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Universal Cargo Liners | The One-Size-Fits-All Protection Solution

From oil to ice cream, cargo area spills and stains can occur in an instant. Here, we examine cargo liners and trunk mats that form a barrier against these perils.
Universal Cargo Liners | The One-Size-Fits-All Protection Solution

Yard work. Transporting furniture during a move. Carrying snowboards and other sporting gear. Bringing car parts home from the junkyard. Home projects that require various materials. Hauling junk items to the town dump. Ensuring needs for small children or teenagers are always met. These are just some of the things we do that can easily leave a ground-in mess all over the cargo floor of our cars and trucks.

Spills and stains that are hard to get out can happen in an instant, in ways that catch us off guard completely. All it takes is one leaking container of milk or olive oil from the grocery store. Or, exasperated and in a bad mood after changing a flat tire, you throw the disabled wheel in the trunk (dirty side down) before thinking about the permanent marks that will result.

Trunk Area Filled With Stuff
WeatherTech Cargo Liner In Use

If you can relate to any of those ways we carry our lives with us, odds are you know how quickly the back of a new vehicle can start to resemble the back of an old one with six figures on the odometer. When all is said and done, there's no denying the value of protection for the cargo floors of our vehicles. To this end, we offer a number of excellent cargo liners and trunk mats that protect your factory carpeting by containing spills and messes without letting them seep through.

A "Universal Fit" Cargo Mat May Be Your Best Choice

On the right-hand top corner of each product page, you'll see a notation that reads either "Vehicle Specific" or "Universal Fit". Vehicle-specific means a cargo mat has been purpose-built to fit the exact trunk contours of specific year, make, and model vehicles. Universal-fit cargo mats are not designed with any specific vehicle in mind, and usually have generic rectangular or square shapes which can easily be trimmed.

Vehicle Specific / Universal Fit Options

It would be natural to assume that a custom-fitting "vehicle specific" cargo mat is the best way to go. While they do have their advantages, vehicle specific mats can become a liability if you would like to be able to transfer the mat between multiple vehicles you own. And because cargo mats we sell are extremely durable, any of them can easily last a long time. So if you lease a new vehicle every two to three years, the mat shaped for the trunk of your current car may not fit well in the next three or four vehicles you bring home.

Perhaps no one makes a vehicle specific, custom-fitting trunk mat for your particular make and model. Whatever your situation is, we've still got you covered for trunk protection. In this article, we'll look at universal fit cargo mats that offer the best value at surprising prices without compromising on quality or protection.

Cargo "Liners" Vs. Cargo "Mats"

You will come across "cargo liner" and "cargo mat" terms when looking at any cargo floor protectors. In short, a cargo liner typically provides more complete floor coverage with a raised lip around some or all of its sides. That raised lip may extend an inch or several inches up onto the cargo walls. Cargo mats have little or no lips around the edges, and they may not cover as much of the floor area. Both cargo liners and mats can feature grooved ridges, cups, or other compartments to trap solid and liquid spills, or the top surface may be smooth and flat. That surface may also simulate carpeting or a soft blanket.

Universal Fit Cargo Mats We Offer

Weathertech AVM Cargo Mat
Weathertech's AVM Cargo Mat.

Weathertech's rubber AVM Cargo Mat (available in tan, gray, or black) comes in dimensions of 53" x 36", and features three different sets of markings that can serve as a guide for trimming off excess. Use those demarcations, or cut wherever you need to for a custom fit. Minimum size before cutting into the raised lip is 41" x 27.5". Raised bumps help prevent cargo from shifting.

Michelin EdgeLiner And Rubber Queen Flat Edges Cargo Mats
The Michelin EdgeLiner All-Weather Rubber Cargo Liner (left), and the Rubber Queen Flat Edges Cargo Mat (right).

We've got a number of additional mats with pliable rubber construction, all of which can be trimmed relatively easily. There's the 24" x 36.5" Michelin EdgeLiner All-Weather Rubber Cargo Liner (black only) with pockets and criss-crossing grooves to catch spillage. The Rubber Queen Flat Edges Cargo Mat (black or gray) is offered in one 48" x 32" size and features side-to-side grooves. Additionally, Pilot offers two sizes of their Heavy Duty Rubber Cargo Mat (black only) in dimensions of either 39" x 22" or 18" x 37".

Plasticolor Cargo Mat With Harley-Davidson Logo
The Plasticolor Rubber Cargo Mat with Harley-Davidson Logo.

If you're a Harley-Davidson fan, take a look at the Plasticolor rubber Cargo Mat with Harley-Davidson Logo (black only) that measures 30" x 35".

FanMats Vinyl Cargo Mats With Different Logos
The FanMats Heavy Duty Vinyl Cargo Mat.

The FanMats Heavy Duty Vinyl Cargo Mat offers the distinction of durable color logos bonded onto the surface of the mat. For no extra cost, you can select insignias of your choice from U.S. military branches, pro sports teams, colleges, and even Ford Motor Company registered logos. This mat comes in a square shape that measures 31" x 31". The vinyl material can easily be trimmed to any shape and size necessary.

Lund Cargo-Logic Cargo Liner
The Lund Cargo-Logic Cargo Liner.

If you prefer the ability to keep your cargo secured in place, we've got Lund's thermoplastic Cargo-Logic Cargo Liner with a looped, carpet-like surface that serves as a Velcro base for 4 L-shaped "cargo lok" pieces that adhere wherever you place them. These liners are available in your choice of three different sizes: 20"x36", 30"x36", and 42"x36". This liner is impervious to water, and can be cleaned off by rinsing with a hose.

Covercraft Universal-Fit Cargo Area Liner
The Covercraft Universal-Fit Cargo Area Liner.

Covercraft's Universal-Fit Cargo Area Liner is not trimmable, but is made from a soft polyester fabric that can be rolled up along the edges in order to fit any surface. It secures in place over rear seat headrests, and offers the additional advantage of providing coverage for your second row seatbacks whether they are up or down. This will protect your vehicle interior from the countless dirt and grease stains that always seem to rub off when sliding heavy, cumbersome objects in and out.

Covercraft Universal-Fit Cargo Area Liner Installed
Covercraft's Universal-Fit Cargo Area Liner secures to headrests, and to D-ring hooks in the cargo area.

A waterproof urethane coating makes this an excellent choice for carrying pets, and its padded nature lets you transport delicate items without worry about breakage. Three size choices (48"x52", 60"x64", and 62"x66") are available in gray or tan. Because it's waterproof, the Covercraft liner can be cleaned with a hose just as easily as any rubber or vinyl mat.

Pet Pad Cargo Protector
The Pet Pad Cargo Protector, with reversible lining.

If carrying pets in the back of your SUV or van is something you do regularly, you'll also appreciate the universal-fit 40"x32" Pet Pad Cargo Protector. With a reversible bottom section, it's literally two cargo liners in one. One side features a padded, soft polyester quilt that keeps pets comfortable, and the other side is a smooth vinyl backing layer that's waterproof and can be cleaned easily with a hose.

Cargo Liners Mats Related Articles

We invite you to read our related articles regarding cargo liners and mats. What Are The Advantages In Using A Cargo Liner? takes a more in-depth look at cargo liner materials as well as different vehicle-specific products. Our glossary provides clear definitions and pictures for terminology you'll come across, and our Cargo Liner Material article compares vinyl mats to carpeted ones. Remember that depending on your circumstances, a universal-fit cargo mat or liner may still be your best choice!

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