What Dump Truck Bed Liners Are Made Of

Day in and day out, dump trucks and their operators pick up, transport, and deposit a multitude of different materials between various job sites. Whether it’s dirt, steel, or hot asphalt being moved, the bed of the dump truck needs to be able to handle it. This leads many professionals to wonder the following: What is a dump truck bed liner made of? After all, hauling around high-density and possibly high-temperature materials can cause a significant amount of damage to the interior of the bed. This can ultimately reduce its overall effectiveness and make it more difficult for dump truck operators to dump all the materials in a timely manner. Fortunately, advancements in truck bed liner material technology have made most of these concerns a thing of the past. Learn what dump truck bed liners are made of and why they work so well.

Traditional Dump Truck Bed Liner Materials

Before we can understand what different types of bed liners work best, it’s important to have an idea of what isn’t as effective. Traditionally, many liners were made from thick steel or aluminum that was carefully bent to fit snugly in the bed of a standard dump truck. While it definitely helped protect the bed from short-term damage, neither was resistant to tearing or puncturing under prolonged stress. Additionally, these materials were thick and heavy, which not only affected how much a standard load weighed but also reduced the truck’s maximum haul capacity. These older liners were harder to maintain as well, reducing the available time operators had for deliveries. Essentially, they provided only a temporary solution to a set of recurring problems without being a long-term solution that a quality dump truck bed liner could provide.

Ideal Dump Truck Liner Materials

Now, if you’re wondering what current truck bed liners are made of, you’ll want to know about ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, or UHMW-PE—otherwise known as heavy-duty plastic. This material allows the liner to mold better to the inside of the truck bed and provide a better surface to keep materials from sticking. While it might initially seem that steel would be a better protector against abrasive materials, UHMW-PE, when combined with other substances, provides increased reinforcement against abrasive materials. In fact, this plastic is often infused with a combination of other materials, such as glass and silicone, to achieve different effects. Truck bed liner materials with silicone additives are most effective at handling high-temperature and sticky materials, while infused glass helps increase overall abrasion and impact resistance. So, it’s just a matter of finding the dump truck bed liner model that works well with what you’re transporting. At Linings Inc., you’ll find a variety of high-quality dump truck bed liners ready for use with all sorts of materials, including our Quicksilver, Haulk, Durapro, and HMW-PE liners. Get in touch with us if you're looking for a more in-depth answer to the question of what a truck bed liner is made of.