Can You Put a Bed Liner in a Leased Truck

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When appropriately installed, bed liners can protect your truck’s bed and the items you are hauling. There’s no doubting the benefits of using a bed liner if you own your truck, but what about if you lease?

You can put a bed liner in a leased truck only if your lease agreement allows the alteration. In some cases, a bed liner may void your protection warranty. Still, there are ways to acquire a bed liner if you lease your truck.

A bed liner is a great way to improve the look and function of your truck, yet it may not be allowed if you’ve leased your vehicle. In this article, you’ll learn how to get a bed liner if you lease and which type of liner is the best.

White Truck Bed, empty bad of an modern white truck, daylight

Finding Out If Your Lease Allows Bed Liners

If you’re thinking of leasing a truck, ask the salesperson upfront about the lease policy on alterations. Be sure to ask them to specify which types of bed liners are allowed and any other guidelines they have. The dealership can provide you with this information prior to signing. 

If you already have a leased truck and want to install a bed liner, refer to your copy of the lease agreement or call your dealership. Because a bed liner is considered an alteration, you will need to check the lease agreement’s fine print. For example, this Chevrolet lease agreement states that no coverage will be provided if alterations are made, and additional fees may apply if customer-added alterations fail or cause damage to the truck. 

Adding a Dealership-Provided Liner to Your Leased Truck

If adding a bed liner on your own is not permitted in your lease, the dealership may offer to provide one as an add-on. In many cases, you can add a factory drop-in liner and have it installed by the dealership’s own shop. If you go this route, most dealerships will charge you a portion of the cost of the bed liner and its installation. 

While opting for a dealership-provided bed liner will add to your monthly lease payment, the cost of the liner is only around $300 to $400. When you factor in the costs associated with paying for the rust and damage after your lease expires, paying a little extra each month for the dealer’s bed liner is much more cost-effective. 

In addition to a bed liner, you may be able to add running boards and even a lift to your leased truck. Luckily, I’ve written comprehensive guides on both topics. Click on the links to learn more about the requirements for each one. [Can You Add Running Boards to a Leased Truck?] [Can You Put a Lift on a Leased Truck?]

Types of Bed Liners For Leased Pick-Ups

Regardless of which type you decide on, it’s always important to check your lease or ask your dealership before making any alterations to your leased truck. A truck dealership will likely offer one of two options:

  • Drop-in bed liner. A plastic mold of the bed of your truck is screwed into place and fits perfectly to the truck’s contours.
  • Spray-in bed liner. A coating is applied to the inner shell of your truck’s bed using a liquid form of polyurethane. 

Most dealerships offer both of these options at their own service center, or they can send you to a certified installation company near you that they have vetted and approved. Which option is better, though? 

Factory Drop-In Bed Liners

Because these liners are specifically manufactured based on the make and model of your truck, you almost always have to purchase these from your dealer. Buying a drop-in bed liner from a dealership will cost you anywhere from $300 to $400. 

That said, drop-in bed liners are relatively easy to remove and even easier to install yourself. If you have approval from your dealership to apply a bed liner, here is a video guide to simplify the process:

Since the bed liner is secured with screws placed in various positions around the perimeter of the cargo box, the underlying steel and paint are not entirely protected. Additionally, the sun’s rays can cause dimpling, warping, and shifting of the liner when you add a lot of weight on top. Shifting too much will lead to paint wearing off beneath the liner. Since you lease your vehicle, you must consider the cost of repairing the metal of the truck’s bed.

Spray-In Bed Liners

In recent years, spray-in bed liners have been taking the truck-enthusiast world by storm. Utilizing polyurethane to coat the truck bed protects the steel by offering protection from weather and scratches. They have a reputation for being more expensive than drop-ins. Here is an article from the installation company Line-X that outlines their installation costs for truck bed liners compared to other options.

One significant advantage is that spray-in bed liners are entirely water-tight. That means no risk of water or debris infiltrating the paint below the liner and, therefore, no possibility of rust or corrosion that can cause severe structural issues later on. 

Removing a spray-in bed liner on your own is difficult, time-consuming, and ultimately not worth it. If you lease your truck and don’t follow the dealership’s guidelines on liner application, you would have to remove the spray-in liner and reapply the factory paint before turning the truck back in. Ask your dealership if they work with a spray-in bed liner installation company to avoid any fees or penalties.

Jammin At The Junction Car And Bike Show in Roseville Michigan on 09-26-2020

Protect Your Leased Truck With a Carpet Bed Liner

Since the installation process is similar to drop-in bed liners, your lease agreement may consider carpet bed liners to be an alteration to your truck. It’s important to always refer to your lease. Call the dealership and ask a leasing specialist if carpet bed liners are not mentioned specifically. 

This new option seems to fix all the issues associated with the other two types of bed liners. The BedRug bed liner was the first product to emerge using carpet instead of the more traditional plastic or polyurethane. Other features include:

  • Easy installation. Carpet bed liners are made with a more pliable, workable material and don’t require as much heavy lifting.
  • Non-slip. The friction created by the carpet gives more traction to the items you’re hauling and effectively keep everything more stable.
  • More protective. In the BedRug’s case, the foam used on the underside of the liner protects the paint and keeps the metal from developing rust.
  • No damage to the truck. Perhaps the most stand-out feature of a carpet bed liner is that you can remove it with less damage than a drop-in or spray-in liner.

This video will show you more about what the BedRug bed liner is and how it works:

Conclusion

A bed liner will improve the functionality, appearance, and overall life of your truck’s bed. If your lease agreement allows bed liners, be sure to know all the details about what type of liner is allowed and whether or not you can install it yourself to avoid penalty fees when it’s time to turn your truck back into the dealership.

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