Bike Racks... Tailgate Pad or Hitch Rack for frequent use.

[GaryG]

I use a Kuat NV2.0 with a small extension for tailgate clearance.. My wife and I ride a Tandem and was able to mount it on the Kuat. I have to say its a very stout bike rack with never a single issue.

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[SeanBonham]

Happy with my RaceFace pad for sure.

 

[brnpttmn]

Happy with my RaceFace pad for sure.

Nice! I'm cheap and use an old sleep pad...

 

[volksnuts]

This 1up is like 4 years old and still looks and works like new

I also have a single 1up (new version) since I decided to go with a bedcover

I had a Raceface pad on my XLT Maverick for 6 months and did zero damage to the paint (Area 51) never got around to putting PPF on it

Both options work great for a single bike

 

[WildHorse]

Do the hitch-mounted racks interfer with tailgate open/close?

 

[volksnuts]

Some do
I just use the higher position for the tailgate to avoid it hitting

 

[Squirrelfight]

I use my tailgate pad most of the time so my backup cam doesn't scream at me but I also have a 1up that I love.

 

[Smack]

I have a Thule that was great with my Jeep Wrangler.
It blocks the backing camera and when I use it the license plate needs to be on the driver side or it is blocked by the swingaway.
I have Yakima bars on the top of the bed now so I'm looking at a rack there for next season.

 

[GillesDisorder]

I started with Truxedo Elevate TS rails coupled with the Truxedo Pro X15 soft cover.
Using these rails, I mounted a set of Rhino-Rack RLT600 quick mount legs combined with 59'' Rhino-Rack Vortex crossbars. Crossbars and racks are pretty easy to remove as a single unit if I want to use the bed for big items, otherwise it's mostly used as a trunk for luggage. The cover can be opened and then rolled in front of the racks. but obviously can't be rolled from the start as it doesn't even clear the first bar.

 

[colinl]

I use my tailgate pad most of the time so my backup cam doesn't scream at me but I also have a 1up that I love.

I have the same pad and no bed crossbars. Can you actually get 3+ bikes on there with crossbars?

I can't believe anyone would want to install roof racks on the floor of the bed. It's such a hassle taking off the front wheel and some of what I saw here will require the tailgate to stay down. I'm assuming they are strapping it down.

It can't be about security....While bikes on a tailgate pad can be easily lifted out, any unattended bike can be stolen regardless of how it's locked up. So yeah, I worry more for a quick pit stop at a gas station, but it's not like I would leave a bike locked to a roof or hitch rack unattended while eating lunch and definitely not when parked overnight.

Also regarding hitch racks yes you should expect your tailgate to hit an empty hitch rack before reaching the bottom / fully open position. I still have a hitch rack and use it when I need to put luggage, tools and riding gear in the bed (and then I use my tonneau cover also, which doesn't fit properly with the tailgate pad installed).

 

[TdotMav]

Happy with my RaceFace pad for sure.

Do you have to do anything fancy to prevent damage to the bike or truck? We will have 4 bikes to carry around so not sure if the pad can handle 4 bikes?

 

[colinl]

Do you have to do anything fancy to prevent damage to the bike or truck? We will have 4 bikes to carry around so not sure if the pad can handle 4 bikes?

I've had 4 mountainbikes on mine and there are spaces for 5 bikes on the tailgate pad (mine is a Fox Overland medium) but I don't think 5 MTBs would fit because of the limited space between the wheelwells. Possibly 5 road bikes which are much narrower and shorter, but 5 cyclists would be cramped in the Maverick. Possibly roadies who are narrower like their bikes.

I thought I had a pic with 3 or 4 on it, but I don't.

This is 2 of 3. The 3rd bike goes far right and it all works great. Some room for helmets, hydration packs. The bikes don't move around due to being velcro strapped in place.

 

[SeanBonham]

Do you have to do anything fancy to prevent damage to the bike or truck? We will have 4 bikes to carry around so not sure if the pad can handle 4 bikes?

I am only hauling one bike at a time usually, so I can't help much with that. My Evil is fully ridewrapped and I use a little piece of pipe insulation under the downtube because I'm crazy and I spent WAY too much money on this bike.

 

[LM42]

RaceFace tailgate pad. works well

Which Raceface did you order? I hadn't looked at theirs yet, but a lot of brands show a mid size truck option. I need to get one too.

 

[RogueCheddar]

Which Raceface did you order? I hadn't looked at theirs yet, but a lot of brands show a mid size truck option. I need to get one too.

It's the T2

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