GateKeeper (2018-2021)

Like many reviewers, I loved this pad but my velcro straps failed in just a couple months. I loved the design of this pad and all the features it included but it wouldn't hold 6 bikes securely without the straps. Sewing new velcro onto the straps didn't seem reasonable. I found some 1" aluminum G-hooks online which work even better than the original straps. I cut the velcro off of the straps which was surprisingly easy and just replaced it with these metal hooks. It took about 3 minutes per strap and only cost me a few dollars. It works so well it doesn't even feel like a hack.

Love this tailgate pad! It is now the golden standard for our crew for shuttle runs. One friend got one, we all shredded it, now we've all got it. No idea what people are talking about with their pad failing in six months. We shuttle often and generally do multiple laps. Ours are all holding up and going on over a year now for most of us. Only bummer is we all started getting ebikes and they don't really fit in the tailgate pad very securely! If Yakima could make some tailgate pad extensions that would really help us all out!

Great looking truck pad, fits great and easy install on 2017 Tacoma. Bikes load well and it has plenty of padding. However after 5 months the velcro on the straps has deteriorated to the point that it doesn't stay attached anymore. Was hoping to have this truck pad for years to come, unfortunate that it no longer holds the bikes. Would be 5/5 if not for this

If you own a Honda Ridgeline it’s a fantastic buy. Open the tailgate like a door and slip the thing on. Super easy to install. I drive about 45mins to the trail head at 75mph no wiggle no movement. Best value for being able to hull 5 bikes can’t beat it. Will have to see how well the Velcro holds up over the years. Oh for you Honda Ridgeline owners buy a medium I think Yakima website set me up on a large but the length I think would be too long, medium fits great.

When I bought this pad the velcro issue had not been reported yet. My story is the same as all the others. Great pad but securing straps WILL FAIL. As the grip of the fake velcro fails I would use a different strap. After the second strap failed (won't stick) I decided to move on to a different brand. I communicated back and forth with Yakima about a possible design change on their updated product. No luck, no change in the straps. It seems that Yakima doesn't want to pay the royalty cost for real velcro. Not sure why anyone would give this pad 5 stars. securing straps are the most import part. Yakima, read the reviews and fix this problem.

When I bought this pad the velcro issue had not been reported yet. My story is the same as all the others. Great pad but bike securing straps WILL FAIL. As the grip of the fake velcro fails I would use a different strap. After the second strap failed (won't stick) I decided to move on to a different brand. I communicated back and forth with Yakima about a possible design change on their updated product. No luck, no change in the straps. It seems that Yakima doesn't want to pay the royalty cost for real velcro. Yakima, read the reviews. The strap issue IS a big deal. It's the weak link.

I love this idea for pickup truck. The only problem I have with the Gatekeeper is the Velcro is very weak. I would definitely would like better to secure my bikes.

I purchased this as a lower cost option to transport several bikes in my truck. The issue I ran into was that I have a 2015 Ram 1500 and the top of the tailgate has a lip that is also curved. These covers would work best on a flat tailgate. The lip and curve of the tailgate would not allow the Gatekeeper to fit flat at all. Due to this I am returning this item to purchase a hitch style bike rack. Other than that, the Gatekeeper seemed well built and would do a good job at carrying bikes.

I like the idea of being able to throw the bikes over the tailgate, strap them down, and go, however, there are no instructions that come with the Gatekeeper. It's a lot of trial and error to determine if you have the bike pads in the correct spot for best support. Even then, I'm finding that the bikes will flop over towards the inside of the bed. I'm having to use bungie cords to pull the bikes to the outside. Not the best option with carbon fiber road bikes. Initial install was also some trial and error. It's not the easiest thing to feed the straps up through the bottom of an open tailgate. I'm still not sure if I have the pad fully secured. It would be great if there were an easy way to run a lock and chain through the pad and bikes too.