The Best Tailgate Bike Pad
Race Face T2 Tailgate Pad
The Race Face T2 is one of the few tailgate pads that delivers what it boasts.
A six-bike carrying capacity, ample bike spacing, and frame protection during off-road expeditions for which you would have a truck in the first place.
Beginning with the construction, it has the off-road style rugged tarpaulin where the front wheels make contact and a soft fabric lining on the inside to protect the paint of the truck.
Inside the truck bed, there are raised sections that act as cradles for the down tube and hold them in place providing enough spacing between the bikes.
The same padding is found on the outside to protect the front fork from rubbing on the truck.
Race Face T2 is compatible with most trucks including Ford trucks and Rams.
There’s a cutout for the rearview camera and tailgate handle and the pad also has straps along the top edge to widen or shorten the thickness of the top edge to conform to different tailgate edges.
Four nylon straps wrap around the tailgate and hold the tailgate pad tightened. Apart from the raised cradles, there are nylon straps to hold the downtubes in position.
Race Face has tried to provide the ultimate tailgate pad that can be switched between trucks, but its use is limited to round traditional downtubes.
E-bikes don’t fit inside the cradles and all the straps and stitching can be the cause of wear and tear when cornering sharp turns and swaying on offroad tracks.
Overall, it is the best large-capacity tailgate pad for a variety of trucks.
Pros
- Rugged tarpaulin and PVC construction
- Soft lining on the inside
- Multiple straps and cradles for bikes
- Straps to adjust the top edge
- Locking cable guide
- Carries up to six bikes
- Rearview camera opening
- Compatible with multiple trucks
Cons
- Stitching and straps can be the first breaking point
- Lacks e-bike compatibility.
- Camera cutout has been known to scratch the paint on some trucks
Bomber Strap Tailgate Bike Pad
The bomber strap is a revolutionary product that answers the question many truck owners’ have had regarding getting their bike onto the back of their truck.
Tailgate pads don’t have to be large, or bulky and cover the entire tailgate for carrying a single bike or two bikes at most.
The bomber strap is a tailgate pad designed by a truck owner and mountain biker, so you know it’ll be the most purposeful pad in the market.
The bomber strap is small, easy to store and install, and has a single strap that goes around the tailgate and secures itself tightly.
There are two inches of foam padding and the exterior is made from military-grade ballistic nylon to withstand all the ablation.
The patch contacting the truck is made from soft-lined fabric and there are two round foam cradles for the downtube and the front fork, so the bike will never move from its place.
In addition, the two retention straps can be easily adjusted along the length of the pad and there’s a tiny pocket built into the bomber strap for storing any snacks or cards.
The bomber strap is rugged, and small and provides an aesthetic that is unmatched by any other tailgate pad.
There’s no blocking the camera or taking up more space than necessary.
The front wheel is kept at least three inches away from the tailgate at all times and there’s an extra strap that holds the handlebar to the side for added safety. It’s the best tailgate pad for solo riders and mountain bikers.
Pros
- Ballistic nylon construction
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Great for a single bike
- Rearview camera access
- Doesn’t cover the entire liftgate
- Retention cradles
- Quick install
- Compatible with all trucks
- Built tough and rugged
Cons
- There’s a little slack in the strap
- Expensive
- Not ideal for carrying multiple bikes
- Stitching can be the first thing to tear after extensive use
Yakima GateKeeper
This is a tailgate pad designed to haul up to 6 bikes.
Unlike other tailgate pads, it has a unique construction and material choice that makes it stand the test of time.
Installation is simple with three straps that wrap around your tailgate and keep the pad lined on the tailgate.
The tailgate pad has a vinyl-coated nylon exterior that can withstand abrasions and weather elements.
Inside there is soft padding and individual cradles for the downtubes of each bike.
To mount bikes onto the bike rack, simply load them into your truck bed with the front fork hanging out and the down tube secured inside the cradles with tie-down straps.
The tailgate pad works well and the only critique we were able to find was how easily you could steal bikes from this rack, but that could be fixed using cable locks.
Pros
- Carries up to 5 bikes
- Comes in large and medium sizes depending on the tailgate size
- Vinyl-coated tarpaulin exterior
- Soft fabric on the inside that protects the paint
- Easy to install
Cons
- Lacks security
You may like our article on How to Choose the Best Tailgate Pad