Seeking tips/wisdom for BedRug Installation + Modification

[somecatchyphrase]

Hello esteemed members of the forum.

As my truck build continues I've turned my focus to getting my barren 6.5ft bed dialed in. For me part of that involves a full BedRug. Per usual I found the related threads on the forum very valuable. Alas, I am left with a few questions/clarifications:

• Can/should adhesion promoter be used on the painted surfaces of the bed? I gather it used for spray in bedliners but would using it on the painted surface help the Velcro backing (paint side) be that much more secure?
• It seems that the need for additional Velcro than what is provided is a common theme. In addition to the supplied Velcro what kind of securing strips/tape are the most effective? I'm thinking I will probably need this extra mostly along the entire perimeter of the tailgate and perhaps up the sidewall near the taillights.
  • These seem to come up as frequent recommendations but I am torn, double sided tape vs Velcro (or similar type product)? It seems the foam tape might be lower profile than the Velcro strips, and thus, potentially be a good choice for the tailgate perimeter so less things may get snagged on that transition point (in theory).
    • https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TC16SZ7/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_3?smid=AJ0QRPX8ADNI1&psc=1
    • https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007OXK1AK/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_4?smid=A2CLSPX77ALNG9&psc=1
• Does Velcro adhere to the Bedrug itself? Could I take a strip and would it stick on the bedside carpet? If not, has anyone found a similar product that sticks to the Bedrug?

I tend to be fastidious with stuff like this so If anyone has any tips/wisdom to share from install experiences I would love to hear them.

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[Jeb536]

Take your time, I installed mine behind the bed lights, fasteners and outlet. I wiped the painted surface with rubbing alcohol and the velcro strips provided. I actually have leftover velcro from the project. I changed the velcro process and used one long piece on each side of the bed side next to the tailgate. I'm sure the 3M 2 sided tape would work nice as well but not needed.

I also tried to install the plastic tailgate cover over the rug for a custom look but the edges of the rug curled up so i switched it back and used the bed tailgate screws to hold the rug on the tailgate with an additional strip along the edge. Note, i had to put washers under the tailgate rug so it would lay flat. I don't recommend unless you use spacers under the screws.

 

[rockfish]

I can attest that anything with velcro hooks on it will stick to the bedrug itself. That's not always a good thing as it tends to pull the fibers from the bedrug.

 

[somecatchyphrase]

@Jeb536 Wow yours turned out great, well done. I've noticed in many other pics the bedrug does not contour very well around the bed section near the taillights and yours does. Did you use extra Velcro in that particular section or just what was already on the bedrug? Is this the area you were referencing " I changed the velcro process and used one long piece on each side of the bed side next to the tailgate..."

 

[somecatchyphrase]

I can attest that anything with velcro hooks on it will stick to the bedrug itself. That's not always a good thing as it tends to pull the fibers from the bedrug.

That's a good point about it pulling the fibers from the BedRug. Maybe a different strength/style of Velcro will work? Do you remember what specifically caused the damage? In my mind I had imagined potentially using the BedRug itself as the "hook" end using Velcro strips to attach various items along the sidewall.

 

[Graygoose2021]

If you can leave in the sun some, let it warm up helps lay it down as well.

 

[Jeb536]

@Jeb536 Wow yours turned out great, well done. I've noticed in many other pics the bedrug does not contour very well around the bed section near the taillights and yours does. Did you use extra Velcro in that particular section or just what was already on the bedrug? Is this the area you were referencing " I changed the velcro process and used one long piece on each side of the bed side next to the tailgate..."

Correct, I used one long continues piece on each side

 

[Reverberocket]

Re: adhesion promoter - no, just make sure the surface is clean and use isopropyl or denatured alcohol.

Velcro sticks to the top-side of the bedrug. The bottom side needs the adhesive component. I don't think double-sided tape is necessary. The tailgate section gets the most wind buffeting. I added extra Velcro there.

If you park near trees, some debris will get caught in the top areas of front and back, at cab and tailgate but that has never caused separation. I just vacuum it as needed.

Photo is replacement installed last year (in my 2016). First one lasted 6 years.

One final note, the new Bedrug seems a bit less dense. I noticed this when I went scrubbed a section trying to absorb a small spill.

Youtube might be helpful.

 

[somecatchyphrase]

Hello again all, I've had the Bedrug installed for about a month now. Here are a few notes/observations about the product and install for anyone looking for such info:

• Out of the box I noticed the Bedrug had some HARD creases in it from being rolled so tightly for so long (the stickers on the underside of the Bedrug suggest it had been sitting for about 1.5 years). Unfortunately those creases did not come out with sun/time/additional Velcro. This is a minor critique as 95%+ of the Bedrug ended up laying perfectly as it should. The worst of the creasing is by the driver side wheel well .
• My biggest concern about the potential longevity of the Bedrug comes from an observation when I was initially unrolling it. The product is dense and does not let light through yet as I got to the seamed section between the bed and the tailgate I noticed some inconsistencies with the material. Along this section some areas were dense enough to remain opiate yet light was coming through in other areas along the same stretch. Upon inspection there is less material in these areas which makes it less thick. Time will tell how it holds up. With the product installed you cannot notice any difference.
  
• I purchased additional Velcro to use with the install. I made extra effort to get the Bedrug as tight fitting/conforming to the contours of the bed as I reasonably could so I was very generous with my use of Velcro. Most of the extra Velcro was used along the tailgate section, the "end" of the Bedrug near the taillights, and along the bulkhead. I used 3M dual lock fasteners. That product is awesome, There was a noticeable difference in how much force it required to remove the included fasteners vs the 3m version. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007OXK1AK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
  • It would be nice if the product came with additional long lengths of Velcro that could be custom cut as desired by the customer. Regardless, the Bedrug does come with enough Velcro to successfully complete a solid install, this is just me being extra because that's just how I roll.
• I ran an entire straight run of the included Velcro along the top and middle of the bulkhead side and used the included 2in strips along the bottom. It turned out nice and tight.
  
• I used the extra 3m fasteners mostly for additional coverage along the tailgate end and for the run near the headlights.
  
• I had some difficulty disconnecting the power panel connection. I ended up cutting the ziptie on the anchor holding it in place, this gave the cable enough wiggle room to let me get my non-dexterous fingers around the clamp to disconnect. I used a new ziptie to rehang the cable after the cutting was done.
• 
  
  
• The Bedrug has been in my open bed for about a month now. It has seen the worst of pollen season, heavy furniture/appliances ~gently~ moved across it (being extra careful along the tailgate seam), many rainstorms, yard debris, sandy feet, etc. It has held up fine. I have a bed cover on the way and should be installed within the next few weeks but based on what I have observed so far I would have no reservation about leaving the Bedrug in an open bed long term.
• It is definitely best to take the time to completely remove the tie down hardware and reinstall once the incisions for the bolts to pass through are made. The hardware on top of the bedrug really helps secure the bedrug and keep it tight/conforming to the bed.
• I left the hardware bolts sticking out about 1 inch and firmly pressed the bedrug against the head of the screws to make an imprint in the backside of the bedrug, this allowed me to make accurate cuts.
• My truck did not come with the boxlink cleats. I purchased the after market version from Builtright Industries.
• I put anti seize on all the bolt threads before reinstalling. The day after the install I made use of the tie down cleats and Builtright boxlink replacements many times over that day. By the end of the day I noticed most all the screws securing the hardware had loosened significantly. Friendly reminder to check your torque on these load bearing bolts routinely. Perhaps it was user error at the time of reinstallation but since the 2nd retightening the tie down locations have not needed adjustment.
• I've been using a vacuum on the Bedrug and its been working great. I have not yet needed to pressure wash or do anything more abrasive.

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