First Look: Race Face T2 Tailgate Pad

 Crazy talk. It’s the LAW!

 @jfkusa: Yah Trudeau passed bill C-69 through the house of commons last summer stating all mtbs must be carried in a toyota tacoma either over a tail gate pad or on a vertical rack no tray racks or roof racks allowed

 @endurogan: as of course is tradition

 Anybody who gets rad in any sport or does outdoorsy stuff absolutely must have a Tacoma.

 @endurogan: it’s the second part of the IFHT quote from the first time riding on the north shore video.

 @Satn69: with a canada flag sticker on the fender too?

 Grim Donut Spotted in the wild!! Usually that means... Full review tomorrow?!

 @tgent: Huck to flat! huck to flat!

 Need an 8 foot bed to fit the Grim Donut.

 Only clicked link to see a glimpse of GD.

 Check out the Yakima GateKeeper Pad.

 Thanks for your feedback here. This T2 pad does offer padding to protect the down tube. In the images in this article the pad is rolled to the back a bit to much but when the pad is installed square to the tailgate the rear foam bumpers and further layer of foam between the bumpers craddle the downtube and does provide foam protection as well. We have made every effort to create a pad that fits well, protects your bike, and protects your truck.

 @raceface: This should honestly be a Showcase feature - Not "rolled to the back a bit too much" because by the looks of it - it would appear to be the exact same issue just continued forwards. Your reassurance sounds A lot like the last sales rep I spoke to assuring me it would not damage by bikes or my truck and that the padding was in fact sufficient to prevent frame damage. - All of those statements proved to be very false upon actual putting my money down.

 @blair-j79: Now That is a SMART design ! - If only they would allow the rear view camera to work in conjuncture with it ! We may have an actual well designed quality product on our hands for a change !

 Yea, couldn't agree more. This seems to be another product that has thousands of hours of design and zero hours of field testing. Lots of decent ideas that have be rendered obsolete by poor execution.

So many questions for the Raceface Social Media Intern!

1. Whats the logic in having no additional padding in the only real contact area? (Downtube on top edge of Tailgate). You guys literally put a rough webbing strap there as well. Makes no sense to me why you would reduce padding and add abrasive materials. The only places you've made extra padded will see little to zero use.

2. Why is the stanchion padding missing in the only area it is needed? The only place I've ever seen stanchion rub was on the handle, since it protrudes from the padded area. This combined with your mediatory slots for bikes, means that the middle bike will fixed directly on top of the handle that sticks out, un protected...

3. Why add padding between the downtimes on a surface that literally cannot be touched. The 2" padding on the inside is completely useless. There is absolutely no way for a downtime to touch there. Not even if the Grim Doughnut went electric and had a battery bigger than the new Intense, you'd still have a missive gap. I would love to see these pads being used in any way, shape or form. Otherwise, this extra padding and stitching is nothing more than added costs for an unusable feature.

4. Can you explain how the "6 adjustment straps" work? These seem to be another marketing gimmick as they appear to only cinch the top contact edge? The edge is so slim anyways, wont the lower seams rotate to the contact area once installed on a new, wide lipped tailgates? Regardless, the claim for ANY truck is total BS. I have no doubt in my mind that this will look like a tiny little x-rated bikini on my full-sized truck, while simultaneously reducing my shuttle capabilities from 7-8 bikes to 5.

5. Why are the rivets, used to lock the pad to your truck, located on the outer top edges? This means if you lock in to your upper bed mounts, you end up locking your tailgate shut?? Or you end up running a long cable lock to the bottom bed mounts but then you have a long cable rubbing against your bikes on the outer edge.

 @UNITEDFREERIDE: The answer to all your questions is this: "Need to make some profit margin back on all those failed Next SL cranks so said social media intern design it. #publiclytradedcorp

 @smashnuk: Not at all the same thing really. If you look at our IG post today you can see that there is padding under the downtube when a bike is onboard. The workings of the rear foam bumper pieces also . We regularly transport our personal and athlete bikes on our TG pads and we 100% trust in them to keep the bikes safe and secure.

www.instagram.com/p/B97End7BqcA

 @UNITEDFREERIDE: No social media interns over here bud....lol. Thanks for your feedback - lets dive in to your comments :

1) We definitely have additional padding and protection where the frame contacts the pad + rear inner edge of the tailgate. The images in this PB article do not accurately display the pad in its usable position. You can check the images of the pad in use in our IG post from today - www.instagram.com/p/B97End7BqcA Slide 4 shows how the foam bumpers cradle the downtube to eliminate any side to side flop of the bike and the additional layers of foam padding under the downtube contact area is also visible.

2) If you reference slide 5 of our IG post (link above) you will see that there is some additional padding situated above the adjustable camera/gate latch window. This will provide similar protection for the fork stanchions as when a bike is installed with the foam bumper underneath. The adjustable panel of the rear cam window is also padded for additional protection for a bike located in the center.

3) Not entirely clear on what you are referring to here but think you mean the foam panels on the rear of the pad. When the pad is in its correct position these foam panels divide the bikes from each other and prevent any side to side movement or flopping. You can again refer to Slide 4 of that IG post to see the rear foam panels in action.

4) The patent pending RF exclusive adjustment system works kind of like an accordion....the straps allow you to cinch the pad in to take the shape of your particular trucks tailgate shape. The material section underneath the adjustment straps is made to 'accordion' to fit the shape as the adjustment straps are set on install. Refer to slides 2+3 of our IG post as that shows how the adjustment feature allows for the pad to take the shape of any tailgate. We have not seen any rotation issue with wide lipped tailgates. We have tried this pad on tons of trucks, new and old and this pad can fit them ALL - no BS. The images in that IG post are all on a 2017 Ford F350 - a full size truck. We offer the T2 pad in two simple sizes: Small/Medium (for Mid-sized and below) and L/XL (for Full Size). The S/M pad is rated to carry 5 bikes and the L/XL model has secure positions to carry 6 bikes - it would be possible to fit additional bikes on the edges of the L/XL size but those bikes would not have the security of a downtube strap - there would be padding available for protecting the downtube and fork in this case of carrying beyond 6 bikes.

5) The lock grommets are located on each end of the rear in truck section of the pad, allowing riders to loop a cable through the tailgate pad into loops on the inside of the truck box, as well as through the bike frames. In all likelihood, a long enough cable would be used, allowing the tailgate to be opened with the cable in place. Due to the small size of the rear section of the pad inside the box, there was no way to move the grommet closer to where the tailgate hinges. This long cable could easily be placed or even secured to prevent any cable on bike damage

Thanks again for your interest and feedback!

 @raceface: Any shot you guys tested this pad on a 2009-2018 dodge ram 1500? The ram has the obnoxiously wide handle on the top pretty much making the tailgate about 8 inches wide. Almost impossible to put a bike over the tailgate but it would be nice if your pad allowed it.

 @lgs42: I run a thule pad on a 2013 ram 1500 - mtbs are good over the square top tailgate no problem - road bikes are no go

 @raceface: do road bikes ride well on the pad?

 @lgs42: Hey there. 100% can verify this pd will work on your Ram 1500. We were using a similar truck during the development of this new T2 pad....you are good to go!

 @DeltaNiner: Yes! Road + Gravel bikes will work on the pad as well. We tested with all sorts of bikes to make sure it could handle it all.

 @raceface: I also have Ram only a couple years old. The fit isn't really what I'm worried about ... because the top of the tailgate has a taper, every bike that's not directly in the middle of the tailgate wants to fall over because of that taper, as soon as the road gets a little bit bumpy. Does this solve that? If so, how? Looking for a pad to solve this! Thanks in advance.

 Loving all the Grim Donut Cameo's

 @landscapeben: at least now we know that you don't need to remove the rear wheel to fit it on a truck

 @landscapeben: That front tire.....hangs low.....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6HNikdk9u4

 @RoadStain: Scrubbing..

 I just gave up on the backup camera, turns out driving without it doesn't suck that bad. It was nice for hooking up trailers by yourself though.

 Does it cover the backup camera? I also have a Silverado and am looking for a pad that still lets me use that.

 @Austinin: This new T2 pad has an adjustable panel that will allow you to adjust the pad to allow full usage of your back-up cam and gate latch handle.

 303 Protectant applied liberally helps!!

 The design of our T2 pad will keep the bikes onboard stable while the truck is moving. Combine that security with the PVC tarpaulin outer fabric and can be sure that your bikes and fork stanchion will be safe.

 I didn't have any issues all of last year. I just give my stanchion and downtube a wipe where it's going to contact before loading and it's all good. If there's crud on the pad itself I give that a quick wipe as well, still way faster, 100% will always have a pad as long as I have a truck.

 I have the fox seat cover and it's come in handy twice so far. Not worth the money at all, but it did come in handy.

 I have RaceFace seat covers. They work well for what they're intended for.

 @tiredsoul: yup smart idea they are.

 Second the 303 on the threads tip!

 As someone new to the Colorado family, curious if you've seen frame damage using any of those? I've got the Dakine pad and realized that it doesn't cover the downtube area without some weird adjustments. Didn't take long to see frame marks and one partial damage from it.

 i had the same experience.

 I bought a racface pad last year, looks a lot like this one but just has a flap for the tailgate handle. I leave it on all the time, it's been solid.

 I had the same experience with the previous RF pad. Disintegrated on my truck after about 9 months of use in Socal.

 I started on the OG Dakine pad 10 years or so ago. It did the job, but the rough surface under the pad didn't treat the paint of my tailgate very nicely. I've since had the second gen Dakine (not much different but had a softer underside) and I've now been using the EVOC for the last few years. The EVOC is by far the best, but it is not perfect. The straps needed manual adjusting/cutting in order to fit through their own loops, and the rough, heavy strap is what contacts the bike's downtube (same with this RF pad apparently) which is bonkers because the molded padding is the ideal material for contacting a frame. I have an extra long U-lock fixed to my truck which is great for security, but I always place my bike on top of the pads rather than in between unless I need to lock it up. The other issue I have is the spacing of the small/medium pads is way too tight for six slots. I would prefer 5 slots spaced out a bit further. I'm sure this is a non-issue with larger pads. The other issue with the EVOC is graphics, which are frankly obnoxious. Unfortunately, it looks like this new RF pad has the same issues (with more modest graphics) and they focused on fixing problems that I do not experience.

 @abeck59: Been using mine EVOC since 2012, sun faded and dirty but still doing it,s job.

 @salespunk: Sorry to hear about your poor experience with a previous generation of RF TG pad. This new T2 pad has a different outer fabric - PVC tarpaulin fabric which will mean more durability over long term use and extended time in the sun. Your truck remains protected with the pads micro-brushed inner lining - and the bikes are happy with all the foam layers and strategic foam blocking.

 @Klainmeister: This new T2 pad definitely has protecting your bike in mind. The frame straps keep the bike in place and the rear foam blocks do keep the frames aligned in their designated slots - plus the foam padding under the area where the downtube rests against the pad+tailgate protects from damage as well. Do not need a ton of padding in that space because the bikes are held securely in place - minimal movement minimizes damage opportunities.

 www.pinkbike.com/photo/12767604

Like this?

 @JMslo: Not quite, they need to be down on the exterior face of the tailgate, down near the fork lowers. Bomberstrap has it figured out, they're just super spendy if you're trying to shuttle 5 bikes.

 Thanks for the feedback. We have found that having the foam blocks on the backside of the pad and the downtube straps work amazingly well together to keep the bikes stable, secure, and safe in their designated slots. The foam blocks keep the frames from moving side to side in the truck bed which is important - especially on rougher shutting roads.

 @raceface: Does PB have it installed wrong in the review photos? Those blocks are nowhere close to the downtube. The grooves in the bed floor of my Taco holds the bikes in place side-to-side way better than the tailgate pad holds them upright. I'd like to be wrong, because I haven't found a tailgate pad that actually holds bikes securely, but I don't see how this is functionally different from anything else out there.

 @maxyedor: We will be relaeasing a fun video next week that will show how the bikes stay stable even on rough access roads - you can make up your mind from there. The pad in the photos is installed a bit more 'rolled back' than what is ideal - that may be to accommodate the slack lines of the Grim Donut but when the pad is installed in a more ideal position the foam bumpers do contribute ti the bike stability along with the downtube straps.

 You can check our Instagram post on this new T2 pad...gives some great views on how the rear foam blocks and downtube straps work to keep the frame secure and in place.

www.instagram.com/p/B97End7BqcA

 The new adjustment features of the T2 pad allows this pad to fit ANY shape of tailgate - including curved ones like you mentioned. Check our IG post on the pad for some more detailed views of the pad in action.

www.instagram.com/p/B97End7BqcA

 I use a RaceFace pad and it fit my '19 Ram 1500 and '19 Ram 3500 with no issues. The bulge at the top of the tailgate makes it fit a bit weird but still works fine

 @tattooedmillionaire: And if using this new T2 pad the fit would be even better on that RAM tailgate because the new adjustment feature to allow the pad to shape around a curved tailgate or fit on wide tailgate designs.

Check our IG post to see some images that show that adjustment system in action:

www.instagram.com/p/B97End7BqcA

 @raceface: i stand corrected. Looks good on the larger truck.

 It’s raw aluminum

 Not an issue for transition owners (you know what i mean) haha

 Not to mention the strap over the cable.

 If the frame doesn't move then there is no real chance for any rub damage. That is why we have the foam blocks on the backside and the downtube straps (which should be wrapped under any cables) - the design keeps the bikes securly in place over the roughest of roads.

 They help to support the downtube and keep the bikes spaced evenly and vertical.

 @techride: as we can see in the photo the downtube is far away from the square pads so looks useless. But I think the square pads on the outside is a great ideia.

 @mudmandhbrazil: It's the Grim Donut's geo that is pulling the down tube away from those dividing blocks. With a more standard (64-66 deg) HTA, your fork won't stick out as far, bringing the down tube back into contact so those blocks can keep things in place.

 @mudmandhbrazil: The pad in these article images is installed a little more 'rolled back' then we would suggest. That may be because of the Grim Donut frame design - but when the pad is in its correct position and when a more 'traditional' bike is onboard the foam bumpers and downtube straps keep the frame in its slot and prevents side to side movement.

 Also you can check out our IG post on this new T2 pad to see some clear images on how the rear foam pads work to cradle the downtube and limit side to side movement.

www.instagram.com/p/B97End7BqcA

 @raceface: thank you for your attention, now I can see in the Instagram picture how the internal square pads really works. I could notice that something was wrong in the PB pictures. I like a lot this idea never seen on any other foam pads.
How did the person who installed it not notice that something was wrong? Maybe the truck is small? Anyway looks like a very good product.

 @raceface: I tightened the pad to get the back pads to line up with the tailgate and it's not even close.. I have a tacoma is there someone I can contact to see what I'm doing wrong? This is an old thread hopefully you see it.

 With the pad design and frame strap system the bike really do not move when the truck is travelling - even over rough roads. We design our Tailgate pads to keep your bike and truck in the shape they started out with.

 @raceface: That rough strap over the downtube tho...as the bike slightly shifts it'll wear the paint down. Is it soft material under the strap or just that same really rough/stout webbing?? That same looking webbing is on my Dakine pad and its damaged my paint a fair amount, I'd like to buy something better there. Plus that hard D ring on the strap placed against my frame...

 @Svinyard: Understand your concern but we use the T2 pad for all our projects and trips to events and trade shows (with lots of riding in between!) and we have not seen instances of wear like you are mentioning. The bikes, when installed on a correctly installed pad, will have very minimal movement that will protect the frame finish.

 The Adjustment system with the six straps allows this T2 pad to fit ANY shape of tailgate - including RAM. With this strap system you can have set the pad up to match the shape of the larger, curved tailgate designs. You should give it a try - it will fit perfectly!

 pad is no prob on the wide tailgate RAM

 @raceface: ok, I like your enthusiasm. I'll give it a go but I'm skeptical!

 @Bkbroila: We used an employee's RAM 1500 a lot during the development of this T2 pad. It will work on the RAM - for sure!

 @raceface: oh man, that's good news. Thanks for the reply!

 Check out our IG post and you will have a clearer idea of how the rear foam bumpers work and how the adjustment system allows this pad to cleanly fit all sizes and shaped of tailgates.

www.instagram.com/p/B97End7BqcA

 @raceface: Ah much better, very cool. I like it! Mine and my kids bikes flop side to side at times on rougher roads (lean over basically). Would be nice to keep things stable.