Tailgate Bike Pad - any experience?

I have several friend that use them.
They love them and no damage at all to the vehicle.

I mountain bike as well, and have seen guys use them. It’s funny that u posted this because I’m starting my research on them to see what works best. Hopefully more will chime in.

Why not just mount them in the bed. I’ve seen those tailgate pads. Seems like a beginning to a problem! I mean now the bike starts out half way out of the bed!

Just install a 2X6 in the front of the bed of the truck, attach a couple of skewer mounts to the 2x.

Pictures, people!

Geo*Boy wrote:
Just install a 2X6 in the front of the bed of the truck, attach a couple of skewer mounts to the 2x.

That works great for road bikes, but you do have to store the wheels somewhere. But mountain bike tires are getting bigger, and removing the wheel isn't as straight forward as on a road bike. Something that allows you to carry without the hassle of front wheel removal is a real advantage.

fj12ryder wrote:

Geo*Boy wrote:
Just install a 2X6 in the front of the bed of the truck, attach a couple of skewer mounts to the 2x.

That works great for road bikes, but you do have to store the wheels somewhere. But mountain bike tires are getting bigger, and removing the wheel isn't as straight forward as on a road bike. Something that allows you to carry without the hassle of front wheel removal is a real advantage.

Exactly. These aren't high end bikes - these are family bikes being taken on camping trips or to local paths. Fork mount racks aren't a good option for these, and wheel mount racks inside the bed become a space (lengths) issue on a short bed truck. I don't want to spend $500+ on a rail system, so these mats look like a good alternative for the periodic use I have. I simply want to make sure they sufficiently protect the paint on the tailgate exterior.

Yep I looked into building my own system our of PVC pipe. Only issue that I have is the tool box being mounted right where the homemade rack would go, hence the problem. I’ve seen several guys make their own , and others used the tailgate pad to haul up to 4 bikes. The pads are nice and your bikes don’t fall out either, despite how it looks. Yes the bike tires are getting larger for sure. I ride full suspension Giant and older model but plan to upgrade in year or so and keep this one as a back up. That bike pad system keeps all bikes upright without getting damaged supposedly. I’m still searching out ideas as well, I can pretty much build most things easily so I’m sure to come up with an option that works out if I don’t go the tailgate pad route either.

I have a friend who uses one and loves it. No damage thus far that I can see. He did have a concern about the bikes coming out or moving around on rough roads, so he runs a strap through the bikes to the tie down loops in the bed. I've been behind him on some pretty rough roads and haven't seen the bikes move or shift.

If you get one and have disc brakes, make sure you turn the bars so the brake rotor faces out. He did bend a rotor because he had it on with the rotor facing in.

I have never personally owned one, but transported my bike ,any times on friends vehicles with them. I can’t say much about long term tailgate damage, but the pad is between the tires/fork and the tailgate. I think the biggest risk of scratching would be installing it on a dirty tailgate. Some of the better ones have a hole for the tailgate handle and backup camera. Depending on clearance on your particular rig you can probably use this option with a bumper pull travel trailer with no issues.
Some advantages:
Fast loading and offloading of the bikes at the trailhead
Minimal timing required. On most the included Velcro loop and maybe an additional bungee is enough
Don’t have to remove front tire, no risk of accidentally squeezing hydraulic brakes with the rotor out
Saves some truck box room. Bikes are getting longer and slacker. I have to put mine diagonally in the 5.5’ bed F150’s