MTB Tailgate Pad

[Wefty]

I have never owned a pickup and since I'm planning on using a tailgate pad I have a question. I will be keeping my R1T in the garage and there is a few inches of garage door clearance. What I like about carrying bikes in my minivan is that I just open the back door, toss in a bike or 2 and drive. When carrying bikes font wheel over the back gate do the bikes stick up higher than the roof of the truck? I don't mind having to drop the seatpost when loading. I'm trying to avoid 1) having to load/unload bikes while in the alley and 2) backing into the garage forgetting that the bikes won't clear the garage door and crushing them. People do it with roof racks all the time.

Like stated above I like to remove all the friction of getting to and from the trail.

Sponsored

 

[Lsthrz]

Not higher and this with seat post all the way up. This is a large emtb

 

[Wefty]

That is extremely helpful. I'm trying to be prepared as possible.

Thanks.

 

[Eager2own]

Despite some reports of issues with pads, I refuse to give up on the idea of using a tailgate pad on a pickup truck.
Yesterday I tried the Race Face T2, which I picked because it has significant padding right where others have experienced issues with the tailgate ridge. It worked perfectly and as you’d expect.
Admittedly the 40 miles of driving was all highway and paved roads. I may use the fork mount tray on the crossbars if I have to drive bumpy off-road to other trails but, for driving on improved roads, this seems like the simple solution.

 

[Lsthrz]

Despite some reports of issues with pads, I refuse to give up on the idea of using a tailgate pad on a pickup truck.
Yesterday I tried the Race Face T2, which I picked because it has significant padding right where others have experienced issues with the tailgate ridge. It worked perfectly and as you’d expect.
Admittedly the 40 miles of driving was all highway and paved roads. I may use the fork mount tray on the crossbars if I have to drive bumpy off-road to other trails but, for driving on improved roads, this seems like the simple solution.

That looks great. Thanks for sharing. I’m using a pad myself and not concerned about the ridge.

 

[dduffey]

What is the width of the tailgate from inner corner to corner where the pad would hang over and not get caught in closing?

I see specs for bed width but not sure if that is the same.

 

[bbqdevil]

Despite some reports of issues with pads, I refuse to give up on the idea of using a tailgate pad on a pickup truck.
Yesterday I tried the Race Face T2, which I picked because it has significant padding right where others have experienced issues with the tailgate ridge. It worked perfectly and as you’d expect.
Admittedly the 40 miles of driving was all highway and paved roads. I may use the fork mount tray on the crossbars if I have to drive bumpy off-road to other trails but, for driving on improved roads, this seems like the simple solution.

I'm assuming that's the s/m, not L/XL, yes? Getting ready to order one so I can hopefully have it next week when the truck is [hopefully] delivered.

 

[SanClementeRivian]

Despite some reports of issues with pads, I refuse to give up on the idea of using a tailgate pad on a pickup truck.
Yesterday I tried the Race Face T2, which I picked because it has significant padding right where others have experienced issues with the tailgate ridge. It worked perfectly and as you’d expect.
Admittedly the 40 miles of driving was all highway and paved roads. I may use the fork mount tray on the crossbars if I have to drive bumpy off-road to other trails but, for driving on improved roads, this seems like the simple solution.

Despite some reports of issues with pads, I refuse to give up on the idea of using a tailgate pad on a pickup truck.
Yesterday I tried the Race Face T2, which I picked because it has significant padding right where others have experienced issues with the tailgate ridge. It worked perfectly and as you’d expect.
Admittedly the 40 miles of driving was all highway and paved roads. I may use the fork mount tray on the crossbars if I have to drive bumpy off-road to other trails but, for driving on improved roads, this seems like the simple solution.

Despite some reports of issues with pads, I refuse to give up on the idea of using a tailgate pad on a pickup truck.
Yesterday I tried the Race Face T2, which I picked because it has significant padding right where others have experienced issues with the tailgate ridge. It worked perfectly and as you’d expect.
Admittedly the 40 miles of driving was all highway and paved roads. I may use the fork mount tray on the crossbars if I have to drive bumpy off-road to other trails but, for driving on improved roads, this seems like the simple solution.

Thanks for sharing — I bought the same S/M pad and it fit fine.

One issue that wasn’t mentioned is the pad interferes with the tailgate flap / extender (spring loaded plastic piece that covers the tailgate / bed seam when tailgate is open).

So for the time being this pad works, but it’s still not a clean / simple solution since now you have to remove the pad or deal with the interference every time you close the tailgate.

 

[mtw777]

If anyone has more pics of the pads, or even a video showing the "issues" when the tailgate opens/closes, that would be appreciated!

 

[dduffey]

This is a Daiken Small. I should have gotten a "DLX" for thicker tailgates, not super happy with it so still looking for a solution.

You can see where the inner tailgate hits the buckles when closing. Once it even unsnapped the buckle clamp.

Not impossible to use, but not ideal either.

 

[dduffey]

Despite some reports of issues with pads, I refuse to give up on the idea of using a tailgate pad on a pickup truck.
Yesterday I tried the Race Face T2, which I picked because it has significant padding right where others have experienced issues with the tailgate ridge. It worked perfectly and as you’d expect.
Admittedly the 40 miles of driving was all highway and paved roads. I may use the fork mount tray on the crossbars if I have to drive bumpy off-road to other trails but, for driving on improved roads, this seems like the simple solution.

Does the inner flap slide over the pad when putting the tailgate up? Do you have pictures of the inner side?

 

[RedDragon]

I bought both the Dakine DLX small and the Race Face T2 s/m. Both fit perfectly width wise but the Race Face definitely is better for the Rivian. It offers a lot more padding all around. The Dakine is probably more for a work truck when you are worried about the bikes but not the truck so much.

These are my first pads and I Would say they are good for local travel to the trails but I don't think they would be secure enough for long trips or off-road.

I may also use it when hauling lumber/plywood or other odd objects.

Installation is easy with both, just use a strap to retract the inner tailgate flap during install if you are alone. With this tailgate flap design, you will always have to manually retract it when closing the tailgate with pad installed - there are too many hang up points. But this is easy and only has to be done once.

See attached photos. The bike is an XL 29'er.

I have one more style of rack on order that I will compare once it arrives a week or so.

 

[RedDragon]

Dakine DLX Small

 

[RedDragon]

Race Face T2 s/m

 

[Wefty]

Has anyone else considered the half-stack versions of the pads? A quick search shows that Fox and Raceface offer them. Buying a second one for carrying two more bikes is only $9 than buying a full size.

95% of the time I only need one or two bikes. In theory Installing and removing the smaller one will be a little faster but it looks like they only have one less straps than the full size (3 vs 4).

Fox

Racface

Sponsored