Issues with Mountain Bikes and Tailgate Pads

Hey everyone, I recently got back into biking and want to start transporting my two mountain bikes to trails further away.

I don't want to scratch up the paint on the exterior of the tailgate, so I was leaning towards getting a bike pad from evoc or raceface. I've read that a common issues with the gen 1 tacos is that the bed is too shallow and doesn't secure the bikes for long distances. Is this true for most cases or more for larger bikes. If it's a common issue what are some good ways around it? I'm trying to stay away from any hitch mounted bike rack because I do tow a bit when camping.

Any advice would be great. Thank you

 

I have a fox pad and the biggest problem I have is that the part where the top of the pad where it is most cushy doesn’t always line up with the top of the tailgate. It makes it so that the loops to tie bikes down is lower then it should be. When I first put it on it lines up but as it stays on it gets firther and further down. But it’s not a problem to fix. But other then that I’ve never had a problem with keeping bikes on as long as they are velcroed on good

 

I never got comfy with the tailgate hanging method, even when using something pretty thick. My last truck had a tonneau cover so I'd just take off the front wheel and lay the bike down in the bed. Is that an option for you?

 

Why not do it like a motorcycle. Front wheel in the front corner of box and two tie downs.

 

yakima makes a mount you can fasten to your truck that the forks mount to.

 

Think about how a tailgate pad works. The bike should be resting on two points: the rear wheel on the bed floor and the down tube/fork junction on the top of the tailgate.

The first potential issue with low bed sides is that the chainring or down tube might contact the bed floor before the bike settles on top of the tailgate. This depends on the shape and size of the frame, so might not be a problem for everyone.

The second potential issue is that the fork or front wheel contacts the bumper before the bike settles on top of the tailgate. This can sometimes be avoided by putting the bike in the center of the truck so the fork fits into the recessed area around the license plate. An aftermarket bumper could also help, but that's a pretty extreme option.

Both of these issues will cause the bike to be unstable. It will flop to the side instead of staying firmly upright. You can test your own bikes for fit without buying a pad--just use an old towel or blanket to protect the paint.

I know of one 1st gen owner who used a 2x4 between the tailgate and pad to effectively make the tailgate taller.

For my bikes, I use a fork-mount rack inside the bed. The RockyMounts DropTop is the best fork mount available for thru-axle bikes at the moment (it works with both 12mm and 15mm thru axles without adapters, can be installed vertically or horizontally, and it's lockable). Some folks will attach a fork mount directly to the bed sides or a cross-bed tool box. My setup uses L-track on the bed floor so I can install a crossbar (I use RockyMounts VanTrack). It keeps things low enough to fit my bike under my cab-height topper and allows me to remove or reposition everything easily.

 

What I use is similar to this:

$38 Keeper Adjustable Cargo Bar for Pickup Truck Bed, Ratcheting Cargo Bar, Ideal Work Truck Accessories, Black/Silver, 40"-70" Adjustable Length

https://www.amazon.com/Keeper-05059...up+truck+load+bars&qid=1720876327&sr=8-5&th=1

Then, I attached one of these:

$18 MBP Alloy Quick Release Fork Mount Bike Block (9x100mm) Truck Bed/Rack/Storage

https://www.amazon.com/MBP-Alloy-Re...eywords=bike+fork+mount&qid=1720876667&sr=8-5

Now, mine is about 30 years old, so it is different. The load bar is threaded, not a ratchet and the fork mount clamps around a tube. The one shown could probably be attached with a couple of u-bolts that you could find at a hardware store.

 

Here are a couple of pics:

 

I support this style 100%

 

That's what I have done for many decades. A couple straps on the bars and one holding the rear wheels.

 

I tried a tailgate mat, also found it to be too short. A single bike fits perfectly in the bed, Thule hitch rack for multiple bikes.

 

A few extra minutes of prep but great for roadtrips: Remove pedals (important), front wheel and turn bars in-line to frame. Lean and strap-down bike(s) to side of truck bed. Use cardboard/foampads when hauling multiple bikes. Each bike takes up just 6" of width.

I used wheel bags to store the front wheels behind/front of truck wheel arches.

 

i just use my bike rack or you could use a tail gate mat

 

That is truly a pro tip there with the zip-tie on the brake lever! I know someone who had their front wheel ball bearings FALL OUT of their race bike on a long haul because they left the wheels loose.

I had the rail system on my old Tundra with the Yakima quick release locks. I could fit 3 bikes easily. They held up really well (even though they seemed a bit flimsy) and never really got in the way...

Now, with my Taco, I do what Portlander recommended two posts up. Yes, take off the pedals. Seems like a hassle, but it will save your paint (especially when you are doing multiple bikes), and make the bike(s) skinnier. I haven't tried my 29er this way yet, but will soon (praying for sun). I will let you know how it fits!

 

lol yeah ive heard of stuff like that happening that's why i zip tied it lol

 

What oldschl says

$18 MBP Alloy Quick Release Fork Mount Bike Block (9x100mm) Truck Bed/Rack/Storage

https://www.amazon.com/MBP-Alloy-Re...eywords=bike+fork+mount&qid=1720876667&sr=8-5

bolt thru front bed panel lip or use C clamps
I had 2 mounted
So did my MTB friend(with Nissan)
So we alternated ‘who drove’ to trail heads
2 bikes fit NP

 

I use a tailgate pad no issues. I just use the little straps included on my race face one. Recently picked up a bike rack too that works well. I’d like to build a fork mount system but with the bobbed bed I don’t know that my bikes will fit

 

Thule made an extendable bar that you attach to the inside rail of the bed. It's called the BedRider and uses bicycle fork mounts to hold the front of the bicycle on. There are locking fork versions too for extra security. I use it along with the bed extender to fit two mountain bikes in my 5ft.
Looking online it looks like it's called the BedRider Pro now and mounts a bit differently, but same principle. eBay probably has old ones that have the aluminum square body - you need a key for them and replacements can be had for ~$10. Just look at the number on the lock cylinder

 

6' 2nd gen here, but you don't mention any bed restrictions. Worked well at legal interstate speeds.

Another strap in the rear might be good on bumpy roads, but since I have a bed mat, no movement issues with smooth roads.