ABOUT THE CACHE BASECAMP PAD 3.0
The Basecamp Pad 3.0 is the latest iteration of the tailgate pad from Cache. It is offered in a full-size (6 bikes) and mid-size (5 bikes) option, ditching the one-size-fits-most approach found on the 1.0 and 2.0 pads. The Basecamp 3.0 continues to use a sectioned thermoformed exterior, though this version has a much more rugged appearance than the previous offerings. For those who do not know, thermoform refers to the manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated until it becomes pliable, then shaped over a mold and cooled into a rigid form. This process allows for a more durable and more weather resistant tailgate pad, among other advantages.
FEATURES | The Cache Basecamp 3.0 Tailgate Pad is currently the only pad on the market to have a built-in lock. Utilizing a locking carabiner and thick nylon strap hiding a 5mm steel cable, Cache aims to deter pad theft. The locking carabiner can also be used with most cable locks for added security.
Some other familiar features are the removable Backup Camera Window, which can be removed entirely or just folded over in the bed so that it doesn’t get lost if completely removed. Cache kept the reverse fed straps, making for easy installation and removal.
ACCESSORIES | Since Cache developed the Basecamp tailgate pads with modularity in mind, they have a handful of accessories available to fit your needs. Every tailgate pad comes with two bike straps and an Elastic Utility Strap. Carryover accessories include the Jeffrey Cooler and the Lounger Chairs which were included in our first review.
New accessories for the Cache Basecamp 3.0 are:
- The Skid Plate: This adds an extra layer of cushioning and protection between the tailgate and your bikes downtube. It also predetermines the placement for all your bikes and bike straps, which are perfectly spread apart for the 5 or 6 bike capacities of the pads.
- The Cargo Net: This net is great for holding helmets, shoes, dirty gear and anything else you could think of. The net slides into the patented molle panels for easy install and removal.
- The Tote Bag: 35L of carrying capacity and just as modular as the Basecamp pad itself. It can clip onto the pad for storage and easily removed to be used on the go.
THE DIRT
As with previous tailgate pad tests, the vehicle used for the review is my 2015 GMC 2500HD. It has a standard sized, fairly flat tailgate. This is different compared to current generation vehicles, which tend to have overly thick, curved tailgates.
INSTALL & FIT | The Basecamp family of tailgate pads have always been one of the quickest and easiest to install. With the tailgate in the upright position, I draped the pad into place, centering it with the tailgate handle and back up camera. There are no adjustment straps on the top of the pad, offering a clean look and easier installation compared to others on the market.
Cache uses reverse fed straps, so there are no pinched fingers trying to feed straps up through the gap between the bed and tailgate. Instead, with the tailgate cracked, the straps are fed down from the inside and then pulled outward and hooked onto the g-hooks on the face of the Basecamp Pad 3.0. Once the straps are on the G-hooks, they can be cinched down.
This was where I ran into my first hiccup. With the Basecamp Pad 3.0 being developed for the current generation of thicker tailgates, there was a little too much height for the tailgate on my GMC. The bottom of the pad ran below the bottom lip of my tailgate, so when the straps were tightened, they pushed the exterior panels of the pad upward. This caused the pad to push outward from the tailgate. Though aesthetically nothing looked wrong, this allowed for more dust and dirt to get between the pad and tailgate than some competitors with a flusher fit. I have a modification that I plan on making to the pad to correct the fit, but I wanted to wrap up the review before I start cutting up an otherwise perfectly good tailgate pad.
I did, however, also test fit the pad to our neighbors newer Ford F-150 and the fit was much better. The straps holding the pad to the tailgate were able to be cinched down much tighter, forming a snugger fit. This fits in line with my hypothesis that my critiques down below have more to do with the vehicle used, versus the pad itself.
With the Basecamp Pad 3.0 successfully installed, it was time to add the accessories. Cache sent their Skid Plate, Cargo Net and extra bike straps. The Skid Plate installed simply by placing it on the inner edge of the tailgate pad, and the g-hooks slid into the Molle webbing on the pad. The g-hooks were snugged down, and the bike straps were mounted to the Skid Plate, ready for transport. The Cargo Net also slid into more of the Molle webbing on the inner panel of the tailgate pad.
IN USE | I’ve put a couple hundred bike hauling miles in with the pad now over a few months. As a tailgate pad, the Basecamp 3.0 Pad transported my bikes to the trail safely and securely. From analog bikes to the thickest of downtubed eMTBs, the bike straps did a great job of holding the precious cargo. Even without the straps, bikes stayed in place very well when used with the Skid Plate attachment. The added padding cradled the bikes just enough to prevent them moving or sliding side to side. The raised pads on the outside facing panels offered plenty of cushion where the fork stanchions landed as well.
The Cargo Net was a nice little addition, but one that I thought I would never use. However, it has been holding a pair of shoes and DH knee pads for weeks now. I have a Soft Topper installed on my truck, so the cargo net allows me to store some of those essentials, so I don’t have to climb into the bed to grab things if they slide around. The Cargo Net is also a great place to store the back-up camera flap as well when it’s not in use.
FINISH & VALUE | There is no getting around the price, the Basecamp 3.0 is an expensive tailgate pad, especially once you add some of the much-desired accessories. In price, its nearest competitor is the Dakine Universal pickup pad which Drew tested previously. I would argue that the Cache is a much better tailgate pad in performance and looks. The real question is, is it $100 – $200 better than some of the other competitors? I think that is entirely a personal choice and preference, which will depend on your needs.
Durability and finish wise, the Basecamp Pad 3.0 held up extremely well. From sunshine and overly hot days to rainy, mud encrusted downtubes, the tailgate pad still looks as new as the day it was unboxed. Clearly Cache has designed this pad to survive the long haul.
CRITIQUES | As the story goes with universal products, fit is again the main critique. With that said, I would say most of my concerns are all by products of how the pad fits with my specific vehicle.
Now the Basecamp 3.0 is night and day better than its predecessor with its full-size fit. The height of the outer facing panels is the issue here. I believe there is an easy fix or running change that can be made to that lower panel, by creating a notch where the straps are. This will allow the straps to pull tight, creating a snug fit while also keeping that full coverage fit we all love.
That update, should it get made, may also solve a secondary concern of the fit issue. The panels of the pad are sewn together with a nylon strap that protrude out just enough that it created a hotspot on the paint of the tailgate. Combine that with the semi loose fit allowing for increased dust and dirt ingress, and the clear coat and paint got micro scratches when hauling if the tailgate was not wiped down prior. I believe that this nylon strap should at the minimum have that same felt material backing of the panels sewn over it. Again, I believe this is a consequence of the fit issue, and if you have a vehicle that the pad was designed around, this may not be a concern. I could of likely avoided this as well if I would remove the pad when not in use, but that would make testing durability an even longer process.
The Wolf’s Last Word
“World’s Best” is a lofty goal and one that requires perfection in every sense of the word. The Basecamp Pad 3.0 falls just shy of that in my book, however, it is an immense improvement over the older designs. Cache has done a great job addressing my critiques from the 1st generation Basecamp Pad review.
If you have a newer vehicle, or a vehicle with a thicker or curved tailgate, the Basecamp 3.0 is an easy recommendation if your pockets are deep enough, especially with the Skid Plate and Cargo Net add-ons. For those with thinner tailgates – like the one found on my GMC – some modifications might need to be made to get a perfect fit.
Despite my critiques above, I really like the way the pad looks and performs, all the accessories available for it and how well cargo stays in place. I’ll be making a few minor adjustements to the pad to dial it in just a bit more and continue using the Basecamp 3.0 for the foreseeable future. 
Price: $455.97 As Tested (Price using Cache’s Bundle & Save Offer)
$379.99 – Full-Size Basecamp Pad 3.0
$59.99 – Skid Plate
$99.99 – Cargo Net
$29.99 – 4-Pack Bike Straps
Website: Trustcache.com
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