Thule Gate Mate Tailgate Pad

$79.89
$99.95^*

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Item # 832035

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Protect your tailgate finish with the Thule Gate Mate Tailgate protective pad for your pickup truck when loading and unloading bikes.

Ultra durable, heavy-duty vinyl pad with foam padding protects both bike and truck tailgate
Integrated blocks prevent bikes from sliding off edge of tailgate
Strap anchors on pad provide tie-down points for bikes and other loads
Durable nylon straps keep pad securely attached to tailgate
Tailgate handle is easily accessed through center flap of pad
Available in 2 sizes to fit full-size and compact pickups; 54 and 62 in.

Please note: Thule products cannot be shipped to Canadian addresses.

Imported.

Item 832035

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Thule Gate Mate Tailgate Pad Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Thule Gate Mate Tailgate Pad

3.0

(based on 1 review)

Reviewed by 1 customer

Displaying review 1

Apr

2013

3.0

Awkward fit

By Zedric

from Northern California

About Me Avid Cyclist

See all my reviews

Pros

Easy to Use
Tie Down Straps

Cons

Materials
Poor Fit

Best Uses

Mountain Bikes
Surfboards

Comments about Thule Gate Mate Tailgate Pad:

The good: I still think this is the best way to transport bikes in a pick up truck. Its better than banging around the pickup bed or spending $1000+ to carry more than two bikes on a nice rail mounted rack. I could fit four bikes easy on this pad. I have used a hitch rack before but more that two all mountain bikes causes it to sway pretty bad. Not to mention it sticks out really far on the back. The tie down straps on the top keep the bikes from sliding into each other. They may rock a little depending on your driving style but putting our gear, camelbaks, etc. between the rear wheels helps.
The not so good: The top pad where the frame is supposed to sit is very wide. I don't know a truck with a tailgate lip that is wide enough for that pad. I have an '05 F150 and the tailgate lip always slides into one of the creases in the pad. If I were to design this, I would make the top pad U shaped. Some people mention modifying the foam pad by cutting slits so it wraps around the top of the tailgate, but I don't want to create a weak point that might damage my frame if I go over a bump. I looked at other mfg's and it looks pretty similar except maybe Yakima's. I could tighten the straps but it looks like it would rip the vinyl. Also, I don't know if all webbing does this, but in the mornings the straps expand and then contracts when it gets warmer in the afternoon. After a morning ride I came back to the truck, and it looked like the vinyl was about to rip. So now when I ride, I have to slide tailgate lip into one of the creases to relieve pressure when the straps shrink. I didn't get this as a gift, but I did use a gift card to pay for the majority of it so I'm not too bummed about it. I would look at others before considering buying this. The picture is so misleading.

Service and delivery comments:

Delivery was very fast. It had creases because it was folded in a box. I let it sit flat in my living room for a day but it didn't help. That doesn't matter if you have bikes on it but I never take the pad off so it looks kind of cheap because it doesn't lay flat.

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