MTB Tailgate Pad

[Wefty]

I just got a Raceface T2 off ebay. It works great. The half pad was fine until I was taking 3 bikes.

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[beardlaughing]

How did you mount your Raceface T2 tailgate pad? I'd love to see some photos. I ordered it on sale from Raceface, but I found that the extension flap on the tailgate didn't allow me to mount it properly. (I should have taken photos, but I was a fool).

I tried routing the straps on the tailgate alone (shortest routing) w/out going around the extension flap (don't know what to call it) and then when putting the tailgate up, the extension hits and overlaps on the pad in a way that definitely won't work long term. I didn't even bother trying to put my bike on it.

Then if I tried to route the straps to include the tailgate extension flap, I could route the middle two, but the outter two straps line up right where the hinge for the extension flap connects to the bed.

I put the T2 back in the packaging to return, but if others have used it successfully, I'm curious how you routed the straps and would love photos.

 

[beardlaughing]

I should add a little background. I've got a bunch of different ways to carry bikes from other vehicles, and none of them fit perfectly on the Rivian. I was a little disappointed, which is why I ordered the tailgate pad.

I have a single Yakima HighRoad roof rack bike mount which fits on the Rivian crossbars in the trunk if I reverse it so the front wheel is near the tailgate. That just barely fits my gravel bike (XL OPEN WI.DE.) with the rear tire almost hitting the roof spoiler. Definitely doesn't fit on there if I put it front wheel forward. My XL Pivot Firebird 29 doesn't fit on there in either orientation. It's too long

I have an old, heavy, but bomber Thule T2 hitchmount bike rack with extension to carry 2-4 bikes. When I mounted this on the Rivian, the tailgate rounding sticks out far enough that the rack when folded just barely hits and rubs when it's folded up. It's usable with the bikes, but I don't really want to drive with it folded down all the time. I suppose I can get a hitch extension to avoid hitting the tailgate. But this thing is a pain to put on and take off regularly, and it's not easy to put the tailgate down if it's on.

The bikes don't fit in the bed easily, but I haven't tried taking a wheel off. Bed's a touch short

 

[beardlaughing]

Installed the tailgate pad today and it worked out alright. I don’t the like rhe flap making it tough to put the gate up and worry it will wear the straps a bit, but now I can load my MTB

 

[Wefty]

Sorry. I just saw this. I just keep the tailgate flap out of the way when closing the gate. When installing or removing the pad I use a bungee strap to hold the flap out of the way.

 

[dp351]

I’ve been thinking for years that someone needs to invent a better MTB pad that’s an OEM part, without those stupid straps. I’m surprised it still hasn’t been done.

Rivian being the “adventure” brand is the perfect OEM to do it. But considering the way they’ve bitten off more than they can chew with other accessories, it would be best if they‘d design, test and begin manufacturing it before telling us anything. So hopefully they’re testing it right now.

 

[duessell]

I’ve been thinking for years that someone needs to invent a better MTB pad that’s an OEM part, without those stupid straps. I’m surprised it still hasn’t been done.

Rivian being the “adventure” brand is the perfect OEM to do it. But considering the way they’ve bitten off more than they can chew with other accessories, it would be best if they‘d design, test and begin manufacturing it before telling us anything. So hopefully they’re testing it right now.

This is the somewhat custom option I want most.

 

[DTown3011]

Is the Raceface T2 still the preferred pad for Rivian? I’m only interested in a pad, nothing else.

my buddy has this on his F-150 and it works great: CyclingDeal Tailgate Bike Pads - Mountain MTB Bike Carrier Bicycle Rack Cover Protection Mats for Pickup Truck - Fits up to 5 or 6 Bikes https://a.co/d/gO1gcax

 

[DTown3011]

After some research I’m gonna give the one I linked above a go. All the pressure is on the downtube and what I don’t understand about the big brands is they all have notches with no padding so the bikes don’t move - this version had a big pad under the downtube but straps secure. For the price (about $100) you can’t go wrong.

CyclingDeal Tailgate Bike Pads - Mountain MTB Bike Carrier Bicycle Rack Cover Protection Mats for Pickup Truck - Fits up to 5 or 6 Bikes https://a.co/d/e1zI0DD

 

[DTown3011]

After some research I’m gonna give the one I linked above a go. All the pressure is on the downtube and what I don’t understand about the big brands is they all have notches with no padding so the bikes don’t move - this version had a big pad under the downtube but straps secure. For the price (about $100) you can’t go wrong.

CyclingDeal Tailgate Bike Pads - Mountain MTB Bike Carrier Bicycle Rack Cover Protection Mats for Pickup Truck - Fits up to 5 or 6 Bikes https://a.co/d/e1zI0DD

I ordered the CD and the Raceface T2 pads to compare - will post once I receive!

 

[DTown3011]

How did you mount your Raceface T2 tailgate pad? I'd love to see some photos. I ordered it on sale from Raceface, but I found that the extension flap on the tailgate didn't allow me to mount it properly. (I should have taken photos, but I was a fool).

I tried routing the straps on the tailgate alone (shortest routing) w/out going around the extension flap (don't know what to call it) and then when putting the tailgate up, the extension hits and overlaps on the pad in a way that definitely won't work long term. I didn't even bother trying to put my bike on it.

Then if I tried to route the straps to include the tailgate extension flap, I could route the middle two, but the outter two straps line up right where the hinge for the extension flap connects to the bed.

I put the T2 back in the packaging to return, but if others have used it successfully, I'm curious how you routed the straps and would love photos.

Sorry. I just saw this. I just keep the tailgate flap out of the way when closing the gate. When installing or removing the pad I use a bungee strap to hold the flap out of the way.

Agree with the tailgate flap, seems to be getting in the way with the install. It works great if you go around it, but you can't open the bed - which isn't really that big of a deal, but if I want to keep this thing on on summer it's either going to be a pain removing it or not being able to use my tailgate will get annoying.

Wefty, does the tailgate flap come up and over the tailgate pad once installed or under it?

 

[DTown3011]

So between the RaceFace T2 and the CyclingDeal 52" pad, I think we've found a winner. The T2 had too much extra at the top to fit the tailgate well, this one fits much better and the cradles for the downtubes are nice and fit just above the tailgate insert piece that moves when you open it. This one is clean and the price is right. The only "quirk" is it's best if you hold up the tailgate insert piece when opening/closing the tailgate. I'd highly recommend:

CyclingDeal Tailgate Bike Pad - Mountain Bike Carrier Bicycle Rack Cover Protection Mats for Pickup Truck - 52" Wide Fits up to 5 Bikes (amazon.com)

 

[Wefty]

Looks nice.

 

[DTown3011]

Looks nice.

Looks even better here!

 

[beardlaughing]

looks pretty good. I stayed with the T2. I think it's a little wonky up top. And you have to lift the tailgate flap to open/close the tailgate and not screw up the straps, but generally works. I've been gravel biking more frequently than mtb lately and that bike fits on the Yakima High Road over the bed, so I haven't been using the T2 much. If this California rain ever stops, I'll get more singletrack fun in the works.

So between the RaceFace T2 and the CyclingDeal 52" pad, I think we've found a winner. The T2 had too much extra at the top to fit the tailgate well, this one fits much better and the cradles for the downtubes are nice and fit just above the tailgate insert piece that moves when you open it. This one is clean and the price is right. The only "quirk" is it's best if you hold up the tailgate insert piece when opening/closing the tailgate. I'd highly recommend:

CyclingDeal Tailgate Bike Pad - Mountain Bike Carrier Bicycle Rack Cover Protection Mats for Pickup Truck - 52" Wide Fits up to 5 Bikes (amazon.com)

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