The best tailgate pads for PEV riders.
If you own a truck, a tailgate pad hauls more bikes for less money than any hitch rack — drape, strap, go. For heavy e-bikes the details that matter are strap quality and battery weight, and two makers here call out e-bike-rated strapping specifically.
Our top picks
The short answer. Every pick is written up in full below.
Compare the picks
| Product | Bikes | Sizes | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race FaceT3 Tailgate PadTop pick | Up to 6 | Half / Mid / Full | E-bike-rated straps |
| EVOCTailgate Pad | Up to 6 | M/L and XL, flat or curved | Extra-long e-bike straps |
| FoxMission Tailgate Pad | Up to 6 | 2-Bike / Mid / Full | Camera sightline panel |
| DakinePickup Pad DLX | Up to 7 (Large) | S / L | Lock grommet, camera flap |
The picks in full
T3 Tailgate Pad
The current generation of the pad that defined the category, with e-bike-rated straps and molded fork protection.
- E-bike-rated straps
- Tonneau-cover compatible
- Flip panel keeps the backup camera usable
- No tool pockets
- Bikes
- Up to 6
- Sizes
- Half / Mid / Full
- Notable
- E-bike-rated straps
Tailgate Pad
The premium fit: aluminum cam buckles, molded spacer blocks between bikes, and extra-long straps included specifically for e-bikes.
- E-bike battery straps included
- Molded blocks stop bike-on-bike contact
- Curved-tailgate version exists
- Cam-buckle install is more involved than drape-and-strap
- Bikes
- Up to 6
- Sizes
- M/L and XL, flat or curved
- Notable
- Extra-long e-bike straps
Mission Tailgate Pad
Fox's flagship pad: two-panel design that adjusts to tailgate height and keeps the backup camera sightline clear.
- Adjusts to tailgate height
- Tonneau-cover compatible
- No e-bike-specific strap claim
- Bikes
- Up to 6
- Sizes
- 2-Bike / Mid / Full
- Notable
- Camera sightline panel
Pickup Pad DLX
The high-capacity option: up to seven bikes on the Large, with a lock-cable grommet the others skip.
- Highest bike count here
- Security grommet takes a cable lock
- 20 mm padding is thinner than the premium pads
- Bikes
- Up to 7 (Large)
- Sizes
- S / L
- Notable
- Lock grommet, camera flap
How we pick
We do not lab-test this gear. These picks come from published manufacturer specifications, the certifications that carry real weight in each category, and what long-term owners report. Where a manufacturer does not publish a figure we leave it blank rather than estimate it, which is why some cells in the table read as a dash.
Badges are ours and reflect the trade-off each product wins on, not what any brand paid for. Placement is never sold. When we start testing gear hands-on, this section will say so and will name what changed.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Picks are chosen editorially; placement is never sold.