Looking to get an over the tailgate bike mount/pad/rack. Recommendations??

[brog]

Trying to find the best option for transporting 2, sometimes 3, bikes in the back of Gladiator bed. I don't have any existing bed racks or anything and I want to keep it like that for now. It'll be for occasional, but semi-regular use as well as when we travel for light trails and just to ride wherever we are. They're good bikes, to us, but not crazy expensive high-end bikes. I've been looking at tailgate pads like the Yakima Gatekeeper, Thule Gatemate and the Cache Basecamp. My main concerns are having a sturdy mounting point without much movement, protection for the bikes and the bed/tailgate, easy on/off for both the bikes and the pad. I kind of like the idea of these being more of a system that can connect other pieces to like cargo bags, coolers, cargo netting, etc. They all have the cutout to access the tailgate handle, but I need to make sure the rear view cam has unobstructed view.
With all that said, has anybody had experience with using any/all of these, or maybe a different option that I haven't seen yet? For what they are, they're fairly pricey and I don't want to go over or much over that $300 range. The Cache Basecamp is more expensive than the other two, but it looks like there is a lot more that it can be used for and expandable and they claim lockable which would be a plus if true. Let me know your thoughts, good and bad, and any other information that you don't mind sharing. As always, I appreciate everyone's feedback and help. Thanks all. -Brian
Cache Basecamp
Thule GateMate Pro
Yakima GateKeeper

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[id0c]

Just returned the Thule Gatemate Pro (compact) it was too wide for the tailgate. Still looking for an alternative myself.

 

[Freems]

This may freak you out a bit but here goes. Been a mountain bike guy for years, the thing I use to hold down my bikes in the bed is one moving blanket and NRS rafting straps. Fold the blanket to fit across the tailgate for how many your going to carry, front tire(s) over tailgate and strap down the bikes to the bed mounts. When four of us ride, the trail rail system in the beds helps with additional movable tie downs. The NRS straps are unbelievably strong…never had a bike fly out or must less move. Never had one of the straps fail, even over washboard roads at unreasonable speed. Need the rearview camera…I just took my pocket knife out and cut a hole in the blanket.

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