Fox Tailgate Cover Review

Tailgate pads are one of the easiest ways to haul multiple mountain bikes, and the Fox Tailgate Cover checks all the right boxes. I tested the small version during a 1,500-mile round trip to Arkansas and back, and it proved to be an impressively secure and convenient way to transport bikes.

Fit and installation

The small-size pad I tested, which holds five bikes, is designed to fit mid-size trucks like the Toyota Tacoma. The large, six-bike tailgate cover is sized for full-size pickups like the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado. As you can see from the photos, the small-size cover I tested leaves plenty of room to spare on a Silverado.

Installation is straightforward: toss it over the tailgate, thread the straps through, and cinch everything down. It’s about as plug-and-play as it gets, and once mounted, the pad stayed put for my entire trip. I found zero scuffs or scratches on the tailgate despite driving dirty bikes 75mph through both intense sun and rain.

Fox includes six Velcro straps with the small cover, even though there are mounts for just five bikes. It’s not clear what the longer, sixth strap is for, so I used it to secure two of the bikes together — tire to fork — to keep them from wiggling on rough roads.

The pad also features a flap for the backup camera that works as advertised. However, with bikes loaded, the camera ends up being almost entirely blocked anyway. This feature could come in handy if you are only transporting one or two bikes, or if you leave the pad on your truck regularly.

Bike fit and transport

I loaded five mountain bikes onto the Fox Tailgate Cover, including four bikes with bikepacking bags attached. Honestly, I was surprised everything fit without needing to make any adjustments or remove any bags. On a different bikepacking trip, our group used a fancy hitch rack, and it was a struggle to get all the bars and saddles aligned just right.

The webbing sewn into the pad keeps bikes stable and secure. I worried that the velcro straps might scratch the finish on our bikes’ downtubes, so I wrapped each bike with a short section of inner tube before securing the velcro straps. For shorter trips, I think the velcro straps alone are fine, but for a 700+ mile ride, I didn’t want to leave anything to chance, especially when it comes to carbon frames.

Better than a hitch rack, IMO

Compared to a hitch rack, loading and unloading bikes requires a bit more effort since the bikes need to be lifted higher and the front wheels need to be positioned at an angle. This was especially notable with fully loaded bikepacking rigs, some of which weighed as much or more than an eMTB.

I own a four-bike Yakima hitch rack, and after using the Fox Tailgate Cover, it’s my new go-to for hauling four or more bikes. For starters, the tailgate pad fits more bikes (up to six with the large version). It’s also much lighter and easier to install/remove; my hitch rack easily weighs 60lb by itself, and dragging it from the garage to the vehicle isn’t fun. Somehow, I always bang my shin on it! Then there’s the cost. My four-bike hitch rack — which is actually a two-bike rack with a two-bike extension — easily costs $800 or more, compared to the Fox pad, which is priced under $200.

Where a hitch rack might have this pad beat is bike protection, particularly if you’re comparing it to a no-touch rack. There’s definitely a risk of damage to your bike’s downtube, and in fact, some bike brands specifically exclude damage related to tailgate pad transport from their frame warranties. And some hitch racks have locks built in, which is a nice feature.

When transporting bikes using the Fox Tailgate Cover, I ran a cable through the frames and secured the cable with a lock, figuring it would be tough for someone to grab all the bikes at once. Overnight, I secured the cable and lock to hooks welded to the bed of the truck for extra security.

Cleans up good, and padding has proven to protect bikes and truck alike

Despite transporting heavy, dirty bikes for hundreds of miles, the pad still looks good. The tarp-like material cleans up nicely overall, though some dirt stains have proven to be stubborn. And the padding is generous enough to protect both the bikes and the vehicle. It’s available in black or camo, and the materials feel burly enough to last through several seasons of regular use.

At $179.95 MSRP, the Fox Tailgate Pad is competitively priced compared to similar options. Note that less expensive tailgate pads typically don’t include webbing or straps for securing bikes. In my opinion, this is an important feature that is not worth skimping on. More expensive pads tend to offer a bit more adjustability, which could come in handy if you plan to use your pad with multiple vehicles.

Pros and cons of Fox Tailgate Cover

Pros

• Straps hold five or six bikes securely, depending on the size
• Provides good protection for bikes and vehicle alike
• Good value

Cons

• None noted

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a no-fuss, multi-bike hauling solution that protects both your truck and your bikes, the Fox Tailgate Pad is a solid choice. It’s secure, easy to use, and holds up well overall.