[Bikeworks]

I'm not a fan of tailgate pads, really.

I used one once on a shuttle (not my truck) and my bike got dinged up bouncing against another bike. The truck we were using was a bit of a beater, so no real worries about dust getting trapped between the pad and the truck.

I bought a truck recently and even though a tailgate pad is cheapish, I'm not going to trash the paint on a brand new $40k truck. Pretty much all my trailheads are off of gravel FS roads, or are gravel lots themselves, so dust is a fact of life. I don't want to be giving my truck a scrubdown with a scotch brite pad every time I go for a ride.

For now, I'm using fork mounts on a piece of wood. I've got a shorty 5' bed, so it's not ideal. Longer bikes have to angle back there to fit. But it works and nothing gets banged up.


0503201549_HDR by Nate, on Flickr

I am using a similar method It's cheap, you can set it up how you want (I have L brackets on the wood that fits between the tailgate and bed), and it works really well. Also, it's easily removable.

 

[Harold]

Is it no longer possible to back up a vehicle without a camera or sensors? How do people with trucks even tow trailers any more?

Visibility around my '19 Ranger is definitely worse than older trucks I've driven. The camera in the back is a huge help, and I'm considering adding another for the front.

 

[291748]

I haven't looked into tailgate pads because I assume bikes with cantilever brakes aren't compatible, and we're still running three MTBs with cantis in my family.

The cantilever "arms" would stick out too far, wouldn't they?

Would take about about 1 minute to test it. Probably less.

Is it no longer possible to back up a vehicle without a camera or sensors? How do people with trucks even tow trailers any more?

LOL right? Probably correlates with how so many people can't drive a standard these days.

My kid got his license 2 months ago and and can handle a trailer with my Suburban (no camera, blacked out rear glass) no problem. And drive a stick like a pro of course.

 

[TheBaldBlur]

Do the tailgate pads with the segmented blocks for the downtube make a significant improvement in lateral movement (or lack thereof!) vs those that are just straps only?

 

[dsciulli19]

Highly recommend a hitch rack of some type. I have a Yakima HoldUp 2-bike tray style rack that I got for cheap but would consider a Oneup for my next one. If you plan on carrying more than 4 bikes you're into a vertical hitch rack as some have mentioned. I've also seen some "over the bed" style racks that look pretty good as well. The value of having the truck bed open for other gear cannot be understated.

-DS

 

[Pasta4lnch]

Do the tailgate pads with the segmented blocks for the downtube make a significant improvement in lateral movement (or lack thereof!) vs those that are just straps only?

nominal - well maybe. I got the race face one. Had high hopes for it because I can use it when I take my camper. My 2019 Ram just has too thick of a tailgate. Bikes constantly fall over. My fat bike never really feels seated in it. Paint was wearing away where it touches. I think it might be dependent on the tailgate. My father in-law just got a 150. I 'm eager to see if there is any difference.

for what it's worth I'll use mine w the kids bikes but I got a 1up for my fatty - put a 2" receiver on the bumper of my camper...

oh - and my race face is nearly impossible to put on solo. I usually throw one of my kids in the bed to grab the short floppy straps I'd need 6' arms to get. lol.

 

[1Scorpion]

I’m currently using a tailgate pad . However I’m going to get a hitch rack. Problem I have with the tailgate pad is the hight of our truck. We have a F250 4X4 . I’m too short to lift the bike over the side or the tailgate in the closed position. I have to open the tailgate put the bike in . Then climb into the truck close the gate then secure the bike. Unloading is almost the same process. After a go ride when I’m tired it seems worse. So I’m currently shopping for a good but affordable hitch rack.

 

[Pasta4lnch]

I’m currently using a tailgate pad . However I’m going to get a hitch rack. Problem I have with the tailgate pad is the hight of our truck. We have a F250 4X4 . I’m too short to lift the bike over the side or the tailgate in the closed position. I have to open the tailgate put the bike in . Then climb into the truck close the gate then secure the bike. Unloading is almost the same process. After a go ride when I’m tired it seems worse. So I’m currently shopping for a good but affordable hitch rack.

Good point - while I'm tall enough, my kids bikes weigh a TON and trying to wrangle them in or out without scratching my car is a challenge...

 

[Suns_PSD]

Tailgate pads work great and mine lives on my truck. No damage to the bike or truck, cheap, super easy to load, no danger to the bikes from crashes or garages & easy to lock up the bikes.

One downside, maybe 2: Looks like crap & I had to trim mine to have a view from my backup camera.

I'd kill for a factory truck option that had rubberized material on the tailgate color matched, an angled soft edge built in to the top of the tailgate, and some metal swing over locks to go over the top of the bike frame to assist with theft prevention.

 

[reddingnative]

I use an old evoc pad on my f250 for local trips, if we are doing shuttles or taking buddies I have a 5bike recon rack. The tailgate pad is easy, but definitely rubs the bikes paint in spots and they shift around. I leave it on in the summer if I’m riding a lot, I can still open the tailgate with it, but definitely makes it harder to load things in the bed. I have a family of 5, otherwise I love the one-up.

I run into the same issues as you guys when going camping. I take a 14” trailer with all our gear/motos etc. Bikes ride on the tailgate because I can’t use the rack. I used to get by with a extra hitch adapter to use the recon rack plus tow my 8” utility trailer, but the new trailer is too heavy.

 

[Hit Factor]

.. . Then climb into the truck close the gate then secure the bike. Unloading is almost the same process. ..

Yakima pad.

We use a small step ladder (3 step) with our F350.

My wife climbs in at the tailgate. I lift the bikes up and into the bed then close tailgate. I'll move the ladder to the side while she lifts front wheels over tailgate. She climbs down while a fasten straps on the bikes.

She isn't strong enough to lift our mountain bikes up to the 1up rack. We use the 1up primarily on the back of our 26' camper. 2 road bikes, 2 MTB.

Typical camper bumpers are no where strong enough for a bolt on receiver and a fully loaded 1up super duty. My son is a steel fabricator and we replaced the rear bumper with some structural steel and a receiver.

 

[1Scorpion]

I ride alone. My wife has no interest in mountain biking. So for me it’s a one man operation.
We’re currently staying at a RV park near some trails that I can ride to. But I do enjoy exploring trails that I haven’t ridden on .

 

[Pasta4lnch]

Tailgate pads work great and mine lives on my truck. No damage to the bike or truck, cheap, super easy to load, no danger to the bikes from crashes or garages & easy to lock up the bikes.

You leave it on the truck? I couldn't do it anyway as it impedes w my tonneau cover, but I would think rain would cause some moisture issues?

 

[Hit Factor]

You leave it on the truck? I couldn't do it anyway as it impedes w my tonneau cover, but I would think rain would cause some moisture issues?

Like what issues? The tailgate is made to be in weather. I live in a rural county, most of my driving is 50+ mph. It seems to always be dry.

The inside of the Yakima pad is a synthetic fur like surface, cut short, maybe 3/8".

 

[Pasta4lnch]

Like what issues? The tailgate is made to be in weather. I live in a rural county, most of my driving is 50+ mph. It seems to always be dry.

The inside of the Yakima pad is a synthetic fur like surface, cut short, maybe 3/8".

ok, makes sense. My race face has a felt-like back to it...never thought to leave it out in the rain. Plus I assumed someone would walk off w it but thats me being cynical lol...might be useful on camping trips to just leave it on because its so damned hard to put it in w the tiny straps etc.

 

[abeckstead]

Yakima pad about 8 months old, none of the Velcro straps stick together anymore. I have to use zip ties to hold the straps in place. Live in the hills and drive crooked Mt roads, can’t have our bikes banging into each other. I have a Kuat rack I keep on my car, I prefer that over this trash Yakima pad.

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[Hit Factor]

Yakima pad about 8 months old, none of the Velcro straps stick together anymore. I have to use zip ties to hold the straps in place. Live in the hills and drive crooked Mt roads, can’t have our bikes banging into each other. I have a Kuat rack I keep on my car, I prefer that over this trash Yakima pad.

There must two different models, my Yakima pad doesn't look anything like that and I think our pads is two years old now. Straps all work fine.

 

[abeckstead]

There must two different models, my Yakima pad doesn't look anything like that and I think our pads is two years old now. Straps all work fine.

This is the one I have Yakima GateKeeper

 

[d365]

I have the Gatekeeper too. Mines still great (5+ yrs), but I only use it for trips with multiple people, and I don't leave it on permanently. It probably only gets used a couple of times a month at most. I still think it is one of the better designed pads on the market.

Solo, I just use a folded up beach towel, piece of pipe insulation, and a bungee (unless I'm traveling a long distance). Beach towel does double duty for changing clothes post ride.

Velcro is always a weak link, though. I have some TLD shorts, that cost almost as much as this tailgate pad, and the velcro waist adjuster straps won't work after a year, making them useless and unwearable.

 

[abeckstead]

I have the Gatekeeper too. Mines still great (5+ yrs), but I only use it for trips with multiple people, and I don't leave it on permanently. It probably only gets used a couple of times a month at most. I still think it is one of the better designed pads on the market.

Solo, I just use a folded up beach towel, piece of pipe insulation, and a bungee (unless I'm traveling a long distance). Beach towel does double duty for changing clothes post ride.

Velcro is always a weak link, though. I have some TLD shorts, that cost almost as much as this tailgate pad, and the velcro waist adjuster straps won't work after a year, making them useless and unwearable.

180 rides so far this year and almost always have someone with me. I liked how big the pads were where the downtube rests just disappointing the straps gave up months ago.


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