Best Bed Liner Option for Rocks?
- Thread starter DougK
- Start date
How large are these rocks?
For your scenario, I'd probably say the bed liner would be best.
Is making a box out of plywood that inserts into the OEM steel box an option for you?
I was anticipating the same issue (but mine is with logs). I removed all the sides and tailgate off of mine and made an entire box out of wood. That was over 3 years ago and it's holding up well and can withstand anything you can throw in/at it.
Here's an early pic (while I was still building it). The 5/4" decking boards that are on top of the sides lift off to reveal storage compartments. Once completed with the tailgate and such, I stained it black.
For your scenario, I'd probably say the bed liner would be best.
Is making a box out of plywood that inserts into the OEM steel box an option for you?
I was anticipating the same issue (but mine is with logs). I removed all the sides and tailgate off of mine and made an entire box out of wood. That was over 3 years ago and it's holding up well and can withstand anything you can throw in/at it.
Here's an early pic (while I was still building it). The 5/4" decking boards that are on top of the sides lift off to reveal storage compartments. Once completed with the tailgate and such, I stained it black.
I didn't make it any longer than the bed. I guess I could have made it a little longer but didn't have a need and wanted to retain easy access to the rear hitch.
To give a general idea on it's construction. I can give more details (if requested) later but I'm heading out in a few minutes and won't be back online until next Monday.
All wood is pressure treated.
The bottom is 1/2" exterior grade plywood.
On the exterior edges (under the storage area) is a 2x4 going from front to back. There's then 4 vertical uprights to hold the 5/4 decking boards (cut to the height of 2 5/4x6" decking boards minus the 2x4 sill plate). The top board for the storage area has a chunk of 2x4 attached to the underside of either end to keep it in place. I put felt on the underside of those cover boards to stop vibration noises. The 5/4 boards are attached to the inside and outside.
I'll have to check for details on how I made the front.
The tailgate is a 2x12 with big hinges that attach to the rearmost vertical 2x4 upright. Cables are drawn into the 2x4 framing and down to the tailgate for a limit stop (like on a truck).
For attaching, I just ran some 5/16" lag bolts up from the original holes on the underside of the OEM bed through the plywood and into the 2x4 sills that are under each storage area. The whole box can be taken off or put on in about 3 minutes.
I then stained the entire thing with Sherwin Williams Deckscapes stain. (It's a good quality stain that'll hold up a lot better than paint).
If/when you go to make it, one key measurement is the width. Make sure you make it such that once all the walls are built you still have a little over 4' in the box for hauling plywood and such.
The storage area is very handy. With the uprights it's compartmentalized for organization. I carry a first aid kit, pruners, hatchet, saw, ratchet straps, tow straps, bungie cords, a couple clevice, another draw bar, fire starters, toilet paper, flashlight, small tools, bug spray, gloves and still have a compartment for my beverages. Oh, those koozie things over your beer still fit perfectly in there.
Here's a pic once completed. Looking close, you can see the vertical uprights between the 2 boards.
To give a general idea on it's construction. I can give more details (if requested) later but I'm heading out in a few minutes and won't be back online until next Monday.
All wood is pressure treated.
The bottom is 1/2" exterior grade plywood.
On the exterior edges (under the storage area) is a 2x4 going from front to back. There's then 4 vertical uprights to hold the 5/4 decking boards (cut to the height of 2 5/4x6" decking boards minus the 2x4 sill plate). The top board for the storage area has a chunk of 2x4 attached to the underside of either end to keep it in place. I put felt on the underside of those cover boards to stop vibration noises. The 5/4 boards are attached to the inside and outside.
I'll have to check for details on how I made the front.
The tailgate is a 2x12 with big hinges that attach to the rearmost vertical 2x4 upright. Cables are drawn into the 2x4 framing and down to the tailgate for a limit stop (like on a truck).
For attaching, I just ran some 5/16" lag bolts up from the original holes on the underside of the OEM bed through the plywood and into the 2x4 sills that are under each storage area. The whole box can be taken off or put on in about 3 minutes.
I then stained the entire thing with Sherwin Williams Deckscapes stain. (It's a good quality stain that'll hold up a lot better than paint).
If/when you go to make it, one key measurement is the width. Make sure you make it such that once all the walls are built you still have a little over 4' in the box for hauling plywood and such.
The storage area is very handy. With the uprights it's compartmentalized for organization. I carry a first aid kit, pruners, hatchet, saw, ratchet straps, tow straps, bungie cords, a couple clevice, another draw bar, fire starters, toilet paper, flashlight, small tools, bug spray, gloves and still have a compartment for my beverages. Oh, those koozie things over your beer still fit perfectly in there.
Here's a pic once completed. Looking close, you can see the vertical uprights between the 2 boards.
PS. It's withstood everything I've thrown at it including 100# chunks of wood literally being thrown in.
Even with the tailgate down, there's no bending or anything else and this is after 3 years of abuse.
As seen in the pic, there's a gap between the boards. It's due to board shrinkage which the pressure treated does. I "could" remove the lower board and push it up now that it's done shrinking but I just haven't bothered. Most of what I carry can't get into those cracks anyway.
Even with the tailgate down, there's no bending or anything else and this is after 3 years of abuse.
As seen in the pic, there's a gap between the boards. It's due to board shrinkage which the pressure treated does. I "could" remove the lower board and push it up now that it's done shrinking but I just haven't bothered. Most of what I carry can't get into those cracks anyway.
[quote user="DougK"]
BC,</p>
that is a great bed ....</p>
We have the occasion to haul deer and hogs which would cause me to shy away from wood. That is a great bed...</p>
</p>
Doug</p>[/quote]
Thanks for the compliment.
I have hauled deer (we don't have hogs around here). I just throw a piece of cardboard and/or tarp in first.
As mentioned, it comes off in a couple minutes. Not sure if your hunting and rock loading are seasonal but is swapping the beds an option?
BC,</p>
that is a great bed ....</p>
We have the occasion to haul deer and hogs which would cause me to shy away from wood. That is a great bed...</p>
</p>
Doug</p>[/quote]
Thanks for the compliment.
I have hauled deer (we don't have hogs around here). I just throw a piece of cardboard and/or tarp in first.
As mentioned, it comes off in a couple minutes. Not sure if your hunting and rock loading are seasonal but is swapping the beds an option?
Hogs are 5 time messier than deer. I might beable to swap the beds. The other option is to use the std bed and when it goes build a bed like yours. </P>
I am leaning to a liner in that all our trucks have Linex and they have with stood alot of hardships. The excessive heat and sun is also tough on wood.</P>
</P>
I am leaning to a liner in that all our trucks have Linex and they have with stood alot of hardships. The excessive heat and sun is also tough on wood.</P>
</P>
[quote user="DougK"]
I am going to be moving alot of rocks in the RTV, and I know the bed will get dented. What is the best option (Kubota Bed Liner, Linex/Rhino Liner, or a DIY like Herculiner) for handling rocks in Texas?</P>
Thanks</P>
Doug</P>[/quote]I went the herculiner route on my RTV.I put2 coats in the bed and also did the cab floor and gas/brake pedals.I did the same with my 2002 Kaw.3010 mule and it held up great for the 4 years I owned it,so I tryed it on the RTV,so far so good.Preperation is the key on doing it yourself.coobie
I am going to be moving alot of rocks in the RTV, and I know the bed will get dented. What is the best option (Kubota Bed Liner, Linex/Rhino Liner, or a DIY like Herculiner) for handling rocks in Texas?</P>
Thanks</P>
Doug</P>[/quote]I went the herculiner route on my RTV.I put2 coats in the bed and also did the cab floor and gas/brake pedals.I did the same with my 2002 Kaw.3010 mule and it held up great for the 4 years I owned it,so I tryed it on the RTV,so far so good.Preperation is the key on doing it yourself.coobie
Agent Orange
New member
Doug,</P>
Like BCZOOM I am hauling logs. My RTV has only been in service for a few weeks but I went with a sprayed liner (professionally done) and a 3/4"fatigue mat (solid)cut to size ($37.00). I am still a little concerned about the sides.My Toyota pickup has a bed liner and has hauled it's share of wood thrown in from great distances with no problems.</P>
I wanted to try something different soI went for a sprayed liner, butif I was hauling rock I probably would go for the bed liner or better yet duplicate BCZOOM's bed (Wow!).</P>
Steve</P>
Like BCZOOM I am hauling logs. My RTV has only been in service for a few weeks but I went with a sprayed liner (professionally done) and a 3/4"fatigue mat (solid)cut to size ($37.00). I am still a little concerned about the sides.My Toyota pickup has a bed liner and has hauled it's share of wood thrown in from great distances with no problems.</P>
I wanted to try something different soI went for a sprayed liner, butif I was hauling rock I probably would go for the bed liner or better yet duplicate BCZOOM's bed (Wow!).</P>
Steve</P>
[quote user="DougK"]
Coobie</P>
do you have pictures?</P>
Doug</P>[/quote]Sorry Doug I do not.Not very camera savy at posting pics.The biggest thing that I have found is take your time with prep and clean good with some mineral spirts after sanding the box.I bought 2 small rollers and 2 small quality paint brushes to apply the herculiner with.coobie
Coobie</P>
do you have pictures?</P>
Doug</P>[/quote]Sorry Doug I do not.Not very camera savy at posting pics.The biggest thing that I have found is take your time with prep and clean good with some mineral spirts after sanding the box.I bought 2 small rollers and 2 small quality paint brushes to apply the herculiner with.coobie
TWO GUNS
Senior Member
I talked to my dealer about the OEM Bedliner about two weeks ago. I want to protect mine as well . Dealer told me he was going to have to order three at a time from Kubota so they will pay shipping. He said that another dealer he knows might can use one, and one for my self, and he said he will stock the third. But he don't want to hold two in stock !Haveto wait till the other dealer ok's his, for to order just one, and I would have to pay freight, the dern thing would cost me a fortune. I am in no hurry, I've waited all my life for the RTV, few weeks on a bedliner won't hurt ~~~~~``</P>