IDEA: Protect your bed with a horse mat.

[David_VT]

I bought some horse stall mats for my wife's horse (read that 4 leg lawn mower). These mats are very sturdy.

One of the mats got lost #ad
(that is my story and I'm sticking with it)

If you have a chance to see one of these mats, you will understand that they are perfect for protecting your bed. If a horse can't punch through, there is little that would.

Besides that, it adds a almost a hundred pounds to the bed in a very safe fashion.

The size is perfect for the short box!

 

[Cooker]

Good idea.

I agree these things are very durable, but they are pricey. A 3'x4' mat is $40 around here, but that well worth it to protect the bed. It's 100% better than the cheapo rubber mats.

 

[Dave Fritz]

I put one of these on top of the bedliner (dealer threw in the liner for free) in Sue's truck last year and we really like it because it is not slippery when wet. Bedliners and even the factory paint will bust your butt when they are wet and the truck is parked on a slope. The 3/4" thick pad takes a lot of abuse and is well worth $40, but TSC occasionally has them on sale for less.

Dave

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1994 2500HD 4X4 modified for off-road camping
2001 2500 ETH/DEE QC SB 4X4
Fritz's DodgeRam.org

 

[David_VT]

These are 4x8 and close to $100.

Today I put a pallet under one so I could clear my mower deck over the wheel wells. Worked great!!

 

[John]

David, the quality level of the stall mats is directly proportional to price. Much cheaper stall mats can be purchased however, quality (and longevity) is lower (reduced).

That is one of the very first additions Rob Hanson made to his Ram... he needed it to raise his camper just a bit as well as keep it "glued" into position after it was loaded. Another side benefit, it will also reduce in cab noise.

 

[QRTRHRS]

If I may add my two cents here, I would not worry about quality to much for a truck bed application. As long as the rubber is a full 3/4" thick, it should do the job. The pricier and usually better quality mats do make a difference when you have a 1000 lb+ horse stomping on them though. The only problem you will have is in moving these mats around. They are the most unwieldy thing imaginable. You could stack them up for winter weight and would not even have to tie them down.

 

[John]

On the other hand QRTRHRS, the cheap stall mats WILL tear/flake apart if heavy objects are dragged across its surface. My wife gets away with the cheapies for the llamas however, the better quality mats are used where the application warrants.

Rob Hanson has the high quality mats in the bed of his Ram. When he helped me move a new, extremely large and HEAVY computer desk (using his Ram... it wouldn't fit in mine with the canopy on), we could barely slide it around to maneuver it as required. A lesser mat would have surely torn or ripped.

I guess it all depends upon expected usage.

 

[QRTRHRS]

John,

I am thinking of terms of say Summit Rubber being one of the better mats with a 4x6 going for near fifty bucks unless you get some of the periodic specials. Or, you can go to Quality Farm & Country and buy them for around thirty five. F&C has changed their style, they have grooved the bottom making them lighter but more flimsy. Like I said, if the thickness is there, generally the rubber holds up well even in the sun. The old style from F&C, some of which I have, has held up okay. The problem with the cheaper mats is they are not cut as uniformily as more "pricey" ones are. Not a problem in a truck bed but it is in a stall. My Summit mats fit so well, almost nothing goes through the seams. Definetly stay away from used belting material which is usually like ice when wet.

 

[David_VT]

Mine came from a supplier here in VT. The guy shows up with a PSD loaded to the gills with these mats (you are correct, this is a short box so they can't be 4x8 but rather 4x6).

Mine have the small grooves under them to help moisture move around and still seem to weight at least 100lbs.

A friend uses the same ones for his giant draft horses and he has not complained about wear and tear.

 

[JMoglia]

Hey guys,sorry to but in,I have worked in construction all my life and never saw this, a roofing buddy of mine gave me a roll of this stuff called spaghetti matt,it is polypropolene and is just great,check out roofing supply house and have a look at this stuff. C-YA,JDM JOE

[This message has been edited by Joe (edited 05-26-2001). ]

 

[merryman]

In Oregon, it is common to find the same rubber mats as the horse stall stuff made specifically and fitted for pickups. When I bought the 84 Ford, the dealer had them instock (three pieces) that exactly fit the truck, and I could not tell the difference between them and the ones we had in the stalls in the barn. I now have a set that came out of a '97 Ford and with slight modification, fit my '01 dodge just right.

Vaughn

Vaughn

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1950 Dodge 1/2 ton restored. 2001 2500 QC 4X4 SLT ETH 6 speed. E-Brake, Goose Neck Hitch with Cody fiver adaptor, RBW little rocker 5th wheel hitch, 2-low switch, on self made switch panel, trailer brake ampmeter,selfmade offset mudflaps, selfmade rear bumper (front under construction) selfmade tail gate, spray in liner,running boards etc.