error. It’ll also cost you more money, which is another reason we usually opt for mats over liners. However, as long as you’re totally sure you want to keep your liner around for the long haul, it can be worth it to install one as opposed to a bed mat. Just consider the advantages of each and figure out which style is best for you and your vehicle.

Closing Thoughts

If you live in the greater Chicago area, you’re right in our backyard. At Ultimate Rides, in addition to selling a variety of breathtaking vehicles, we also perform repairs, maintenance and custom work on all kinds of vehicles. If you’d like to learn more about your options when it comes to a bed mat or bed liners, or any other vehicle modifications, get in touch with us today! You can reach us by calling 815-634-3900, or visit us today at 38 W. Division St., Coal City, IL 60416.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are some of the main differences between a spray-on bed liner and bed mat?

A: A spray-on liner is a coating that dries and then covers the bed in a protective layer. It covers the sides of the truck bed as well as the floor, which is an advantage over mats. However it can be more expensive, and if not installed right it can cause permanent damage to your vehicle. For that reason, if you decide to go with a spray-on liner, it is recommended that you seek a professional for assistance. It is possible to install one at home, but if you make a mistake it can wind up costing quite a lot of money to fix. That’s why we think it’s better to ensure the installation goes as smooth as possible. Make sure to also keep in mind that liners are essentially permanent, or will require a lot of work to remove the right way.

Q: Why is it recommended to use rubber mats?

A: Rubber is the best material to withstand outdoor elements, wear and tear from heavy items in the truck and more. It’s easy to clean, won’t take on stains and allows for water to drain out of the truck bed. In our opinion, it’s the best option out there for nearly all pickup truck drivers. You also won’t have to worry about the install required with a spray-on liner for the bed, and a rubber bed mat doesn’t have to be permanent! Carpet-style mats are an option as well, but in our experience they don’t perform as well outside. If you get the right one, it can work, but there’s a reason we here at Ultimate Rides prefer a good rubber mat.

Q: Where is the best place to buy truck accessories?

A: One lovely thing about our modern era is that we have access to a huge range of products online. With a simple search, you could have thousands of choices at your fingertips. This is both a blessing and a curse, though. With so many great looking options out there, it can be tough finding the one that’s right for you. In our many searches, we typically find that Amazon offers a strong selection with prices that should appeal to you. The right mat will fit your vehicle, offer a reliable level of protection, and suit your personal taste. Keep shopping around until you find the mat for you. While it can be time-consuming going through the many options, we hope our guide was able to help you find a bed mat that’s right for your truck.

Q: What kind of damage can a bed mat help avoid?

A: Your truck bed can be a vulnerable place without the right protection. A bed mat and a bed cover are two accessories that can help avoid damage, but you may be wondering what kind of damage you need to avoid. Scratching and dents from items stored in the cargo bed is a very common one. Another issue is leaves falling into the bed and rotting there, leaving behind stains and other damage. The right bed mat will ensure neither of these things become a long-term problem for your truck. Even direct exposure to the sun can damage the bed over periods of time, which just goes to show the importance of a good mat for your bed.