The 6 Best Tailgate Bike Pads of 2023
By: Colin Edwards | June 7, 2023
Hitting the trails with your mountain bike is an exhilarating experience, and transporting your beloved two-wheeled companion should be a breeze, right? That's where tailgate bike pads come in! These nifty accessories are a game-changer for truck-owning mountain bikers. Not only do they save you the hassle of fumbling with complicated racks, but they also ensure your prized bike and precious truck remain scratch-free. When searching for the ultimate tailgate bike pad, keep in mind the pad's size, compatibility with your truck, and its capacity to carry the number of bikes you need for your adventure squad.
New This Year:
As we ride into 2023, the tailgate bike pad scene may not have any revolutionary tech, but it's still got some cool tricks up its sleeve. Smaller pads catering to one or two bikes are stealing the spotlight, taking up just half the tailgate space and leaving room for other gear. Also making waves is RMU's Tailgate Locker, boasting an integrated storage pocket to stash those well-deserved post-ride snacks and drinks. The top tailgate bike pads on the market are not only durable and sturdy but also come equipped with reinforced padding and a secure strap system to keep your bikes stable, even when tackling the bumpiest shuttle roads. So, dive into our list of the best tailgate bike pads of 2023, and let's find the perfect match to elevate your next mountain biking escapade!
This Year's Best Tailgate Bike Pads:
Yakima GateKeeper
You've got the truck, the bike and the squad. Now all you need is the tailgate pad. The Yakima GateKeeper Tailgate Pad easily slides over your truck's gate and comes with handy features like cradles and a tuck-away cover for trucks with back-up cameras. Now get after it!
| Max Capacity | Special Features | Original Price |
| 5 or 6 bikes | SitTight™ Bike Cradles | $179 |
evo Tailgate Pad
Lookin' for a trusty tailgate pad to help ferry your squad's bikes around to your favorite zones? Give the evo Tailgate Pad a hard look. It's burly, will protect your truck and bike from the inevitable clanks, and is incredibly easy to use. Attach your bike to the tailgate pad using the velcro straps, load up the gang and get after it!
| Max Capacity | Special Features | Original Price |
| 5 or 7 bikes | Flap Velcros Down or Attaches to Itself to Reveal Camera/Tailgate Latch | $99.95 |
Thule Gatemate Pro 62"
Get your bike in the truck and get your butt out on the trail with the Thule Gatemate Pro 62" Tailgate Pad. Fully equipped to get you and your buds' bikes to the trailhead with ease thanks to knock-block dividers and downtube straps keeping everything in place. Plus, a snazzy access panel means you never have to take the pad off to use your tailgate.
| Max Capacity | Special Features | Original Price |
| 7 Bikes | Foam Frame Dividers | $209.95 |
RMU Tailgate Locker 2.0
Get to your post-ride beverages immediately with the RMU Tailgate Locker 2.0. This pad is a favorite of shuttlers everywhere, with storage inside the bed for those frosty drinks: you can secure your bike and grab that hydration in one step! It carries a lifetime warranty, along with your precious bikes. Five fleece-lined straps hold your bikes' downtubes so they don't bang around or get scratched up, and there's even a window for your big rig's backup camera. Solid stuff!
| Max Capacity | Special Features | Original Price |
| 5 Bikes | In-Bed Storage Pockets w/ Food Grade Liner | $239.00 |
EVOC Tailgate Pad Duo
Perfect for two! The EVOC Tailgate Pad Duo is all you need for transporting up to 2 bikes on the tailgate of your truck. Sure makes a good excuse not to be designated shuttler...
| Max Capacity | Special Features | Original Price |
| 2 bikes | Woven Polyamide Fabric Coated with EPO® | $90.00 |
Learn More With Our Other Bike Guides:
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose
- Mountain Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Mountain Bikes - How to Get Started Mountain Biking
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Wheel Size
- Mountain Bikes - Suspension Basics
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Mountian Bike Dropper Post
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Handlebars
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Clean
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed SRAM Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed Shimano Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Convert to Tubeless Tires
- Mountain Bikes - How to Replace Internal Cable Housing
- Mountain Bikes - How to Adjust Your Rear Derailleur
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed a RockShox Reverb Seatpost
- Mountain Bikes - How to Service Fox and RockShox Fork Lowers
- Mountain Biking - What to Bring Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - What to Wear Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - How to Choose Knee Pads
- Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Gravel Bikes - How To Get Started Gravel Biking
- eBikes - Classes, Features & More
- eBikes - Where to Ride eBikes
- Bike Accessories - Helmet Size & Fit Guide
- Bike Accessories - How to Choose Bike Shoes
- Bikes - How to Choose Bike Tires
- Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Bikes - How to Repair & Replace a Bike Chain
- Bikes - How to Choose Accessories
- Bikes - Urban Riding Tips
- Travel & Destination Guides - Where to Mountain Bike
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The Best Mountain Bikes Under $3,000
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The Selection Process:
Our bike buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things bike stemming from years of experience in the bike industry in tandem with their countless hours out on the dirt, gravel, and tarmac. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Colin Edwards
Meet Colin Edwards, evo's in-house Bike Buyer and mountain biking aficionado. With 15+ years of e-commerce buying experience under his belt, Colin is the go-to guy for all things related to "Riding Dirt." He's worked across various categories, including bike, snowboard, travel, climbing, and surfing, giving him the know-how to recognize and select top-notch mountain biking products for evo's customers.
Colin's been shredding trails since he was a kid, starting on his trusty hardtail Trek 800 Sport. Born and raised in Utah, he recently made the move to Bellingham, WA with his partner, Kenz. Colin's real-world biking experience, combined with his background in product trends, relationship building, and sales analysis, makes him an invaluable asset to the evo team.
When he's not busy handpicking the raddest gear, you'll find Colin ripping through PNW trails or hunting for the world's best dirt. And when the snow falls, he's all about snowboarding. Colin also loves trail running and exploring the PNW's stunning landscape with his two dogs and Kenz.
With Colin's expertise and passion fueling evo's mountain biking selection, you can trust that his recommendations are spot-on and tailored to the evo community's adventurous spirit.