Raceface T3 / Fox Mission Tailgate pad installed

[komek]

I've had hitch racks, roof racks, and fork mount roof racks during my MTB journey and I'm trying something different. I know hitch racks are awesome but I really don't like the look and how much they affect the rear sensors personally. If you like em, great! Its good to find what works for you.

I had PPF put on the tailgate to give me peace of mind.

(Please refrain from using the "Quote" reply, since there's a lot of photos and we don't need to keep reposting them just use the normal Reply)

Tailgate pad thoughts, in case this helps anyone else in their pad journey:
-install is not quick imo, i wouldn't get this assuming you'll take it off and on constantly.
-definitely need some frame protection for scratches. my bike is always dirty and the frame resting in some dirt moving around is for sure going to mar up the paint. not an issue since i have some AMS stickers on there and I'll add more.
-pad is super adjustable since it's made of a few sections. you can slide them around and adjust to what you need. i'm probably going to go re-adjust the stanchion pad section to be lower so the fork leg lowers sit on it, instead of the stanchions.
-when you start the truck, one of the parking sensors is beeping since the tire is setting it off. after driving away 15ft or so it stops. i think it gave me the option to turn it off or something but i just left it. note that this is just when the bike is on and you're in reverse.
-not 100% sure about the tonneau cover on this for the Ranger specifically. See the stair-stepped sideview of the top of the tailgate in the pics and you'll see what I mean.

Overall I'm extremely happy with it. Putting the bike on/off is as fast as my other racks (excluding fork mount of course) and the bike is super stable when driving.

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[RB205]

Those pads look so nice and tidy.

Someone a single bike pad looks lonely to me, like you can't carry friends bikes for a big shuttle day.

 

[joordan]

I have the same pad since months, and it works great.
Adding a caveat though..the folded flap for the second bike somehow does interfere with camera system in using the reverse autobrake system. It always pops up as unavailable
Not caring much of the feature and I would disable it, but it’s another annoying thing of this truck that requires shut off every engine start

 

[John E Davies]

Add heavy (8+ mil) PPF to the frame and the fork tube, and carry a spray bottle with water, and some rags, wipe off the dust on both the pad and the bike before you put it there. It takes a few seconds, and the water and rags are useful for other stuff too… like clearing your brake lights.

Do you lock the bike to the rear tiedown cleat also?

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[komek]

Those pads look so nice and tidy.

Someone a single bike pad looks lonely to me, like you can't carry friends bikes for a big shuttle day.

Haha! I'm intentionally lonely It holds 2 bikes, but I don't/rarely shuttle. I mostly ride solo or meet buddies at the trailheads so I don't have a need to carry other's bikes. Definitely opt for the full size pad if you have a regular shuttle crew, of course.

Add heavy (8+ mil) PPF to the frame and the fork tube, and carry a spray bottle with water, and some rags, wipe off the dust on both the pad and the bike before you put it there. It takes a few seconds, and the water and rags are useful for other stuff too… like clearing your brake lights.

Do you lock the bike to the rear tiedown cleat also?

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

I''m looking into a heavy duty chain lock to lock the bike to the truck, but honestly I don't park and leave the vehicle with the bike much so for now, I'll just head straight home from the trailheads until I sort that out.

 

[RB205]

I'm looking into a heavy duty chain lock to lock the bike to the truck,

I highly highly highly recommend getting a nice Abus u-lock and removing your bike from the bed to lock to something more secure at the restaurant, grocery store, wherever. Keep the lock under the back seat and readily accessible.

I've done this for 15+ years with $5-10K MTBs and never had an issue. Living in and traveling through high bike theft areas . . .

Never trust a cable lock out of sight, never lock your bike to your vehicle, never leave a locked bike out overnight. These are three truths that will keep your bike from being stolen just about anywhere.

 

[komek]

I highly highly highly recommend getting a nice Abus u-lock and removing your bike from the bed to lock to something more secure at the restaurant, grocery store, wherever. Keep the lock under the back seat and readily accessible.

I've done this for 15+ years with $5-10K MTBs and never had an issue. Living in and traveling through high bike theft areas . . .

Never trust a cable lock out of sight, never lock your bike to your vehicle, never leave a locked bike out overnight. These are three truths that will keep your bike from being stolen just about anywhere.

Appreciate the suggestions but no way in hell I'm locking my bike up outside a store, restaurant, etc. Fwiw, I'm not new to biking either. I just go straight home from the trails. It's not worth the risk to me. If you can manage it, awesome!

I'm in King county WA where bike theft is an organized business at this point, with these lovely folks ready with angle grinders ready to steal bikes fast like F1 mechanics change tires

 

[joordan]

I always used a kriptonite long cable + kriptonite lock.
The cable routed from the hitch safety chain receiver via a girth hitch knot through the front wheel then through the bike frame and rear wheel to end up with the lock on one of the bed hook. The one I replaced the screw with anti-theft one. Never had an issue

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