The best tailgate rack for most paddle boards is the Vamo truck tailgate pad in its 30-inch width: it’s wide enough for a standard SUP and has long cam straps for up to three boards. If you also haul bikes, the 61-inch Softride Shuttle Pad covers the whole tailgate.
A tailgate pad is a padded sleeve that drapes over your truck’s tailgate. The board rests on it with the nose in the bed, and straps hold it in place. We haven’t tested these pads hands-on. We picked them from manufacturer specs, owner reviews, and whether they’re in stock now. Two of the seven pads from our 2021 list are no longer available on Amazon, and one had too little information to recommend, so we replaced them.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: Vamo SUP Truck Tailgate Pad, 30 in wide with straps for up to three boards.
- Best full-width pad: Softride Shuttle Pad, 61 in wide and doubles as a bike pad.
- Best for quick trips: Ho Stevie! Surfboard Truck Rack, quick straps and scratch-proof buckles.
- Best budget pad: Onefeng Sports Tailgate Surf Pad, a small pad for about $25.
- Best simple pad with lifetime warranty: Dorsal Truck Tailgate Surf Pad, 28 in wide.
Inflatable boards don’t really need a tailgate pad. Roll them up, or lay the inflated board in the bed and strap it down.
Wide, tough and made for paddle boards
Vamo SUP Truck Tailgate Pad
Vamo makes its tailgate pad in two widths: 18 inches for a kayak, canoe or single narrow board, and 30 inches for SUPs. The 30-inch version suits most stand up boards, which usually measure 30 to 34 inches wide.
The cover is a PVC material Vamo calls DuraSkin, designed to stand up to sun and weather. It comes with 96 inches of straps and silicone-covered cam buckles, which Vamo says is enough to hold up to three paddle boards or five surfboards.
Who it suits: truck owners who carry one to three hard SUPs, especially on longer drives.
| Spec | Vamo Tailgate Pad |
|---|---|
| Widths | 18 in or 30 in (choose 30 in for most SUPs) |
| Cover | PVC (DuraSkin) over foam |
| Straps | 96 in, silicone-wrapped cam buckles |
| Capacity (claimed) | Up to 3 SUPs or 5 surfboards |
| Warranty | Lifetime, for manufacturer defects |
| Price | Around $55 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Made with paddle boards in mind
- Weather-resistant cover
- Buckles are covered so they won’t scratch paint
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Make sure you choose the 30 in width for a SUP
- Narrower than full-width pads, so less room for bikes
Verdict
The best all-round tailgate pad for paddle boards.
A full-width pad for boards, bikes and more
Softride Shuttle Pad
The Softride Shuttle Pad is a 61-inch tailgate pad originally made for carrying up to six mountain bikes. That width also makes it useful for two or three paddle boards side by side, or a board plus bikes.
It has heavy-duty foam padding, nylon straps, and a Velcro flap so you can reach the tailgate handle with the pad fitted. It comes with four Softwraps for securing bikes to a daisy chain. For boards, use your own cam straps.
Who it suits: truck owners who carry bikes as well as boards, or who want a pad that covers the whole tailgate.
| Spec | Softride Shuttle Pad |
|---|---|
| Width | 61 in |
| Build | Heavy-duty foam, nylon straps |
| Extras | Tailgate handle access flap, 4 bike Softwraps |
| Claimed capacity | Up to 6 bikes |
| Price | Around $100 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Covers the full tailgate
- Works for bikes, boards, ladders and tools
- You can open the tailgate without removing it
Cons
- Pricier than SUP-specific pads
- Bike straps don’t hold boards; you need separate cam straps
- Bulky to store when it’s off the truck
Verdict
The pick if you want one pad for boards, bikes and everything else.
Quick on, quick off
Ho Stevie! Surfboard Truck Rack
Ho Stevie!‘s pad drapes over the tailgate and holds boards in place with strong straps and buckles. The buckles have silicone covers so they don’t scratch your truck or board. Ho Stevie! says the quick strap system takes about two minutes to fit.
It’s sold as a surfboard rack and rated for up to two surfboards, so expect to fit one SUP, or two narrower boards.
Who it suits: paddlers with one hard board who want something quick to fit for short drives to the beach.
| Spec | Ho Stevie! Truck Rack |
|---|---|
| Material | Waterproof polyester over padding |
| Straps | Quick strap system, silicone buckle covers |
| Claimed capacity | Up to 2 surfboards |
| Guarantee | 30-day return for any reason |
| Price | Around $50 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Fast to fit
- Buckle covers protect paint
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Designed for surfboards, so less room for multiple SUPs
- Shorter guarantee than Vamo or Dorsal
Verdict
A simple, well-reviewed pad for one board and short trips.
A small, cheap pad
Onefeng Sports Tailgate Surf Pad
The Onefeng pad is a compact 19.6-inch pad, 0.8 inches thick, in waterproof polyester with a soft lining to protect your paint. It has three adjustable straps, each about 6.6 feet long, with rubber covers around the cam locks.
At under 20 inches it’s narrower than a typical SUP, so the board’s rails will hang over the edges. That’s fine for one board on short drives, less so for long highway trips.
Who it suits: paddlers on a budget with a single board, or anyone who wants a spare pad that stows behind the seat.
| Spec | Onefeng Pad |
|---|---|
| Pad length | 19.6 in |
| Thickness | 0.8 in |
| Material | Waterproof polyester, soft lining |
| Straps | 3 x 6.6 ft, rubber-covered cam locks |
| Price | Around $25 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Cheapest pick here
- Small to store
- Three straps included
Cons
- Narrower than most paddle boards
- Not the pad for multiple boards
Verdict
A budget pad for one board and short drives.
A plain pad with a lifetime warranty
Dorsal Truck Tailgate Surf Pad
Dorsal’s surf pad is 28 inches wide, with foam padding and a fleece backing to protect the tailgate. It comes with one 5’8” tie-down strap and a lifetime warranty.
Owner ratings are lower than the others here, and one strap is not much for a SUP, so plan to add a cam strap of your own. Dorsal’s older full-size pad from our 2021 list is no longer available.
Who it suits: paddlers who want a basic pad from a surf brand that backs it for life.
| Spec | Dorsal Surf Pad |
|---|---|
| Width | 28 in |
| Build | Foam padding, fleece backing |
| Straps | 1 x 5 ft 8 in |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
| Price | Around $44 at the time of writing |
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Fleece backing is kind to paint
- Wide enough for most single boards
Cons
- Only one strap included
- Lower owner ratings than our other picks (about 3.6 out of 5 on Amazon)
Verdict
A fallback if the Vamo is out of stock. Budget for an extra strap.
