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:
How to Choose a Mountain Bike
Mountain Bike Sizing and Fit Guide
How to Get Started Mountain Biking
How to Choose a Mountain Bike Wheel Size
Mountain Bike Suspension Basics
Women's Mountain Bike Buyer's Guide
How To Get Started Gravel Biking
Electric Mountain Bike Buyer's Guide
Classes of eBikes
Travel Guides - Where to Mountain Bike
Travel Guides - Where to Ride eBikes
Mountain Bike Cockpit Setup & Seat Height
How to Choose a Mountain Bike Dropper Post
How to Choose Mountain Bike Tires
How to Choose Mountain Bike Handlebars
How to Choose Mountain Bike Pedals
How to Choose Clipless Pedals, Shoes & Cleats
How to Choose a Bike Seat / Saddle
Women's Mountain Bike Gear & Clothing Guide
How to Choose MTB Knee Pads
Bike Helmet Size & Fit Guide
How to Choose Bike Shoes
Shimano Groupset Hierarchy Explained
SRAM Groupset Hierarchy Explained
SRAM vs Shimano Groupsets Compared
What to Bring Mountain Biking
What to Wear Mountain Biking
Mountain Bike Tire Pressure Guide
Mountain Bike Maintenance Schedule
How to Clean a Mountain Bike
How to Change Bike Pedals
How to Bleed SRAM Brakes
How to Bleed Shimano Brakes
How to Convert to Tubeless Tires
How to Replace Internal Cable Housing
How to Adjust Your Rear Derailleur
How to Replace a Bike Chain
How to Fix Bike Creaks & Noises
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.
