Dakine Truck Pad

I am torn on this topic...

I have heard that the pad does leave abrasion marks on the tailgate still as well as the rear bumper getting scratched and torn up due to the wheels. anyone have this problem?

I am usually the hauler and carry 4-5 bikes at a time and would be pissed to see scratch marks everywhere

 

Tailgate gets all scratched up from the pad but rear bumper is fine. I never took my pad off to was off dust after shuttles. Maybe a bit more care and no scratches. Easiest way to haul bikes and worth the scratches IMHO

 

I don't have the dakine pad but I do carry my bikes in the same way using various different pads ie mexican blanket or gf's old yoga mat. The dakine product is a ripoff considering the entire purpose is a cushion between your bike and the tailgate. Use something cheap that can easily be tossed in the toolbox or inside the cab. I use two rachet straps to secure the downtubes of the bikes and the rear wheels to the sides of the bed. Wrap the straps around the rubes and wheels a couple times to prevent any shifting or tipping. This setup got me through some gnarly offroading in utah with only occasionally having to tighten the straps. Using the rachets, the pressure alone of the bike against the tailgate held whatever mat I had in place the entire time. So unless you need the dakine pad to match your pretty $3k bike, save yourself the $100

 

I don't know about that....

 

Yeah there's no way the dirt or mud doesnt creep up underneath the pad its bound to scratch the tailgate just give it time. Looks sick but not worth the headache I'd go with the mounts that you can buy and I'm sure it's cheaper like $30 from what I've found.

 

I have the Thule version of that pad. It functions well for shuttling bikes back up to the trailhead. Easy peasey. For long drives, bed bars with fork mounts are sweet.

 

You could always use paint protection film on your tailgate.

 

the problem with the mounts is I have to have adapters for all of them since all the bikes i use have a thru axle

 

I hate clamping the bike down with the fork mounts though. every vibration, bump, and lean is transferred from the truck to the bike's front dropouts and fork. I have had my bike wiggle loose from these while offroading. The Dakine style pad really is the best way to minimize damage to your truck and bikes. I still prefer a mexican blanket though...

 

he's going to point to his sig, just fyi

 

The pad is great, I haven't had any problems with scratches in 2 years, just be careful when ur on a dirt bumpy road and who loads the bikes. Someone loaded a bike off the pad and it rubbed the paint off my tailgate from the fork. Like others said use paint protection film. The wheels do damage the plastic on my bumper but I could care less about that.

I shuttle bikes at least three times a week. It's the best way besides a 4 bike hitch mount but it makes the truck so long.

 

What size DaKine for the 2017 TRD 4x4?

 

probably the small. measure the width of the tailgate. The large one was covering my tailights or close to it if I remember correctly.

 

Small dakine pad on my 16'

 

I just got the Dakine for my 2011. Seems the handle and straps are located wrong.. kinda for a bigger truck or thicker tailgate.

I'll try loading it tomorrow and see how it does

 

I recently got a thule tailgate pad (small) for my beach cruiser. Not a dirt bike guy. But it is padded and my bike does not move at all and it does not touch the bumper. I take it off when I am not going to use the bike. I considered fork mounts, but brushed that away as the purpose of the bike is to cruise and not have one more thing to do. My 2 cents.

 

I use a large dakine pad on my truck, I love it! Looks badass, I use a rachet strap to hold it down even more, fits everything from my downhill bike, to my slope style bike very well, Even with my canopy on, we got 5 bikes in!

 

Here's the large with my dh bike and canopy

 

Oops, I do need the pretty dakine pad to match my 3k bikes

 

I use these. Absolutely love them

http://www.pipelineracks.com/products4/rail-trucks/forward-facing-arm-for-rail-systems/