Review: Kuat Huk Tailgate Pad

Oct 9, 2023
by Matt Beer  
Kuat Huk Tailgate Pad

When it comes to transporting mountain bikes the tailgate pad is one of the simplest methods, provided you have a truck. Kuat’s Huk improves that experience by speeding up the installation process and polishing the aesthetics while hosting a flap for backup cameras.

On tap for sizing are five Huk models. The mid-size heights come in 51 and 54” pads that carry five bikes, plus there’s also a stubby 25”-width Huk that holds just two. For full-size truck owners, a 61” width model has a six-bike capacity with two tailgate profile options, straight or curved. The Huk product page includes a fit guide to select the right pad for your vehicle if you're unsure which best suits your whip.

Huk Details

• Bike capacity: 2 or 5 for mid-size trucks, 6 for full-size
• Sizes: 25, 51, 54, 61, 61" curved
• TPU outer/ fleece inside material
• Fold up camera window
• 10 downtube strap loop positions
• Price: $298 USD
kuat.com


The two-bike carrier costs $149 USD, but that price doubles to $298 USD for full tailgate coverage. Each Huk tailgate pad comes with straps to secure the bikes’ downtubes and a three-year warranty.

Kuat Huk Tailgate Pad

INSTALLATION

Installing the Kuat Huk is a breeze thanks to hooked straps that secure to the outside of the tailgate. This method may be more costly to produce but is incredibly sensible - no more fumbling fingers to feed the straps up through the tailgate gap or covering your clothes in mud while holding the tailgate pad in place.

I started with the straps laced near the end of their length on the inside facing buckle, placing the pad on the open tailgate, and lining up the folds.

Next, lifting and closing the tailgate lets gravity do the work, pulling the metal hooks into the gap at the end of the bed. After fishing out the straps and placing the hooks in the eyelets, center the pad and cinch it up.

Kuat Huk Tailgate Pad
The creases and edges of the 54" Huk were likely modeled around a 4th generation Toyota Tacoma because they contour almost perfectly to this tailgate. I haven't tried this on all mid-size pickup trucks, but the Huk could be stretched a few centimeters on either side for this vehicle.

Kuat Huk Tailgate Pad

BIKE RETENTION

The Kuat Huk retains bikes moderately well, but although no shuttle scaring occurred there could be a few improvements. The strap system is fairly basic. On this 54" Huk pad, there are 10 loops to feed the downtube security strap through. Placing the strap through two loops spaces the bikes evenly but shortens the strap length, something to consider for e-bikes or unconventional frame shapes. That means you'll need to offset the strap to one side to make the most of the length, which could clash with the rest of the fleet's spacing.

Kuat Huk Tailgate Pad
Kuat Huk Tailgate Pad

When not in use, it's critical that the straps are closed or they'll go by the wind. No extras are provided. The loops that the straps feed through could also be placed closer to the top edge of the tailgate to maximize the reach, but the plastic buckles never lost tension.

Kuat Huk Tailgate Pad

DURABILITY

One of the primary concerns when using a tailgate pad is potential damage to your truck's paint. The Huk ensures there's no rubbing on the inside of the pad thanks to the soft fleece material. On the outside, there are fewer edges on the Huk which is where tailgate pads typically wear first. The TPU material has stood up to a summer of intense UV rays, showing no signs of wear or holes.

While the foam underneath the inside edge of the tailgate does a decent job at padding the frame, thicker foam would provide extra protection against rough road impacts.

When wrestling camp gear and multiple bikes into the bed, I'd often lower the tailgate, place the bikes on and then close it up. This led to lifting the velcro flap frequently which prematurely wore out the clingy material. I never rolled up the camera cover but that made me question how long the velcro would last in this area if you frequently used this feature.

Kuat Huk Tailgate Pad
Race Face T2 tailgate pad
Lined up against the Race Face T2 tailgate pad, the Kuat Huk offers a sleeker appearance and discrete logo. If you're into colorful styles though, you're stuck with plain black as the only option for the Huk.

COMPARISON

The standout feature of the Kuat Huk is the reverse straps and alloy hooks, making installation significantly faster and cleaner. It does falls slightly short when it comes to downtube strap placement and access compared to the Race Face. The straps can be a bit challenging when multiple bikes are loaded, especially compared to the convenient velcro loops on the Race Face tailgate pad.

At the moment, the $298 USD Huk is three times the price of the Race Face T2 (marked at $99, down from $209). If you set it and forget the tailgate pad for the season, then it's tough to justify the extra cost of the Huk.

Kuat Huk Tailgate Pad
Race Face T2 tailgate pad
The downtube straps of the Race Face T2 Tailgate pad lie closer to the top edge of the truck bed for easier access.

Kuat Huk Tailgate Pad
Race Face T2 tailgate pad
The camera flap folds out of the way more elegantly than the velcro punch-out style of the Race Face T2.



Pros

+ Fast install that doesn’t leave you covered in dirt
+ Snug fit and low profile


Cons

- Downtube straps and placement could use refinement
- Plenty of cheaper options exist with a similar function





Pinkbike's Take
bigquotesThe main takeaway from the Kuat Huk tailgate pad is the simplified installation process with its additional hooks on the outside, however, that does come at a high price. While it has a few minor quirks, the functionality and aesthetics deliver a reliable solution for hauling bikes on your truck.Matt Beer






Author Info:
mattbeer avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2001
360 articles

72 Comments
  • 44 2
 I still contend that an old blanket is actually superior, and not just because it's free. It takes moments to throw over the tailgate, with no straps to fight. When it gets dirty, you just put it through the laundry. No paint scratches ever. If retention is a concern, add a ratchet strap. All truck owners should already have a couple of those. Thanks for coming to my ted talk
  • 10 1
 Moving blankets are plenty durable, and cheap enough that when they do wear out you can replace 60 for the price of one Kuat "blanket". Easy to modify for the tailgate latch access with a boxcutter.

Just spray paint "Kuat" or "DAKINE" across the back with neon colors and you'll fit right in with the diesel dentists.
  • 1 0
 I made my own with some foam, velcro and tarp. Easy.
  • 26 0
 I saw the price first and was kind of excited to see what kind of new and exciting features and upgrades they could put on a tailgate pad.

Spoiler: There were none.

Also "The Kuat Huk retains bikes moderately well". For $300 I want "retains the bike well", and even that isn't worth the price.
  • 14 3
 No Kashima?
  • 5 0
 @KK11: Oh I'm the first idiot that would have dropped $300 for some Kashima on that bad boy.
  • 2 1
 @KK11: I'm also going to assume your username is for Kashima³

...right?
  • 1 0
 @everythingsucks: shhh, you can't hear a dog whistle.
  • 1 0
 @RonSauce: A whistle that only dogs can hear, or the whistle from a dog?
  • 19 3
 Could just buy a van rather than a pick up and have way more convenience to begin with
  • 1 1
 Vans aren't anywhere near as common in north america as they are in the UK. The used car market is all trucks, especially here in Canada
  • 3 0
 Yep, with a van you can keep your bikes more secure as they're out of sight and locked. With bigger vans you can also sleep in them...
  • 3 1
 @MarkF6: because all the vanlifers and wannabe YouTubers bought them up. Oh, and Ford is too cheap to pay import taxes or local labor costs on the transit connect so they are completely removing it from the NA market.
  • 2 0
 Yeah if companies started making proper 4x4 vans. It's mega bucks (in NZ anyway) to buy a reasonable van and build it up to be a decent vehicle off road. Options are very limited.
  • 1 0
 Agreed. I have a truck with a velocirack (which is an awesome rack btw). Got a transit 250 mid roof this year abs haven’t used the truck to haul bikes since. Being able to stop for dinner after a ride and not stress the whole time about bikes getting stolen is great.
  • 13 1
 Why do people keep making tailgate "pads" where the spot where the frame contacts the tailgate isn't particularly padded? When I was looking around a while back, Yakima Gatekeeper was about the only one I found that seemed like it had sufficient cushion in the right spot. That also costs over $100 less than this (and I grabbed a used one earlier this season for under $100 total).

(Also, if you want easy tailgate pad installation/removal, Honda Ridgeline makes it super easy because the tailgate can open vertically and horizontally. Putting any pad on and off takes 5 seconds.)
  • 4 0
 check out Send It's High Roller tailgate pad. It has all the right padding in all the right places. Better price too.
  • 2 0
 Confirming that opening the Ridgeline tailgate sideways and sliding the pad on is a game changer. Yakima pad fits in the in-bed trunk when not in use as well.
  • 7 3
 but you have to tell people you drive a honda ridgeline... thats the worst part!
  • 7 0
 @rzicc: I can’t hear the haters over the sound of my in-bed speaker system.
  • 3 0
 I have both a gatekeeper and a Ridgeline. Best combo for biking I've seen.
  • 2 0
 @rzicc: Nah that's the BEST part. Because then they go "Oh, he's got a truck, but not a giant truck that's trying to compensate for something else."
  • 1 1
 @charliewentoutside: its not a truck. its an SUV with a bed. Very differnet. Problem is My F250 gets close to the MPG that the Ridgline does, AND it can actually do work. And yes, I acutally use it for doing what its made for, not just cause I can. Sorry, driven the Ridgline, not impressed at all.
  • 2 0
 @rzicc: cool? I don't care.
  • 8 0
 Disappointed in Kuat here. Huge amount of material and they didn’t find one thing on this pad to put Kashima on?! Could have charged $600
  • 6 0
 Kuat Huk Tailgate Pad — the mountain bike product that sounds like a different kind of adult recreation accessory.
  • 3 0
 I have the RaceFace T2 and the nice feature with that one is your rear view camera is always visible once you set your desired spacing. On the Kuat you have to keep it rolled up. I feel I would end up cutting that whole piece off personally.
  • 2 0
 Yakima’s pad lets you tuck the flap up and under, to similar effect. Agree that rolling it up on top like Kuat decided to do is a terrible idea.
  • 3 1
 This method of hauling bikes is simple but from my few experiences, it takes a toll on frame n fork. Also a lot of tailgates are very wide with sharper corners than gates of old. This causes way more stress on the downtube, regardless of the little padding in the crease of the pad where the DT rest on the tailgate. The mud and dirt on a Fork after a muddy ride will work like sandpaper on the forks paint and in some cases even the stanchions. Then theres the other bikes that shift around during off rode driving when the driver gets a little loose and rowdy;(But it looks cool and expresses You're a DH shredder...HAHA.)
Lots of padding and a bike separator pad that can be thrown over each bike like a horse saddle for added protection, would be a good accessory especially if you should wanna pack up the bed tight for a weekend camping.
  • 3 0
 Princess Auto has them on clearance for $32 CAD right now. They are about Tacoma sized but also works perfect with my Ram with Ramboxes.
  • 1 0
 Is there an extra layer on the back off them straps stitched to the main fabric ?
to help prevent stitch pull through.
I woulda gone for 2" nylon web strap in places, beefed up the stitching pattern, metal tension buckles,
obviously that dont compromise the bike or risk damage,
and some thin dense padding ( neoprene ) on the frame contact, maybe some edge binding for good measure.
Large loop velcro panels on the outside flat area for the likes of stick on temp pouchs, reflective
glow panels, badges, logos etc

How these things are made and materials used is just as important as function.
  • 1 0
 Placing large swaths of Velcro on items stored outdoors is not a recipe for success.
  • 2 0
 Having never used, or known someone who's used, a tailgate pad, I have a question:

Don't tailgate pads cause damage to your bike? They really look like they would cause damage.
  • 1 0
 There’s a piece of nylon touching your downtube. That’s it. Bike doesn’t shift around like you’d think it would.
  • 2 0
 Yup, of course they do if you have any kind of grit on the bike. My Norco actually came with an extra rubber piece that goes under the downtube to try to help with this. (had to google to figure out what it was since I don't have a truck)
  • 2 1
 Just put some Mastic tape to the downtube
  • 1 0
 Umm. It's not the pad, it's being on the tailgate. If the bike is reasonably cleanish in the contact area, it's better for the truck and the bike to have some padding, but a pad generally isn't going to make either worse than just slapping a bike on the gate raw.
  • 1 0
 "because they contour almost perfectly to this tailgate"

You have a loose definition of "almost perfectly": there is a huge gap underneath in that pic, and the top pad is easily 25-35% larger than the top of the gate. If that's considered a contoured fit, I'd hate to see a loose fit.
  • 1 0
 They put quick release buckles to hold the pad itself to the truck, but to secure the bikes (a much more frequent action) you have reach over and in and thread a strap through a buckle? And then the strap might not even fit some modern bikes and have to get moved and rethreaded yet again? And it has to be rethreaded when empty or the straps will disappear in the wind?

So dumb.
  • 1 0
 "simple, provide you have a truck"

And 1-up style double-wheel-holders are just as simple, provided you have a rack. Probably simpler: no straps, no camera rolls or tucks, no need to clean off any dirt at the frame contact points (there aren't any); just set the bike on, squeeze the arms snug, go.
  • 1 0
 Um, a old fatigue mat that the cubicle surfers run is perfect. Free, the big ones always getting new. Fold it in half in the sun . Perfect tailgate pad with plenty of cushion for the pushing! Can send photos
  • 1 0
 Send pics
  • 5 1
 walmart has a hypertough tailgate pad for $50. save your money folks.
  • 2 1
 If people haven't heard of Latchit Rack..they should check it out. A little bit more money does away with all the downsides of the tailgate pad and reclaims your bedspace. I heart mine!
  • 1 0
 That system truly is a beauty! I may pull the trigger...
  • 1 0
 I have the Fox tailgate pad which is the same as Race Face. Total garbage. Rubs through the pad where the fame contacts the pad. I have to use a moving blanket or a towel under the frame. Junk.
  • 4 2
 Do people actually still buy Kuat stuff? God damn hipster brand with great marketing that some actually fall for when they make inferior products
  • 1 0
 Is it me or is the padding looking lacking? I have a Yakima gatekeeper and after 5 years the velcro doesn't close anymore but I still use it because of how good the padding is. I can't imagine getting a different model.
  • 1 1
 It's Nice. I have a old Fox tailgate pad. Just plane & simple. No extras. Works great, and is still holding up after 5 season. Also fits my 91 Toyota.
  • 1 0
 I believe "scarring" is the word you were looking for. Although I guess your bike could be scared of a shuttle ride.
  • 2 0
 Maybe built around a 3rd gen? 4th gen prices aren't even out yet.
  • 1 0
 Cariboo Brewing tailgate pad is around $100 bucks. That works out to around $75 USD.
  • 2 0
 delete
  • 1 1
 This is junk for $300. $150 for the EVOC tailgate pad which is far superior. Kuat is trash these days
  • 2 2
 Fox is literally giving these away. $300 for a tail gate pad from a brand with less recognition is hilarious.
  • 1 0
 What a joke. This thing should be revolutionary for $300.
  • 1 0
 What will they think of next?!?
  • 1 0
 I'd much rather read a review about that EXT equipped Giga.
  • 2 2
 That won't work on a curved trailgate, like a RAM. Those straps suck.
  • 1 0
 Huk that
  • 2 4
 CORRECTION:

Bike capacity: 2 or 5 for normal-size trucks, 6 for ridiculously big, gas-guzzling over-size trucks
  • 3 0
 My full size GMC gets far better gas mileage than a Tacoma. 25-27 on the highway. My prior Tundra and Tacoma weren't even close. I love Toyotas, but their mpg is the worst in the industry.
  • 2 1
 @motosantiago: Hate to bring this to you but that is terrible mileage, whether other vehicles are worse than that or not.
  • 1 0
 @mi-bike: for as heavy as a light duty pickup/full-size truck is, the Duramax GM/Chevy and Ecodiesel (R.I.P) Ram options have very, very good gas mileage. No other vehicle can tow 7000-10000 lbs, or carry 1400+ lbs in the bed and get 12-18mpg while doing said tasks, and get 27mpg highway when unloaded.

Obviously smaller, lighter vehicles are more fuel efficient, but as the poster above said these beat out all trucks smaller than them other than the Maverick and that’s tiny. Nothing wrong with small trucks, but some of us have travel trailers to tow or UTVs, up steep inclines.
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.039147
Mobile Version of Website