Yakima Gatekeeper Tailgate Pad Review

Yakima’s Gatekeeper is another offering that takes a different approach when it comes to tailgate pads. The most unique aspect of the Gatekeeper is the SitTight Cradle system. The SitTight Cradle system uses a raised pad for downtube protection and uses a G-hook strap for bike retention. The G-hook strap Yakima uses is just long enough to work with a wide array of bicycles, inlcuding ebikes that have a similar downtube profile as the Specialized Levo. In addition to the SitTight Cradle, the Gatekeeper is the only pad that uses a vinyl-coated nylon exterior shell and uses a felt inner shell for paint protection. The Gatekeeper stays tight on the tailgate using three adjustable straps while also using the width of the pad to prevent any unwanted side-to-side movement. There are two size options available for the Gatekeeper, the 62-inch wide large option and the 53-inch wide medium option. The large pad will carry six bikes while the medium pad is designed for five bikes. The Hindsight flap can be tucked away to use your trucks rear view camera and provide easy access to the tailgate handle.
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[@martyponsart6974]

The flap is supposed to be folded inside the pad when you install the pad so the camera is always exposed.

[@turningoveranewleaflawncar952]

I looked at the Yakima Gatekeeper at my local dealer, and they even let me try it out on my Tacoma truck. It was listed at $199, but they had it on sale for around $160. Amazon had the exact one for just over $100. I was going to buy one, but I'm happy with my $5 furniture blanket from Harbor Freight to protect my tailgate and a simple bungee cord to hold the down tube to my floor bed hooks. It's simple and economical to haul my bike from home to trail and back again.

[@skinnybricks]

I've been eyeing this one. Thanks for the great review. My current Dakine one likes to destroy downtubes so you need extra protection from it. I'm more interested in having an easy way to safely and quickly secure a bike, not to protect my tailgate. These guys finally figured out the edge of the tailgate the downtube rests on is a square edge, so they made that padded. Unlike literally everyone else. lmao

[@TheLoamWolf]

The Sensus pad also has a ton of downtube protection but lacks any sort of retention. But yeah, this Yakima pad is definitely the best one that offers downtube protection and retention, made it easy to rank it number 1.

[@mtbrider8286]

Love the tailgate reviews! Can't wait to see what's next. Keep up the great content.

[@wichovr6]

Good review. Just ordered a large for my GMC 3500

[@TheLoamWolf]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@downtoridemtb]

All you gotta do is tuck the flap into the top of the tailgate and it stays just fine. Mine is that way all the time.

[@TheLoamWolf]

I realized that after we filmed the review. Sure it works, but not ideal by any means. -Sean

[@garradmiller5025]

Just bought the Yakima, they’re actually on sale a few places. Nice review!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Excellent choice! Some places have 2 different versions. The $199 (retail) one has the G-Hook downtube straps and the other uses velcro straps.

[@garradmiller5025]

@@TheLoamWolf thanks for saying that I though I was getting g hooks, went and looked and got Velcro.

[@skinnybricks]

@@garradmiller5025 Those velcro straps fail, check out the reviews. Just FYI. That's why it's on sale.

[@craigslocum9172]

If they offer a midsize this would be my pick

[@TheLoamWolf]

You're in luck, Yakima does have one for you midsize folks. We wish we were able to secure each pad in both sizes so we could try to stoke out everyone.

[@ChenzosWorld]

😂😂😂… come on guys. The flap goes underneath the pad. You flip it up inside the tailgate, then install the pad for continued use of the backup cam… as a long term owner of this pad, I can say it’s not a good purchase. The Velcro wears out after a few months.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thats the last thing we want to do. But we realized we could do a 50/50 fold after we filmed the video and it worked out well. Our pad was the newer version and didn't come with any velcro straps.

[@ChenzosWorld]

@@TheLoamWolf oh I didn’t even notice that. Thanks for the info. I think Yakima is going to warranty mine

[@oregonphototrekker8894]

The metal G hooks make me a bit nervous when it comes to scratching the down tube. Any issues with that?

[@TheLoamWolf]

None so far, there could be an issue if you have a downtube that is extremely wide. but most (if not all) bikes stay squished into the padded slot on the pad with little to no side to side movement. No need to worry about the g-hook contacting the frame.

[@oregonphototrekker8894]

@@TheLoamWolf thanks a lot! I’ll pick one up.

[@SILLYHLLBLLY]

Do you think this would work well for someone who travels frequently 1000+ miles every 3 months? I have 3 aventon adventures.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Do you have an idea how much they weigh? I'd maybe look at one that offers a little more padding where the stanchions land on the tailgate. I say that as I just got a fat dent on the lip of my tailgate from one of our 58 pound ebikes driving home 200 miles from our shootout. First time it's ever happened. But if you are set on this pad, maybe putting a pool noodle around one of the stanchion will alleviate any denting concerns.

[@NoBrakes23]

The "murdah'd-out-brah" "allblackeverything" color prevalence was played out in the mtb industry a decade ago. Some of us definitely welcome this blue color.

[@jacobrivera7224]

Never trust a Chevy 😅 Great video