Have you ever needed to transport your bike on your truck's back but end up scratching both the paint and the bike? Does the bicycle shift around while driving, and you have to keep it in place by tying it with an endless amount of ropes? Maybe you need to transport more than one cycle in a single trip?
The best mountain bike tailgate pad is the solution to your problems!
With a pickup pad, you'll be able to haul more than one bike without worrying that they are secure or might scratch your truck. Tailgate pads offer ample padding and, most times, far less than what you'd need to buy rope or pay for respraying. However, it can be a little tricky to find the best tailgate bike pads.
In this article, we've come up with the top tailgate bicycle pad to consider getting for your bikes. These pickup pads are universal and will work with any bike from mountain bikes, road, hybrid, and fixies. Moreover, they'll fit on the tailgates of most trucks and give you no hassle to install.
7 Best Bike Tailgate Pads:
- Dakine Tailgate Pickup Pad - Best Overall
- Fox Racing Bike Tailgate Pad - Best for Mountain Bikes
- Thule TailGate Mate - Best for Thick Tailgates
- Surf to Summit Bicycle Tailgate Pads - Best For Reverse Camera Visibility
- RaceFace Tailgate Pads - Best For Mountain Bikes
- EVOC Unisex Bike Tailgate pad - Best in Durability
- Swagman Tailwhip Cover - Best Budget Option
Dakine Tailgate Cover Review
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We know and love Dakine as it is one of the first companies that came up with the tailgate pad idea. As a result of being one of the first movers in the industry, they know the needs and requirements of what makes a pickup pad the best amongst competitors.
The material of the black variant is super high-quality 1000D polyester. This fabric is very durable. It will not tear easily and can repel water on top of being abrasion-resistant. We consider 1000D polyester as a rugged material that is ideal for making pads and mats.
We love the padding and its high-density foam. This way, your bikes nor your pickup gets damaged while transporting them. There is a tailgate flap so that you undisturbed access to the backup camera at all times.
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Fox Racing Tailgate Cover Review
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Although most tailgate covers come in two sizes, they might not fit some trucks. Seeing this particular issue that many other brands could not address, Fox Racing took the opportunity. They designed a tailgate cover that can fit almost every pickup truck in existence. The larger size measures 62 inches while the smaller variant is 54 inches.
We love the premium padding on this cover. The cushions serve as a protective layer between your bike and tailgate. If you do not want your bikes to rub and knock against your tailgate, the Fox Racing tailgate cover will make sure the paint does not chip off due to constant contact.
This tailgate cover is best for mountain biking trips. The six webbing straps will hold up to six bikes and help make your way to a new adventure.
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Thule Gate Mate - Best Tailgate Bike Pad for Thick Tailgates
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There are two features on this tailgate pad that makes it stand out from the competitors. One is the Knock-Blocks TM that make sure that your bike stays in one place once you strap it down. There will be no sliding or shifting in your truck.
Another thing we love about this product is the Handle Hood TM. Are you worried you might need to remove the whole item to gain access to the tailgate handle? Well, with the Thule Gate Mate, you can open the door with ease.
We all want a pickup pad to power through and last come wind, rain, or sun. The extra durable vinyl outer material will take care of this need. We know vinyl to be an extremely durable material resistant to almost all kinds of wear and tear.
This extra-large tailgate can hold up to seven bikes for transport. There are two pockets on the pad's inner side where you can store anything you want, from shoes to bottles and gear.
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Surf to Summit tailgate Protectors - Best Tailgate Pad for Reverse Camera Visibility
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The Surf to Summit tailgate pad comes in two sizes: size large, around 60 inches, and small, 55 inches in length. The high-density foam padding will offer the cushion and protection that you might need. We love that this tailgate pad comes with felt lining in the underside in addition to the stuffing.
The outer material of the Surf to Summit truck bike pad is 600 denier fabric. This material is one of the most-used substances to make day-to-day things that we use, like bags. It is durable and not as expensive as other synthetic fabrics. It has a good thickness for tailgate pads.
There are two large pockets at the back of the pickup pad where you can place several tools or other items. The zippers will keep the contents secure even if the ride is a rough one. Talking about keeping things secure, the strap anchors will make sure that your bikes stay secure and fixed.
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RaceFace tailgate pad - Best Tailgate Cushion for MTBs
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RaceFace tailgate pad is one of the most popular choices in the market for tailgate pads, and rightly so. The material that they use is high-quality and will not wear out quickly even after exposure to sun and rain.
Even if you are traveling through bumpy or steep terrain, your bikes will stay in place thanks to the dependable strap and loop system on this pad. The added stumps on each end of the product will add more security and keep the forks in a fixed position.
The primary purpose of a tailgate pad is to protect your bike and your truck from scratches. However, if your tailgate pad looks worn out itself, the product is not living up to its name and cause. With the RaceFace tailgate pad, the micro-brushed fabric of the inner lining will not tear or wear out quickly.
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EVOC Unisex Tailgate pad
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The Evoc Unisex Tailgate pad is slightly larger than the other tailgate bike pads on the list. But if you do not want to keep a cover on your tailgate all the time, this product might be the best tailgate pad choice for you. Thanks to the secure hook and lock system, it is much more effortless to put it on and take it off.
It can carry size bikes at a time. The padding is slightly heavier than the other pads, but that is because Evoc wanted to deliver when it comes to durability and sturdiness. You have two choices when it comes to size, which is large and medium. As for the color options, you have three, namely, white, black, and olive.
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Swagman Tailwhip Tailgate pad
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One feature that makes us appreciate the Swagman Tailwhip tailgate bike pad in all its glory is the storage compartments. These large pockets can hold the equipment, gear, parts, and tools that you might need to carry. Keeping all related items together is sure to make your job easier and keep things more organized.
You can strap in up to 5 bikes to transport it to the destination. The assembly or installation is quite simple. Place your bikes on the pickup pad and keep them secured by strapping them down. You will not have any trouble accessing the tailgate latch because a flap exists right in front of it.
Since there are several daisy chains stitched into the top of the pad, you can be flexible about how you place your bikes. There is no fixed arrangement that everyone must follow. Also, you get four Velcro straps to keep the bikes in place.
The primary material of this pad is thick tarpaulin. This fabric is flexible, waterproof, and very strong. Usually, we coat the canvas with polyurethane to make tarp or tarpaulin.
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FAQs
Do tailgate pads help?
Yes. If you plan to transport your bikes from one place to another on a pickup truck, buying a tailgate bike pad will surely keep both your vehicle and your bike free from damages.
How will I know if a tailgate pad will fit into my truck?
For this question, you will have to do some measuring on your own. Get a measuring tape and check the length of your tailgate. After that, you can search for a pad that is the same length as your truck. Some of the products given above offer sizes for full-sized pickups as well as medium-sized trucks.
What type of bikes can a tailgate pad hold?
Tailgate pads can hold almost all types of bikes. Most of them have a design specifically made for mountain bikes or road bikes. However, they can also transport MTB and Cyclocross bikes securely. These bikes are full-sized and tall enough for the back wheel to touch the truck bed floor even when you suspend the down tube on the tailgate.
Can I carry any other thing on my tailgate pad?
A tailgate bike pad is flexible enough to hold a surfboard and kayaks as well. If it has pockets or pouches stitched into them, you can store your gear and other items while traveling. Tailgate pads are very versatile.
Conclusion
Instead of transporting a single bike on your SUV or hatchback using a hitch rack, get yourself a tailgate pad for your pickup and carry up to seven or even eight bikes simultaneously. The padding and material will keep your truck and bicycle safe from damage.
The products we mentioned above are quite similar to each other, but they have some distinguishing features. Picking any of them according to your needs and wants will be the right choice.