I have the Troy Lee Designs pad. Works great although the camera is blocked. So much faster to use than a hitch mount rack.

 

If you don't mind a bit of wood working, get a bundle of 2x2s from HD, some screws and construction adhesive. fits four bikes without touching each other. I have bungy cords attached, but unless i'm travelling a long way, there is no need for them. The bikes stay in the troughs.

edit: you'll need a couple of 2x4s as well for the bottom cross pieces.

 

I like the looks of the Raceface one. https://www.raceface.com/products/de...ate-pad-guards

Hoping there will be some updated versions soon that are designed specifically for our tailgates. I know the existing ones will work, but I would prefer that if I’m spending the money on one that it fits the contours well. I want something that is going to be secure and protect my bike and my truck as I paid a lot of money for both of them. Can’t remember which brand it was, but one that I read about had a way of securing the flap for the tailgate handle up so that the rear camera could still be used.

 

Bringing this back from the dead. Did a specific tailgate cover ever come out for the F-150?

 

I would be leary about most tailgate pads with the width of the top of the tailgate. If you have a carbon bike, you are putting a lot of pressure on the downtube below the headtube. a stand-up rack for the back is my choice. Even on a short box you can put them in backwards and turn the front wheel to fit.

 

Only touches the wheels to hold the bikes. Full access to the bed with the roll up cover.

 

Was this mounted to the bed rails using stake pockets?

 

I found a tailgate cover/pad that works for me on my 2017 F150 SE. I tired 3 different manufacturers and this one is a keeper mainly because the opening is perfect for the back up camera when you fold up the flap. It's a Dakine pickup pad (large size).

 

I'll post my experiences thus far. Raceface doesn't fit well at all, our tailgate is too wide (I have a 2018). The Yakima one fits pretty well, the opening is plenty big, works for new models with camera up high and old models with camera in the ford emblem.

I also have the Dakine DLX Curve en route to check that one out. So either the Dakine or the Yakima will stay.

 

Race Face on a 2018. Not perfect but decent fit. I can use the backup camera when no bikes.