Race Face Tailgate Pad Reviews & Buying Guide For 2023

For those looking for ways to transport your bikes with your truck’s help safely, the Race Face tailgate pads might be your knight in shining armor. Not only does the tailgate pad create a barrier between your vehicle and the bike itself, but it also saves your bike from incurring any damage on the way.

When you’re blasting out several loops on the bike trails, tailgate pads are especially beneficial for folks who commute with their bicycles, as it’s fast and easy to sling multiple bikes on the tailgate of a truck.

Furthermore, they are great for getting around town, getting in and out of the trailhead, or even lengthier adventures. Race Face tailgate pads shall do the job for you. Keep reading to relieve the hassle of carrying your bikes the way that could damage them- use a tailgate pad instead!

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Race Face Tailgate Covers

The following is a full product line of the Race Face tailgate covers that will offer models that will fit your needs. There are choices in colors and sizes to please your needs the best.

Our detailed reviews shall walk you through your journey of acquiring the perfect tailgate bike pad for your needs!

Race Face T2 Tailgate Pad S/M (Small)

Race Face T2 Tailgate Pad in-Ferno, S/MRace Face T2 Tailgate Pad in-Ferno, S/MCHECK CURRENT PRICE

The Race Face T2 tailgate pad comes in two sizes – a small and a large. For the small one, it is applicable for 5 bikes to be carried upon your truck. It arrives in black and inferno colors to offer you the variety of looks that you wish for. Often, people like to match the tailgate pads to the colors of their trucks or bikes; this makes the whole look fashionable.

The tailgate pad comes with a camera panel in the rear side that is adjustable for your convenience. The raised bumpers along with the downtube straps, provide extra safety and precaution to the overall design of the tailgate pad.

This is one of the tailgate pads that will fit any current mid-size vehicle, including Toyota Tacoma. The cushion is tailored to the strange shape of these modern truck tailgates with six straps. Its four primary straps hold it more snugly than some other pads’ three straps. The grommets enable the pads and bicycles to be secured to the truck using a (not supplied) chain or lanyard, which you may purchase at the hardware store easily. The issue is perfectly solved by the redeemable pads that provide access to the rearview camera and tailgate latch.

Pros

  • Secure mechanism
  • Adjustable rear view camera flap
  • Fits most bikes

Cons

  • Installation might be tough to understand and execute

Race Face T2 Tailgate Pad X/XL (Large)

RaceFace T2 Tailgate Pad Black XLRaceFace T2 Tailgate Pad Black XLCHECK CURRENT PRICE

This T2 tailgate pad arrives in black and inferno, if you’re somebody who wishes to coordinate the colors of their tailgate pad to that of their truck and bikes. The pad holds 6 bikes of a larger size. Thus, if your bike wasn’t fitting in the smaller version of the Race Face T2 tailgate pad, the X/XL size is going to be perfect for you.

With the PVC tarpaulin material, the tailgate pad aims to achieve maximum durability. It further has a micro-brushed inner lining, that adds to the strength of the tailgate pad. It holds up to 6 bikes. If you’re looking for the tailgate pad for traveling, this size is the perfect one recommended by travelers around the world.

This size also provides security for your bikes and the truck, with straps enabled along with the durability feature. However, you need to install it perfectly, or it won’t be serving you that well.

Pros

  • Maximum durability
  • Fits bigger sized bikes
  • Secure feature

Cons

  • The latches need to be installed with extra care
  • The straps might be too short

Race Face Tailgate Pad Guide

Before setting your foot forward to actually buying the Race Face tailgate pads, it is crucial you understand the key features and considerations. There are a plethora of details you need to verify before purchasing one finally. Start noting the points below and create your customized list of requirements for the tailgate pads.

Interesting facts

The Race Face tailgate pads are actually quite similar to the Fox Overland pads, if you haven’t noticed already. Ever wondered why that is so?

Well, Race Face has been owned by Fox Factory since the beginning; the fact has also been mentioned in our blog about Fox Tailgate pads. This is why you can find quite some similarities between the T2 tailgate pads of Race Face with the Fox Overland ones!

Sizes

As you can understand from the detailed reviews, the tailgate pads from Race Face arrive in two sizes- S/M and X/XL. While the smaller size holds 5 medium-sized bikes, the larger version is able to hold 6 bikes. This makes the size factor quite essential to be understood before you go out to purchase the tailgate pads.

There’s also your truck’s size. You should go for an S/M-sized tailgate pad if you have a medium-sized truck. If you have a full-sized truck, you can go for a large tailgate pad. While the number of bikes does play a huge role, but the size of your truck should be the deciding factor in choosing.

Number of bikes

The size of the tailgate pad determines the number of bikes you can carry at once. So, you will have to factor this in if you want to pick the right tailgate pad for yourself.

While medium tailgate pads let you carry up to five bikes, large tailgate pads let you carry six. So, depending on how much you have to carry, you’ll need to pick the right one for yourself.

Colors

The Race Face T2 tailgate pads arrive in four colors- black, inferno, floral, and patina. The black and inferno options are more available and sought out after due to the mature look. The floral and patina are more of the options for people who want a little more detail in their tailgate pads. Since the pads are going to display on your truck, you might want to purchase one that suits your preferences and personal style. The durability and features on all 4 colors are exactly the same; you do not have to worry about one performing better than the other.

Material

In comparison to most tailgate pads on the marketplace, the Race Face T2 Tailgate pad is made of similar materials. The pad’s exterior is made of PVC Tarpaulin, while the interior is totally made of a micro-brushed liner. Four straps strung through ordinary plastic adjusters secure the T2 to the actual tailgate. You can expect the best service from these materials, as they promise premium service and durability through these premium materials.

Securing

There are two major concerns regarding securing the bikes on your vehicle with tailgate pads. You must attach the bikes to the pad, but more importantly, you must connect the pad to the tailgate.

Let’s go through how you may do that. Most tailgate bike pads come with a strap-lock system. To secure the tailgate pad to the vehicle, you need to take the straps through the tailgate hinge to the other end of the pad. For example, if you take the belt from the outer side, you must retrace it to the pad’s end on the inner side through the hinge.

Finally, attach the strap to their respective locks. At first, connect them only loosely. Now, close the tailgate and focus on the straps on the upper side. If they’re fitted loosely, tighten them and tuck in extra fabric as you go.

Now, tighten the two straps on the middle of the tailgate pad. Once they’re in place, tighten the outer straps. Following this will help you ensure a snug fit of the tailgate pad and will keep it from moving around while in use.

When securing the bikes to the pad itself, you’ll need to use the straps on the tailgate pad. For each cycle, there will be one strap on the pad. You need to mount the bike on the pad with its brake rotors facing outwards and front tires hanging outside. Then, use the straps on the tailgate pads to secure the bike, and you’re done!

Opening and Access Flap

The rearview camera flap is a detail that has been mentioned a lot in this review, due to the absolute convenience and adjustability of the feature.

The opening and access flap lets you adjust the rear camera access to your liking; you don’t have to keep thinking about it for the rest of the journey!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Race Face tailgate pads compare with Dakine?

Please comment below if you are interested in Race Face vs Dakine tailgate pad comparisons.

Conclusion

The tailgate pads from Race Face are a bundle of features you wish for in a full-proof pad. The pads can be adjusted as per your tailgate’s shape. Six adjustment straps offer total flexibility to fit this on any truck. Also, it protects your bike from damage using raised bumpers.

It is safe and secure for your truck and bike and durable to carry along on a journey. The camera adds extra points to this tailgate pad’s already great reviews. Get your preferences sorted out, and get your ideal tailgate pad now!

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