The Best Locking Tailgate Pad, And How Many Bikes It Can Actually Fit

If you're searching for the best tailgate pad, you've probably already asked one of these questions:

• How many bikes can a tailgate pad hold?

• Will it work with my backup camera?

• What's the difference between a cheap pad and a good one?

We'll answer all of that. But first, here's the one thing most tailgate pad buyers don't think to look for until they've already been burned: locking.

Most pads carry your bikes. The best ones lock them.

How Many Bikes Does a Tailgate Pad Hold?

This depends on the pad size and your truck. Here's how it breaks down with the Cache Basecamp Pad 3.0:

Bike capacity isn't just about how many you can physically cram on. A good pad spaces them correctly so frames aren't grinding against each other on rough roads. The Basecamp 3.0 keeps bikes separated and secured — not just stacked.

But we didn’t just stop here, we’ve been developing accessories to complement and support your bikes for maximum support. Our bike straps have proven to 

What Makes the Basecamp Pad 3.0 the Best Locking Tailgate Pad?

1. It Actually Locks

This is Cache's biggest differentiator. The Basecamp Pad 3.0 is the world's only patented locking, modular tailgate pad system. Built with an integrated steel cable and locking carabiner to secure your bikes when you step away from the truck.

Most tailgate pads don't even attempt this. Stop for food after the ride, run into the trailhead bathroom, or leave the truck while you're hiking out. Your bikes aren't going anywhere.

2. It Fits Modern Trucks

Newer trucks have thicker, curved tailgates that generic "universal" pads don't handle well. The Basecamp 3.0 was specifically designed for modern truck geometry, and third-party reviews have called it out as one of the best-fitting pads for newer trucks with curved tailgates.

3. It Works With Your Backup Camera

One of the most common complaints with tailgate pads is a blocked backup camera. The Basecamp 3.0 solves this with a removable backup camera window. Keep it open when you need visibility, close it when you don't. Your truck's features stay functional and we designed the sizing to be compatible with just about every camera on the market.

4. It Protects Your Gear

The Basecamp 3.0 uses a rugged thermoformed exterior built for sun, mud, rain, and actual trail use. For heavier e-bikes or rougher roads, the optional Skid Plate accessory adds extra cushioning right where bike frames make contact.

Your bikes aren't cheap. Neither is your truck. We care about protecting both.

5. It's More Than a Pad, It's a System

The Basecamp 3.0 features MOLLE-style webbing and a growing accessory ecosystem:

• Skid Plate - extra frame protection for rough roads or e-bikes

• Cargo Net - keep gear organized in the bed

• Jeffrey Cooler - cold drinks at the trailhead, clipped right to the pad

• Taxiway Tote - helmets, snacks, wet clothes, all the chaos of a truck full of people

Most pads are a slab of foam. The Basecamp 3.0 turns your tailgate into a full basecamp setup.

Is a Locking Tailgate Pad Worth It?

If you ever stop anywhere with bikes on your truck, then yes.

A standard pad protects your tailgate while you drive. A locking tailgate pad protects your bikes while you're parked. That's a completely different level of utility, and once you've had it, a non-locking pad feels like a step backward.

Have anymore questions about our pads' features? Reach out to our support email (support@trustcache.com) and we will get you taken care of! 

-The Cache Team