When it comes to DIY bed liners, there are two brands that most truck enthusiasts turn to: Line-X and Rhino Liner.
They virtually have the market cornered and for good reason. They are both wildly popular and effective options for protecting the lining of your truck.
That is why the brands have won the hearts of so many truck owners around the country. After all, when it comes to your truck bed, there is no room for error.
If you use your truck for blue-collar purposes, then you are likely to be hauling around a lot of materials from place to place. Without the right truck bed liner, you are risking serious damage to your property that can affect its resale value in the future. You also run the risk of potentially harming your cargo in the process.
There are typically two options for bed liners that most people turn to for their truck bed liners: The drop-in liner and the spray-in liner. Both brands offer these types of services, but spray-in is the most popular option.
Before we jump into how these liners differ, let’s see what they have in common.
Common Qualities Between Line-X and Rhino Liner
- Both will cost you about the same, somewhere in the area of $400 to $900
- They have a similar chemical makeup (tough and tear-resistant) that protects your truck bed
- Both carry a lifetime warranty in the United States
- In most cases, the color schemes will be the same between the Line-X bed liner and the Rhino Liner options (including similar options for color matching)
- Both liners’ effectiveness depends on the aptitude of the installer. If it is poorly installed, it will not work as well as the other option if it is done right
- No matter which option you choose, both of them will wear away when exposed to sunlight for long periods of time. The speed of the degradation will also depend on the area of the country that you live in.
If you live in South Texas, for example, your liner will likely wear out faster than a person who lives in a more overcast climate like Seattle. UV protection is typically a feature you add later. But without it, you will find yourself needing to replace your liner after a few years of exposure to the sun
Head-To-Head Comparison of Line-X and Rhino Liner
While Rhino Liner is the most popular option today, both options have their merits. Rhino Liner is most useful due to its versatile nature. It is dependable, tough, and simple to apply. It can be easily installed on different truck beds without a second thought.
As for Line-X, its popularity comes from its ability to be customized and molded to your truck bed. It gives customers a unique look that is classy and stylish, while also being extremely powerful.
The durability category goes to Line-X. If you’re going to be using your truck bed on a daily basis, especially if you’re going to be using it for work, then you can’t go wrong with Line-X.
Again, Rhino Liner is almost as good at guarding your truck bed, but Line-X is slightly superior. Rhino Liner would be the option to choose if you’re more concerned about the appearance of your truck rather than its hauling capabilities.
Comparing the Costs
This is one area where the two are very similar. No matter what brand you’re looking for, the spray in system will cost you anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 to get a full-body installation.
Luckily, it won’t cost you as much if you’re simply looking to line the bed of your truck. In that case, it will cost you somewhere between $500 to $1000, depending on the installer and the circumstances surrounding your installation.
Comparing the Performance
While there is a certain emphasis on the solidity of a truck bed, regarding its effectiveness, this doesn’t always mean it’s the best option for everyone. Just because your bed liner is super hard and rigid, doesn’t mean it’s the number one choice for all kinds of truck owners.
Every job is different. Line-X is considered to be the harder option between the two, but some users complain that this can be inconvenient when having to move around their truck bed to get their materials out. A hard surface can do a number on the knees or elbows of workers trying to work out of the truck bed.
A hard bed can also damage certain types of cargo, like wood or glass. With Rhino Liner, it has a smoother surface that proves to be less abrasive to the user and the bed’s contents. As Rhino Liner is typically thicker, it has more shock absorption.
At the same time, Rhino Liner is also softer, so it has less resistance to tears. The performance of each type will depend on the type of work you plan on doing with your truck.
Comparing the Installation Process
Both bed liners are installed in a variety of ways, the most popular being the spray system. This spray system works by shooting a high-heat, pressurized blend of the product over the desired area, which then cools and solidifies. Line-X, for example, uses a heated system that varies from 130 to 210 degrees Fahrenheit.
The second most popular installation option would be the TuffGrip method, which is normally only used for Rhino Liner. The result will be different than the spray method, as the final product is not exactly a solid, it’s more of a rubber. If you need dependability over several years, the spray method may be your best option for both.
The Final Verdict: Who Comes Out on Top?
While Line-X started out as the clear victor when both brands hit the market years ago, things are a little different in today’s climate. Rhino lining has worked hard to adapt to the benefits of Line-X, changing its cold application process to match the superiority of the hot application methods.
Both brands now offer warranties that take away the guesswork of buying a truck bed liner. The only choice is whether or not you want a rough surface, increased thickness option, or softer surface for your new truck or aftermarket vehicle. Either option will work great for your Toyota, Ford, Ram, Chevy, or other model vehicle.
Chemically, their makeup is very similar. Both offer superior benefits to the other in various categories and scenarios. Ultimately, the best option will be the one that fits your unique set of needs.
The other factor to consider is the type of business that is installing the bed liner for you. With even the slightest mistake in the installation process, the liner will not be as dependable as it should be. Thus, you could be risking serious damage to your truck bed.
That is why it’s important to check online and visit forums to find out who does the best job of installing the liners. This can also give you more insights as to what you need to do to prepare your truck for the procedure.
If you’re an old school cowboy and plan on using your truck bed to haul around saddles and metal frames that may become harmed by a rigid bed liner, then Rhino Liner will probably be the best option for you. Its rubbery, thick design allows for better shock absorption and give.
If you plan on carrying around pallets of solid weight, maybe Line-X premium liners will be the most dependable option, since it can withstand even the toughest of cargo.
In the end, both liners now offer a hot application process that will provide dependability for years to come. Carefully review what we’ve said and decide for yourself which one is the best fit for the task at hand. Whichever liner you choose, you should be in the clear to make the most out of your truck’s bed or tailgate.
Visit your local Line-X Dealer or Rhino bed liner retailer to find out more about their high-pressure spray system liner installers. After all, the applicator or spray gun can make all the difference.
