Anyone have any experience with tailgate pads for carrying bikes? I think that’s probably the easiest way to haul our mountain bikes but I’m not sure about the differences in brands. Costs range from about $75 up to $250, but I can’t see much of a difference in any of them. The only options I want are that it can hold at least 4 bikes and it has an opening that will let me still use the back up camera.

 

I tried the Yakima pad for "large" trucks on my F150. Ended up selling it, bike tires stuck out farther than I liked and didn't sit deep enough onto the tailgate for me. Our (F150 and 250) tailgates are fairly thick, I think it would be a great way to carry bikes for a small or mid size truck..

 

What I've done is buy a good quality floor rack and place the front wheel of one bike and the rear wheel of the other in the rack. Then I take a ratchet strap and belly wrap the frame near the front fork and tighten it down compressing the suspension, using the Ford tie downs on the sides of the bed. I do the same on the rear facing bike, strapping it to the back set of hooks. We have made a few trips like this, one all the way from Jax to Mackinack Island, Mi. with no problems. I have a cable lock I run through the gooseneck tie down in the bed and we are good to go. I think ther should be enough space for you to do 4 bikes. That way there is nothing to gate in the way of your back up camera. Just make sure you are pulling slightly to the rack and the rack has some kind of rubber feet or a rubber-like mat to sit on for traction. A bed liner also helps to keep the rack in place, but I've never had a issue with them coming loose or moving around. Another thing I've had to do is carry a set of folding steps to reach over the side since these trucks are so tall. Doesn't help to have T-Rex arms and a gut!

 

I have a bike pad. I had an f150 and the pad would allow 4 bikes, but to have 4 bikes load, the wheels would block the rear camera. We typically only carried 2 or 3 bikes. I would put the 3rd bike on with out a wheel.

I just upgraded to a 2019 f250. The pad still works, There is a section that folds in to allow the camera to work.

BUT, the center of the tailgate on the F250 is much thicker (I think this is due to the step, that you can use while the pad is installed). I am still able to hold 2 bikes, one on either side, but not sure if I can still fit a bike over the center section of the tail gate.

We pull a trailer and this set up lets us haul bikes and tow. I will take some photos and post.

 

I use a Yakima tailgate pad on my 19 250. I used it on my F150 for a few years and it has held up well. I can throw 6 bikes on the back if needed (my kids have more than one) and don’t have any issues with them bouncing around. I have a travel trailer and pull that with the bikes in the bed. I have a long cable lock that can lock all bikes and front wheels so they wouldn’t be easy to steal. There isn’t anything that will happen in the truck that can’t happen on the trail.

For me, the pad is super easy for multiple bikes. If it is just my bike I have a fork mount on a 2x8 in the front of the bed so I don’t need to break out the pad.

 

Thanks for the replies. We tow a travel trailer and I think the pad is the best option. Leaves some room for firewood and other random stuff in the bed. I thought about an A-Frame mount for the trailer, but I don’t like any of the designs. I’m not concerned about access to the bed or opening the tailgate, I just would like to still be able to use the camera for hooking up to the trailer. The camera is much more effective, efficient, and less stressful compared to lining up using my wife’s hand signals!

I see mixed reviews online about pretty much every pad when used on a SD because of how thick the tailgate is in the middle. I do like how the Yakima has pads to hold the bikes in position.