Best Tailgate Bike Pad: Comparison Table & Reviews

BIKE TAILGATE PADS COMPARISON

MOUNTAIN BIKE TAILGATE PADS REVIEWS

DAKINE Pickup Pad

Great Construction and Price

PROS: – Durable – Well padded – Outer part is very good at repelling water – Straps are sturdy – Easy to put in and off – Microfiber lining keeps my truck clean and scratch-free – Well priced

CONS: – Faded and worn a little after 1 year – No locking option

DAKINE Pickup Pad DLX

Best for Trucks with Tailgate Backup Camera

PROS: – Quick and easy install – Simple and very effective – Ample access for the tailgate backup camera – Outer material is weather/water resistant – Holds bikes firmly in place – Built really well

CONS: – Tie-down loops don’t have enough velcro to cinch down on the down tube of a road bike – Anti-theft corner is made of thin material – Tailgate camera flap catches wind when it’s up

DAKINE HalfSide Pickup Pad

Affordable All-Size Trucks Tailgate Pad

PROS: – Fits well in all-size trucks – Straps cinch down tightly and easily around the tailgate – Grommet to secure your pad and bikes to the truck for peace of mind – Tie-down straps hold the bikes in place very well – No scratches from the soft side touching the truck – Affordable

CONS: – Doesn’t have access to the tailgate camera

DAKINE Pickup Pad DLX Curve

Best Tailgate Pad for Up to Seven bikes

PROS: – Stays in place during use – Easy to install and take off – Durable and well constructed – Working well for 2 bikes – Super easy to use

CONS: – The tailgate camera isn’t low enough for some tailgate cameras – End loops are too close to the sides, making the bike lean when strapped in – Velcro straps don’t have enough binding contact area for a narrower frame

Yakima GateKeeper Tailgate Pad

Very Large Tailgate Camera/Handle Opening

PROS: – Let you lock it and bike to the truck – Easy to put the bike in and remove – Keeps the bikes secure – Extra-large opening for the tailgate camera and drop handle

CONS: – Multiple users said that the velcro is weak or started failing after months of use – Frame cushions where you place your bikes tore after just one season of use

Thule GateMate Pro Tailgate Pad

Best for Large Number of Bikes (up to 8)

PROS: – Easy install – Bikes don’t move at all, even at highway speeds with backroads and bumps – Vinyl is nice compared to some of the soft fabric ones

CONS: – Top is just foam-filled pillows and not squared rubber as in the photos – Bumpers are smaller in reality compared to the illustration – No 90-degree bend at the top, so it curves over the tailgate, causing slipping

RACE FACE T2 Tailgate Pad

Best Overall Tailgate Pad

PROS: – Unobstructed tailgate camera – Video install instructions – Lots of extra padding where it’s needed  – Keeps bikes snug with the channels between pads – Grommets allow for securing the pad and bikes to the truck

CONS: – Straps that go under the tailgate does not have an extra length – E-bikes and fat-tire mountain bikes don’t fit as snug and securely as I would like

Backcountry Getaway Goat Tailgate Pad

Adjustable Tailgate Camera/Handle Opening

PROS: – Easy to install – Durable – Adjustable tailgate camera and handle opening – Storage pocket – Top-notch construction and materials

CONS: – Straps are not fat down tubes friendly

EVOC Tailgate Pad

Best for Durability

PROS: – Easy to install – Quick-release steel buckles – Incredible build quality – Hold bikes securely

CONS: – Tailgate handle and the camera doesn’t go low – Velcro straps are a little small for some thicker downtubes

TAILGATE BIKE PAD BUYING GUIDE

SECURITY

The best tailgate bike pad is one that stays firm on your tailgate and holds your bike, or bikes, without knocking at the tailgate to not harm your truck.

FIT

In order to make sure if a tailgate pad will fit your truck or not is to measure the width of your tailgate and compare it with the manufacturer-provided width.

Sometimes, some truck manufacturers recommend some products that they see will fit their vehicles.

Tailgates usually come in two sizes:

• Small Tailgate Pads: These fits small and mid-size trucks and can hold up to 5 bikes.
• Large Tailgate Pads: These are unique for full-size trucks and can hold up to 8 bikes.
• Mini Tailgate Pads: These are generally cheap, they fit all-size trucks because they are smaller than all tailgates and can hold up to 2 bikes. For example, DAKINE HalfSide pickup pad.

DURABILITY

Durability is another important factor to consider while buying because trucks’ tailgate pads are exposed to harsh elements like soaking rain, glaring sun, and high temperatures.

An example of a durable tailgate pad material is the high-quality vinyl, which makes the pad heavy-duty and long-lasting.

EASE OF USE

Because the majority of tailgate bike pad users take off their pad when not in use in order to prevent theft, your tailgate pad choice should be easy to install and remove.

For that, think of where and how the locking and strapping mechanisms function

Another feature that is responsible for how easy to use a tailgate pad is how large the tailgate backup camera window, larger ones are better.

PADDING

Padding is what prevent having a dented bike frame.

Heavy-duty materials, such as polyester and nulons, are durable and lightweight at the same time.

Tailgate bike pad lining is also something that helps prevent getting scratches on your truck paint.

STRAPS

Your bikes should be fastened securely to your truck tailgate, and in an upright and stationary position at all times in order to not slide, fall off and stays seperate to each other.

This is why you the best tailgate bike pad have long lasting and long enough straps that holds your bikes downtube in order to keep the bikes in place.

FAQ

WHAT IS A TAILGATE PAD ?

Tailgate pads are a large rectangular, thick and foam-filled pads that fold over and attach to your truck tailgate.

Tailgate pads protect both your bikes and your truck from scratches, dents, and paintwork damage by creating a barrier between them.

With that, tailgate bike pads are essential for people wanting to keep the resale value of their bikes and truck.

CAN I CARRY OTHER THINGS ON MY TAILGATE PAD?

Of course, some tailgate bike pads have pockets that let you carry small items and the padding on most of them let you carry your surfboard or hard SUP.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF A TAILGATE PAD WILL FIT INTO MY TRUCK TAILGATE?

This is easy, all you have to do is to check the dimensions of your truck tailgate using a measuring tape and compare them to the manufacturer product given specifiations.

WHAT IS THE BEST TAILGATE BIKE PAD?

The best tailgate bike pad for me is Yakima GateKeeper Tailgate Pad because its weather-resistant, feature a very large backup camera and handle opening and have soft Velcro closures that are compatible with carbon bikes.

HOW DO I INSTALL A TAILGATE PAD?

There is no single method to install a tailgate pad because different brands makes different pads designs. But most tailgate bike pads can be installed this way:

1. Lay down your truck tailgate.
2. Place your tailgate pad on it and feed the long straps between the bed and the tailgate of your truck.
3. Pull tightly the tailgate pad long straps after looping them through their buckles.
4. Now close your taigate and tighten the straps.

Updated on March 16, 2022 by Ben