Quick Answer
Install a tailgate surf pad by draping it over your lowered tailgate, centering it, and cinching the cam straps snugly to secure surfboards, SUPs, or windsurf boards without scratching your truck.
Why a Tailgate Surf Pad Works Better Than a Blanket
A simple moving blanket can slide off or bunch up, leaving your tailgate exposed. A dedicated tailgate surf pad like the Dakine Tailgate Surf Pad includes a soft fleece backing that grips your truck's paint and a padded surface that cushions boards from hard impacts. The wide design also accommodates multiple smaller boards or one wide SUP, which a blanket cannot do reliably.
What to Check Before You Start
Measure your tailgate width and height to ensure the pad covers the full surface. Most pads, including the Dakine model, fit a wide variety of tailgates, but checking dimensions avoids loose overhang. Also inspect the cam straps for wear—frayed straps can snap under load and let boards shift during transit.
Step-by-Step Installation
- Lower and Clean the Tailgate: Lower your truck's tailgate completely and wipe away any dirt, sand, or moisture. Debris trapped under the pad can scratch the paint.
- Center the Pad Over the Tailgate: Drape the tailgate surf pad so the padded side faces up and the fleece backing contacts the tailgate. Adjust left and right until the pad is evenly centered. A common mistake is leaving one side overhanging, which lets boards slide off that edge. Check that the pad covers the entire width of the tailgate without sagging over the sides.
- Thread and Tighten the Cam Straps: Feed each cam strap under the tailgate, up through the pad's webbing loops, and back into the cam buckle. Pull the strap until it is taut but not so tight that it compresses the pad's foam. Over-tightening can distort the pad and reduce cushioning. Give each strap a final tug after driving a few miles—vibration can loosen the initial cinch.
- Secure Boards on Top: Lay your surfboard, SUP, or windsurf board on the pad with the fins facing up or down as you prefer. Use the long cam straps to cross over the board(s) and buckle them down. A common mistake is strapping only the middle of a long board, leaving the nose or tail to bounce. Place one strap near the board's midpoint and a second strap closer to the tail for balanced hold.
- Verify Stability Before Driving: Give each board a firm push from the side. If it shifts more than an inch, re-tighten the straps. Also check that the pad itself has not crept sideways. If it has, loosen the cam straps, re-center, and re-tighten. Do a quick re-check at your first stop—straps can settle and loosen as the pad conforms to the tailgate.
Product Used in This Guide
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Tailgate Surf Pad - Sub Topo: The Dakine Tailgate Surf Pad features a soft fleece backing to protect your truck and long cam straps to cinch boards in place. The fleece backing prevents scratches on your tailgate paint, and the long cam straps let you secure multiple boards of different thicknesses without needing extra tie-downs.
Tailgate Surf Pad - Sub Topo