Protect New Wood Bed From Damage

[chevyguys]

What do you guys use to protect your nice finished bed wood when you are going to shows or traveling. I was looking at the universal bed rug brand mat for my 66 short bed fleetside but it's not wide enough. just curious what everyone is using.

We're about to go a a 5k mile road trip for the hotrod power tour and I need something to protect the bed from our luggage and all the junk i'll collect on the way...

[pwrbrkpadguy]

Hi, I like using an $8.00 moving quilt and bungee straps. They are soft and thick.

[chevyguys]

Originally Posted by pwrbrkpadguy

Hi, I like using an $8.00 moving quilt and bungee straps. They are soft and thick.

Thanks Pwrbrkpadguy... I usually do something similar for quick trips. However, i'm looking for a little more long term solution. Ideally it would be a rubber backed mat that was fairly thin and easy to roll up and store when not in use...

[jayoldschool]

Go to a local carpet store. Ask them to look at remnants. Get a piece cut to the size of your bed for dirt cheap. If you want to get really fancy, buy two pieces, put them back to back, get the carpet place to bind the edges. That way, you have soft carpet down to protect the bed, and soft carpet up that looks nice. You can also get outdoor carpet at the carpet place if you are concerned about weather.

[1963c-10]

At tractor supply they sell stall mats which are around 3/4' - 1" thick rubber that are 4'x6'. They fit perfect in the short steppers. I guess two could be cut for long beds and fleetsides.

I have moved big blocks in the back of my truck with these mats with no floor damage. They are made for 1000lb horses to walk on.

[62step]

1963c-10 is talking about these:

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/stor...at-4-ft-x-6-ft

[1963c-10]

Yup, that's them. I have been using one since 2009 with no damage to the stainless strips or the wood. Nice thing is they can be removed for shows and such. Or left out and just installed to use the truck bed for moving stuff.

[oem4me]

simplest, easiest, and cheapest is vinyl flooring. Get a flexible remnant from a flooring store and cut it to fit. It provides a fair degree of protection, rolls up easy, wont mark your bed, and sheds water if it gets wet. I have it in all my trucks and swear by it. Sorry, no pics right now.

[65 C20]

Originally Posted by oem4me

simplest, easiest, and cheapest is vinyl flooring. Get a flexible remnant from a flooring store and cut it to fit. It provides a fair degree of protection, rolls up easy, wont mark your bed, and sheds water if it gets wet. I have it in all my trucks and swear by it. Sorry, no pics right now.

I like this idea.
Simple and easy if you are on a trip.
Currently around town I use the carpet trick, but that is with no rain.

[oem4me]

Took a picture. The fake plank vinyl flooring has fooled many casual observers. Lucky dumpster find was enough to do three trucks and a Suburban. Not showing is the extra 4' to 5' piece that tucks under the mat and pulls out to cover the tailgate if needed.

[jayoldschool]

That is genius.

[LostMy65]

Fake wood plank vinyl is absolutely an excellent idea.

[jonzcustomshop]

great ideas!
love the fake wood floor, and the horse mat might be perfect for my build.

[brap999]

Never thought of the fake wood, great idea.

I have an ugly steel bed that someone installed many years before i bought the truck, so I bought a rubber bed mat made specifically for our trucks to hide it. I think I bought it on summit racing's website, though its been a few years and I can't remember for sure. It's thick and fits perfectly, also rolls up if you need it too.

[patrickk1]

"BedRug" can be purchased in a big roll instead of built specific for a truck (I don't think they make it for our trucks). It's less than $100 for a big roll that will more than cover the floor of your bed. Any dealer who sells the bedrugs for trucks should be able to get you the roll. It's used for The sidewalls of enclosed trailers.

A horse Matt would probably work well also.

[chevyguys]

Thanks Guys. I knew you guys could help. I like the idea of the vinyl flooring. Seems like it would be light and easy to roll up and slide under the truck at shows.. I also like the bed rug but can't find a vendor who sells the bulk rug. The universal cut to fit one they sell online is just a bit small for the fleetside. I will probably try the vinyl idea while I keep looking. Thanks for all the suggestions!