[JHW]

While waiting for the delivery of the roof rack, a simple moving pad did just great. I also put a piece of water pipe insulation on the bike's down tube for extra comfort.

 

[DTown3011]

Wouldn't a standard tailgate pad work just as good? I understand why the roof rack would be important if you want to maintain cargo/hauling capabilities, but the tailgate pad is so easy if you don't need the bed for anything else. Tailgate Pad | Overland | FOX – The FOX Shop (ridefox.com)

 

[R99]

Wouldn't a standard tailgate pad work just as good? I understand why the roof rack would be important if you want to maintain cargo/hauling capabilities, but the tailgate pad is so easy if you don't need the bed for anything else. Tailgate Pad | Overland | FOX – The FOX Shop (ridefox.com)

Welcome @DTown3011! Is that the kind of pad that you use on your trucks?

 

[RITVT]

Yes, pad over tailgate like, Cache, FOX, Dakine (or even a moving pad) all work if you don't mind giving up the bed storage. One word of caution with a moving pad is that the bikes can slide, so you might get inadvertent rubbing. I did this on local drives using my old beater pick-up and there was a little rubbing since the bikes aren't strapped like they are on a real tailgate pad, and the pad itself isn't affixed.

Even with the tailgate pad, I would be careful of the paint at the top of the tailgate. There isn't much protection for that strip of paint and I could see it starting to take some abuse. I have a strip of PPF to cover that paint right between the light bar and the tailgate as I type (as well as the front end, lights and hood).

 

[DTown3011]

Welcome @DTown3011! Is that the kind of pad that you use on your trucks?

Yes. The problem with a moving blanket is there is no way to strap the bikes in. A dedicated MTB tailgate pad will have a velcro strap or similar closure with some padding for your bike that keeps the bikes fixed in place. Highly recommended.

 

[Nexus]

Yes. The problem with a moving blanket is there is no way to strap the bikes in. A dedicated MTB tailgate pad will have a velcro strap or similar closure with some padding for your bike that keeps the bikes fixed in place. Highly recommended.

How about a PVC pipe between the top tubes and a ratchet strap to the cargo hooks? Just thinkin'.

 

[JHW]

Wouldn't a standard tailgate pad work just as good? I understand why the roof rack would be important if you want to maintain cargo/hauling capabilities, but the tailgate pad is so easy if you don't need the bed for anything else. Tailgate Pad | Overland | FOX – The FOX Shop (ridefox.com)

Once our roof racks arrived, we went with the Yakima High Speed fork mounts (see picture). If you go for a "traditional" tail gate pad (which is what we had for years on our old truck), one note of caution. The Rivian tailgate/bed has a roller assembly so that with the tailgate down you get a complete elongated bed. Fitting the straps through this assembly might be a bit problematic: workable, but problematic. Thus the moving pad. And perhaps because of the thickness of the tailgate, the bikes were very stable.

 

[RobRivian]

I am going to give this a try. The easy on/off is cool. TreeFrog Pro 2 Roof Mount Road & Mountain Bike Double Rack

 

[RobRivian]

Once our roof racks arrived, we went with the Yakima High Speed fork mounts (see picture). If you go for a "traditional" tail gate pad (which is what we had for years on our old truck), one note of caution. The Rivian tailgate/bed has a roller assembly so that with the tailgate down you get a complete elongated bed. Fitting the straps through this assembly might be a bit problematic: workable, but problematic. Thus the moving pad. And perhaps because of the thickness of the tailgate, the bikes were very stable.
View attachment 6122

That looks nice

 

[Sac602]

That looks nice

Anyone know if 1up Rakattach fits on a Rivian? Seems close to lowered tailgate. I did see someone got a Kuat Backswing to fit.