Tailgate Bike Pads
Best Tailgate Bike Pads for Hauling Mountain Bikes
7 picks compared
10 min read
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The short answerThe best tailgate bike pad overall is the Thule Gate Mate Pro, with secure per-bike straps, tailgate protection, and a rear-camera passthrough. For value the Himal Outdoors pad is the pick, and you should match the width to your truck: around 51 inches for mid-size and 61 inches for full-size pickups.
?How we pickedWe compare published specifications, safety certifications and thousands of verified owner reviews, and we do not physically test every unit. Read the full process in our review methodology.
Thule Gate Mate Pro Tailgate Pad
★★★★★ 4.7 / 5 Best overall
A premium tailgate pad from Thule with secure bike straps, tailgate protection, and a rear-camera passthrough. Its quality and thoughtful design make it the best all-round choice for hauling mountain bikes.
Brand ThuleStraps Secure per-bikeExtra Camera passthroughBest for Serious riders
- Premium build and straps
- Protects tailgate
- Camera passthrough
- Highest price
- Fit varies by truck
Best for: Reliable bike hauling
Himal Outdoors Tailgate Pad
★★★★★ 4.6 / 5 Best value
A well-reviewed, affordable tailgate pad that fits most trucks and carries several bikes securely. The value pick that covers the essentials without the premium price.
Brand Himal OutdoorsFit Most trucksBikes MultipleBest for Value buyers
- Affordable
- Fits most trucks
- Carries several bikes
- Basic straps
- No camera flap on some
Best for: Great value hauling
Marscamd Tailgate Pad (Mid-Size, 51")
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5 Best for mid-size trucks
A 51-inch pad shaped for mid-size pickups so it fits the tailgate properly rather than overhanging. The right size keeps bikes stable and the pad secure.
Width 51 inFit Mid-size pickupsBikes MultipleBest for Mid-size trucks
- Sized for mid-size beds
- Secure fit
- Good bike capacity
- Wrong size for full-size
- Mid-tier straps
Best for: Mid-size pickups
Marscamd Tailgate Pad (Full-Size, 61")
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5 Best for full-size trucks
A wider 61-inch version for full-size pickups, covering the larger tailgate fully. Matching the pad to a full-size bed means proper coverage and a stable fit.
Width 61 inFit Full-size pickupsBikes MultipleBest for Full-size trucks
- Sized for full-size beds
- Full tailgate coverage
- Holds several bikes
- Too wide for mid-size
- Mid-tier straps
Best for: Full-size pickups
GoHimal Tailgate Pad Pro
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5 Best upgraded straps
An upgraded pad with improved per-bike straps to reduce frame rub and keep bikes from swaying. A step up for riders who haul expensive bikes and want them held firmly.
Brand GoHimalStraps Upgraded per-bikeBikes MultipleBest for Secure hold
- Better bike straps
- Reduces sway and rub
- Good coverage
- Pricier than basic
- Fit check needed
Best for: Holding pricey bikes firmly
CROSSHIP Tailgate Bike Pad
★★★★★ 4.4 / 5 Best protection
A padded design focused on protecting both the tailgate and bike frames during transport. The pick when guarding paint and finishes is your main concern.
Brand CROSSHIPFocus Tailgate protectionBikes MultipleBest for Paint protection
- Good padding
- Protects finishes
- Fair price
- Straps are basic
- Fit varies
Best for: Protecting paint and frames
Himal Outdoors Tailgate Pad (Alt Fit)
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5 Best alternate size
An alternative Himal pad sizing for a different range of trucks at the same friendly price. Handy if the main Himal size does not match your tailgate.
Brand Himal OutdoorsFit Alternate rangeBikes MultipleBest for Fit flexibility
- Affordable
- Alternate fit option
- Carries several bikes
- Confirm your fit
- Basic straps
Best for: A different truck fit
A tailgate bike pad turns your truck\u2019s tailgate into a simple, high-capacity rack for mountain bikes, no hitch or roof system required. The best pad fits your truck size, holds bikes securely, and protects your paint. Below, picks from premium to value for every pickup.
How tailgate pads work
A tailgate pad drapes over the closed tailgate and wraps its top edge in padding. You hang each bike with the front wheel over the outside of the tailgate and strap the frame to the pad, letting several bikes ride side by side. It is the favourite of shuttle riders and groups because it carries more bikes than a typical hitch rack for far less money, while cushioning the tailgate from frames and cables.
Getting the size right
Fit is everything. Mid-size pickups need a narrower pad, around 51 inches, while full-size trucks take a wider one near 61 inches. A pad that is too wide overhangs and shifts, and one too narrow leaves the tailgate exposed. Some brands sell mid-size and full-size versions of the same pad, so pick the one that matches your bed. Check your truck\u2019s class against the pad\u2019s stated fit before ordering.
Security and paint protection
Protecting bikes and truck comes down to padding and straps. Strap each bike firmly by its down tube so it cannot sway, keep the front wheel straight, and space bikes so handlebars and pedals do not clash. Upgraded per-bike straps hold bikes more securely and reduce frame rub. Keep the area under the pad clean, since trapped grit can rub paint over time even through good padding.
Cameras, capacity, and choosing
If your truck uses a tailgate rear-view camera, choose a pad with a camera passthrough so it stays visible and legal when reversing. Consider how many bikes you carry, since capacity varies with width and handlebar clearance, typically five to seven. For serious, frequent use a premium pad with strong straps and protection is worth it; for occasional hauling, a well-reviewed value pad in the right size does the job.
Questions people ask
How does a tailgate bike pad work?
A tailgate pad drapes over your truck's closed tailgate and wraps around it, cushioning the top edge. You rest bikes with their front wheel over the tailgate and down the outside, then secure each frame with the pad's straps. It turns the tailgate into a simple, high-capacity bike rack without a separate hitch or roof system.
What size tailgate pad do I need?
Match the pad width to your truck size. Mid-size pickups need a narrower pad, around 51 inches, while full-size trucks take a wider one, around 61 inches. A pad that is too wide overhangs and does not sit securely, and one too narrow leaves the tailgate exposed. Check your truck's category and the pad's stated fit before buying.
How many bikes can a tailgate pad carry?
Most pads carry several bikes, often five to seven depending on width and handlebar clearance, since the bikes hang side by side. The real limit is how many fit without the handlebars and pedals clashing. Spacing bikes alternately, facing opposite directions, helps you fit more without them knocking together in transit.
Will a tailgate pad protect my truck's paint?
That is a main purpose: the pad cushions the tailgate edge from the bike frames and cables. However, grit between the pad and paint can still rub over time, and unsecured bikes can sway and scratch. Keep the area clean, strap each bike firmly, and choose a well-padded design to best protect both truck and bikes.
Can I use the rear-view camera with a tailgate pad on?
Some pads, like the Thule Gate Mate Pro, include a flap or passthrough so your rear camera and licence plate stay visible. Others may cover them. If your truck relies on a tailgate camera, choose a pad that explicitly offers a camera passthrough to stay legal and safe when reversing.
Do bikes stay secure on a tailgate pad at highway speed?
Yes, when strapped correctly. Each bike should be cinched to the pad by its down tube so it cannot sway, and the front wheel kept straight. Pads with upgraded per-bike straps hold bikes more firmly and reduce frame rub. Always re-check straps before and during a long drive, especially after the first few miles.
Is a tailgate pad better than a hitch rack?
They suit different needs. A tailgate pad is cheaper, carries more bikes, and needs no hitch, which is why it is popular for shuttle laps and group rides. A hitch rack holds bikes more rigidly, keeps them off the paint entirely, and lets you open the tailgate. For hauling several mountain bikes affordably, a pad is hard to beat.
Will a tailgate pad fit any truck?
Most fit a broad range of pickups within their size class, but truck tailgates vary, so check the pad's stated fit against your make and model. Features like handle cutouts and camera flaps improve compatibility. When a brand offers mid-size and full-size versions, choose the one that matches your bed to get a secure, proper fit.
The bottom lineSo which one?
Buy the Thule Gate Mate Pro for the best all-round pad with camera passthrough and strong straps. Choose the Himal Outdoors pad for value, and always match the size to your truck: 51 inches for mid-size, 61 inches for full-size.
