Tub Liners in Utes are not a good idea.
Submitted: Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 20:27
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I'd just like to share this with prospective Ute Owners.
I don't like the things for two reasons
1. They reduce the cargo area
2. I've held a suspicion that they must cause rust. This was based on my opinion that condensation must form and without adequate breathing the moisture would be contained between the liner and the metal of
the tub.
We recently had a customer who decided to rip out his tub liner in order that he could get a bigger set of drawers in the back of his ute. The Ute was just two years old and rust had begun.
Jim.
Reply By: D200Dug- Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 21:51
Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 21:51
I use one of those particle rubber mats made from recycled tyres.
It lets air flow in and allows the tray to dry.
After 6 months I pulled it out to clean it today and found the beginnings of surface rust underneath it.
Given it had been in a heavy salt water environment that is not all that surprising I guess but it does reinforce that you need to
check and clean every now and again.
Cleaned dried and coated with lanolin I will be keeping and eye on that area in future !
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Follow Up By: Krakka - Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 23:06
Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 at 23:06
Rubber is VERY abrasive, vibration or slippage of rubber against paint will soon wear the paint off. I used to work in rubber extrusion and you wouldn't believe how fast the rubber extrusion wore steel dies away.
Personally I would have a Rhino Lining sprayed in a ute if I had one. Absolute guaranteed not to peel or let moisture get between the liner and the ute body.
Regards
Krakka
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Reply By: Member - Bucky - Saturday, Dec 26, 2009 at 05:56
Saturday, Dec 26, 2009 at 05:56
Jim
We had a Navara twin cab ute for 5 years with a liner in it, and never once had a problem. And I was told that I was mad for getting a liner in it when I ordered it, for that reason.
Mind you I did regularly
check out the drain holes, up the front of the tray, and made sure they were never blocked.
Another trick I employed was that I tried not to park her up on flat ground for too too many days in a row, making sure that she had a chance to drain.
Cheers Bucky
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Reply By: arjay - Saturday, Dec 26, 2009 at 21:17
Saturday, Dec 26, 2009 at 21:17
JIm,
From my experience, I'll have to disagree on this one. I was told the same (possibility of rust) when I fitted my a tub-liner to my new Triton (2000). After removing the liner 9 years later (to clean out the red dust) not even a hint of rust was found.
The ute does have a canopy which may help minimise the possibility of condensation.
Also for the small amount of space I lose I would rather have the liner as it makes loading and unloading easier (for us unfortunates without Best-Off-Road drawer systems).
Rob
ps 'best' wishes with those drawers of yours
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