Will Mounting Straps on Softride Tailgate Bike Carrier, Part # SR26457, Wear Paint Off Tailgate?  

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Expert Reply:

In actual use the Softride Shuttle Pad Tailgate Bike Carrier, part # SR26457, will be held in place both by the four supplied nylon straps and also the weight of the loaded bikes. It is not necessary to make the straps excessively tight to the point that they will wear the paint on the bottom edge of the tailgate. They just need to be snugged down with moderate tension to hold the pad in place. I have included a video for this item showing how it installs on a tailgate. A nice feature of this product is the tailgate-access flap that lets you open the tailgate without having to remove the pad.

However, there is a simple inexpensive product available that can be used to help protect the paint on the tailgate when this is a concern.

The Erickson Chrome-Protector Sleeve for Tie-Down Straps, part # EM06305, is a 12 inch long soft sheepskin-like polyester sleeve that fits over tie-down straps. It is also available in a 2-pack as part # EM06305-2. These sleeves can be cut to size if desired. They slip right over the ends of the tie-down straps and protect both the vehicle paint and the straps themselves from damage due to friction. They can be removed and re-used for other cargo-related purposes if desired. I have included links to these products.

expert reply by: Adam R

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