Truck Bed

[RClark]

I intend to have the bed of my new truck Linex coated and to install a 5th wheel hitch. Which should be done first? Why?

 

[Patriot Diesel]

Well... tough to say. I had mine done after the 5th wheel hitch was installed... so technically the entire bed is not coated.



My only concern about doing it before would be whether the line-x or whatever product you choose will hold up to the weight and stress put on it by the hitch...



I do love my line-x though... . great product...

 

[JLinder]

I put a gooseneck hitch in a friends truck after he had already had a spray-in liner installed. As long as the liner cures for a day or two, drilling holes doesn't seem to affect it to much. If you were to poke the holes in your bed first, the liner would fill up the holes partially and you'd have to trim the liner out of them anyways... Just my experience for what it's worth.

 

[KMeek]

In my area the installers often charge extra to remove the hitch hardware and to then reinstall it--something like $20-30 extra.

 

[klenger]

I installed my hitch 1 hour after having the line-x put in. No problems at all. I was careful not to drag the hitch over the liner when I was installing it. Definitley put the line-x in first. Much cleaner installation.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I had my truck Rhino lined Monday and installed hitch Tuesday night. Rhino dealer said to wait 24 hours.



I wish I had drilled the holes first.



Reese 5th wheel hitch's installation manual says installation over a spray in liner is OK. Over a plastic liner is a no-no. My RV dealer installs over plastic liners.



My last truck had the plastic liner with cutouts for the rails. Rhino liner is much, much nicer. See pictures of Red Rage II in 'Reader's Rigs'- https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=441&width=0.

 

[Pogodually]

Plasyic Liners

Stay away from the plastic liners. With very little use they are great for rubbing all the paint off areas of your pickup bed. Next thing you know bed is rusted and needs help.



Spray on liners are best. You can drill the holes for your hitch first. On a good spray job, the holes will be nice and clean to reinstall the bolts. They should protect holes when spraying liner.



Just get rid of those plastic liners, my bed has many rusted spots, thanks to a long gone liner.

 

[Dkevdog]

I had the line-x in my bed for alomst three years before I had the hitch put in and then after the hitch I had them touch up the bed and spray the hitch rails. looks sweet and everything is well protected. They taped off the four areas where the hitch sets on the rails so it would still fit snugly.



Kev