MTB Bike pad - Which one do you use?

[HenryMac]

I've never understood putting anything against the paint? Why?

Buy a Thule rack. Slide it in the hitch. Nothing touches the paint. Educate me as to why I am wrong?

Or build a rack like I did to put the bikes in the bed... so nothing touches the paint.

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[mtbikernate]

I've never understood putting anything against the paint? Why?

Buy a Thule rack. Slide it in the hitch. Nothing touches the paint. Educate me as to why I am wrong?

Or build a rack like I did to put the bikes in the bed... so nothing touches the paint.

You're not wrong. I'm the exact same way.

I've got 3 different ways to transport bikes. 2 in bed. One hitch. None touch the paint of either the truck or the bikes.

 

[GTIDudeMkVI]

Picked up Fox pad with a 20% discount at Trek.

 

[Kevreh]

Got the latchit rack in today.

Very nice fit and finish.

31" from front of bed to the rear 29r tire on a large megatower.

Glad you mentioned the distance to tires.... I want to keep my folding cover on while loading bikes. Not possible putting them on the tailgate.

 

[Kevreh]

Here's my pad alternative: Exodux MultiTaskR with 4 bike mounts.


IMG_8811 by Nate, on Flickr

It attaches to the truck bed using the existing mounting holes for the swing boxes/bed extender.


IMG_8806 by Nate, on Flickr

The multitaskr looks interesting. How much room for the tire to front of bed? Think I mentioned it but it want to use a trifold tonneau while hauling backs. It will be folded of course. Also how long to install and remove?mince thing with the latchit rack is it takes like 20 seconds. Thanks!

 

[mtbikernate]

The multitaskr looks interesting. How much room for the tire to front of bed? Think I mentioned it but it want to use a trifold tonneau while hauling backs. It will be folded of course. Also how long to install and remove?mince thing with the latchit rack is it takes like 20 seconds. Thanks!

I dunno how far. Not that my bikes will matter for anyone else. It all depends on the wheelbase length of your bike. The two bikes I carry with it have VERY different clearance distances.

Doesn't take so long. You spend more time turning the knob to snug the collet inside the headtube than anything else. More time than the latchit. But it also holds the bikes a LOT more securely than the latchit.

Trifold tonneau covers suck for exactly this reason. If I was going to get a tonneau cover, it'd be a Retrax.

 

[Kevreh]

I've never understood putting anything against the paint? Why?

Buy a Thule rack. Slide it in the hitch. Nothing touches the paint. Educate me as to why I am wrong?

Or build a rack like I did to put the bikes in the bed... so nothing touches the paint.

what did you build, something out of wood?

 

[Waxthis]

Only way to fly...Tried em all, and went back to old faithful. When folded up I still fit in the garage..

 

[crocodiledaddee]

I just went with a cheap tailgate pad from Amazon. It works for me. Sturdy, and sits to one side of the tailgate so I have full use of my camera

 

[GMTmin5]

Those who use the Latchit rack, would you still recommend it after using it for a while? I have a hitch rack but don’t want to keep that on the truck everyday. The latchit seems like it will fit all my needs: multiple bikes and bike sizes, easy on/off, locking.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

Those who use the Latchit rack, would you still recommend it after using it for a while? I have a hitch rack but don’t want to keep that on the truck everyday. The latchit seems like it will fit all my needs: multiple bikes and bike sizes, easy on/off, locking.

I've had the latchit rack for a year now and it has been as easy and functional as advertised. So far here's my impression:

- concept is solid, realized product falls short with cheap construction, materials are wearing much sooner than expected, cross members are kinda flimsy.
- bed space is awesome, but extra care must be taken to tie down gear on long trips since the rack is not load bearing
- very easy to carry multiple bikes of any size
- donuts with two bikes loaded in a rutted field confirm that bikes are secure, front wheel strap is a huge plus. Very good design.
- 5000 mile FL-CO-FL trip show no adverse effects from travelling with the tailgate down, tailgate will jump if you hit bumps too fast, bike stayed pretty clean the whole way.
- padded cross member and frame tie downs will scratch/rub bike frame paint, pad itself is starting to deteriorate. Not so good.
- cargo bag is starting to deteriorate, only carry dirty clothes and shoes to and from trails. Not so good.
- lock and cable is another solid concept poorly realized. Good for quick stops at the store, but would not rely on it for long stops.

Overall it is convenient for hauling multiple bikes and I will keep it for that purpose, but I am moving on to an in bed thru-axle mount for road trips and solo rides. Less convenient cause I have to remove the front wheel, but cargo is more secure with the tailgate up and nothing will be rubbing on the frame with the axle mount.

If you have kids or otherwise haul multiple bikes regularly, this rack will serve you well.

 

[GMTmin5]

Thanks for the long-term review. The early wear and tear does not sound promising from something that expensive.

I ended up ordering a Dakine DLX tailgate pad for about $100 that I'll give a shot for local trips and I'll use the hitch mount rack for longer ones or if I need more space in the bed. I regularly carry 3 bikes, at least once/week, to bring my kids to their mtb group so just putting them all in the bed isn't going to work. Figure the pad was inexpensive enough to at least give it a shot as I don't want to keep the hitch rack on the truck all the time.

 

[HenryMac]

what did you build, something out of wood?

Yes. And it fit's in our Ranger too! I used stuff I had on hand and the only thing I purchased specifically for this projects are the bolts and wing nuts. So maybe $4 spent on this.

Happy Trails!

 

[Shelpdogg]

Went from a Kuat Platform rack that weighed about 60lbs to this. I love it.
Doesn't scratch my paint or leave a dent in the tailgate. The padding is thick where the fork stanchions meet the pad and I use a microfiber between the two so as not to scratch anything.

 

[YaBoiNewton]

Thanks for the long-term review. The early wear and tear does not sound promising from something that expensive.

I ended up ordering a Dakine DLX tailgate pad for about $100 that I'll give a shot for local trips and I'll use the hitch mount rack for longer ones or if I need more space in the bed. I regularly carry 3 bikes, at least once/week, to bring my kids to their mtb group so just putting them all in the bed isn't going to work. Figure the pad was inexpensive enough to at least give it a shot as I don't want to keep the hitch rack on the truck all the time.

Yeah I hate to leave a bad review for a small business with such a good idea. The concept is fantastic, and fundamentally works very well, but they flopped with construction and material selection. I don't regret buying it and I'll continue to use it for hauling multiple bikes, but I expected better for $400.

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