Bed mat vs drop-in liner vs spray liner

I have an older German Shephard with bad hips and she slips around the truck without a mat/liner. I was leaning towards a do-it-yourself spray liner, but kind of want some sort of impact padding. What is your favorite type, that you think would be good for a dog and how much should I plan to spend?

 

The reason you don’t see spray in liners on Taco’s is that liner has adhesion problems with the composite bed. A rubber bed mat will not give you a padded surface... From what you have described it sounds like a BedRug liner would be ideal. I have used them for 20+ years and my current one is 12 years old. Seems like it would provide the padded comfortable surface for your pup you are looking for...and they look great too IMO

 

So do you have to get a tonneau cover if you have carpet? Also, is it easy to clean? I live in high desert with lots of snow in the winter...

 

I got the Toyota bed mat when I bought the truck, I really like it. It is so non-slip that when I do want to slid something heavy in or out I have to remember to take it out. It was not very expensive, and cut to fit the box exactly.

 

Why not let the dog ride in the back seat? Seems like the obvious solution especially if the dog has bad hips.

Just get a seat hammock to combat the dog hair.

 

Given only those choices I would go with the mat. I think the Toyota OEM mat is a good choice. It's soft, definitely non-skid, easily removed for cleaning or to give you a slick surface for sliding things into the bed should that be necessary. Some other things to think about are:

Older dogs with hip problems have trouble jumping up. Some people think that jumping up is what causes the problems. I don't know about that but I do know once they have hip problems jumping only makes them worse. You may want to reconsider having the dog jump up into the truck bed.

Your dog must be better behaved than mine. I couldn't trust her to stay in the bed without jumping out to chase something at a stop nor would I ever even consider chaining her in the bed (I know of one dog that strangled to death after trying to jump out while chained). My girl is about 12 years old now and definitely showing signs of aging hips. I make her ride in the back seat. I put a hammock in there to protect the seats and it also gives her a little more usable space since it covers the foot well. I also put up some paddy wagon bars to keep her from jumping over and trying to ride shotgun. The seat is a high jump from the ground so I got her a ramp; she still jumps from the top of the ramp to the seat but that's not much of an issue.

The hammock and bars are easily removed and reinstalled as needed. Literally just a couple of minutes to put them in or out. The ramp collapses to half length and leans against the wall in the garage.

I have this one:

https://www.duluthtrading.com/scouts-seat-saver-32006.html

This one also covers the doors:

https://www.duluthtrading.com/scout...r=GRA#start=4&cgid=gear-truck-car-seat-covers

 

I have a line-x in as my bedliner and have had it for years. No issue what's so ever about adhering. I spent around $450 to get it professionally done through line-x.
That being said, it's rough. It's a sand paper texture. I know now they can do it without the grit feel. Imo, for a dog with hip problems carpeting might be the best solution.
Maybe get the cover first, treat for leaks then do the carpeting.

 

No cover needed, it is fully all weather and you can wash it at the car wash if you need too.

 

I've heard of people using a horse mat/blanket and cutting to fit.

 

I would definitely do this, but the kids take up the backseat. Unfortunately not an option at this time.

 

Again, I wish the backseat was an option, but my kids fill up the backseat. As for getting in and out, I pick her up, but a ramp would be nice cuz I usually get full of dog hair! She is extremely well-behaved, but I do chain her in so she won't slip over the side. I have also heard of the possibility of stangulation so I shortened the leash to a length where she cannot get her front feet over the side of the truck. She simply LOVES to go with us everywhere, but hasn't been able to since I got the new truck...

 

Thank you all for your input! You have given me great info to make my purchase! Merry Christmas!