Hoodworks
Cycling
Light Vision Labs
In May of 2015, Hoodworks was a young startup building specialized prototypes of six different outdoor adventure vehicles, and Co-Founder Matthew Bader headed to Mount Hood in his pickup for a hike. He had been working on customizing tailgates for some Toyota Landcruisers and found himself in a convoy of all-mountain and downhill riders going to the slopes. Each pickup he saw had the same setup; bunches of killer, super expensive bikes with their front wheels draped over the tailgate. This observation led to an “AHA!” moment, and that moment formed the last six months - an absolute flurry of creative production that has seen the birth of the GearGate system.
Each Hoodworks GearGate™ is a revolutionary replacement tailgate that works like a Swiss army knife. We have now designed patent-pending GearGates for all kinds of outdoor sports, from motocross to kayaking. Each has an array of specially-selected internal and external features that make it easier for you to live that sport with your pickup. And because of that experience on the mountain, our first production GearGate™ is made for cycling.
Cyclists are all about specialized, custom gear, and every American truck owner we know wants the toughest, best quality equipment money can buy. We are proud to launch the GearGate™ Systems Cycling Comp One (GGS-CC1); a tailgate that treats the coolest gear that you have - your bikes and your pickup - like they deserve.
Hoodworks is a company built to create the world’s best equipment for outdoor activities, and building it right, here in Oregon. Hoodworks was founded in March 2015 to build outdoor adventure vehicles; and while on that path we discovered the GearGate™; a replacement pickup tailgate that revolutionizes the way truck owners use their vehicles. Hoodworks is about handcrafted quality, made in America, and the toughest, best quality gear you can imagine. At Hoodworks, making custom products for outdoor fun is in our DNA; it’s just what we do. Welcome to a new way of thinking about your pickup.
The GearGate Cycling Comp One (GGS-CC1) is customized for cyclists and includes innovative storage and locking solutions for any ride, securing three bikes and the rest of your gear. Remarkable innovation, aggressive styling, and deeply considered design and craftsmanship from Portland, Oregon.
Real riders know not all bikes are equal. At least when they’re in your truck, Hoodworks has created an equalizer. Our UB-Shafts can accept open-dropout forks as well as thru-axle designs and are sized to accept hub widths of up to 150mm. No more complicated piles of widgets and doodads to hold your bikes. Also sold separately as part of our upcoming Python UB Mount.
Each GearGate is installed with a top-quality, American-made, high-density foam-filled Nanuk toolbox made to withstand the toughest your lifestyle can dish out. Our partnership with Nanuk feels awesome; we love their quality and features so much we changed our design to accommodate their products. The case locks within the GearGate then deploys easily to bring your tools, six-pack, or electronics within reach.
We knew our handles would say a lot about both the look and the toughness of the GearGate, so we went to the experts. Our friends in California specialize in multi-purpose automotive latching systems. When we saw their aluminum T-handles with a braided cable and stainless-steel sheath, we had to make them part of our design. The handles are ergonomically positioned underneath our compartment bar, which itself is nestled under our powder-coated aluminum panels. A sure feel with unbeatable quality, made in California.
You get back from a ride, dusk is gathering. Time to change clothes, pop off your front wheel, throw back an energy bar, and hit the road. But you can’t see a thing inside or outside your truck bed. We know this situation and have integrated super bright LED lighting (over 1000 lumens) that gives the brightness you need without draining your battery. You can choose to light inside or outside your bed, or both. Works with GearGate open or closed. Waterproof, super tough, and Made in the USA.
You bought killer gear to use it, not worry about it. Bike theft is bad, very bad, and that’s exactly why the GearGate went medieval on thieves, literally. We sourced a security chain from a company that dates back to 1479 in the dark woods of Europe. Our model is made at Pewag’s facility in Pueblo, Colorado, and is damn near impossible to break. Our military uses these chains as snow gear for their heavy-duty on- and off-road equipment. It’s anchored by a tactical grade U-bolt, completely out of reach outside the GearGate. Finally, our passive locking system means there are no extra keys. The chain locks when your GearGate locks. Simple as that. Rockwell Hardness 64, Titanium-Infused.
Ever seen a mantis prepare to strike? We channelled that amazing creature’s attitude into burly steel claws that grab and hold our incredibly strong chain. Worried about a padlock making a weak link? There isn’t one. Simply closing your GearGate puts the Mantis completely out of reach of theives. “Theftproof” doesn’t exist; but Hoodworks’ GearGate comes real close.
Whether your current gate locks remotely or with a traditional key; we have you covered. When our lock is actuated; three steel bars slide into position. The first secures your GearGate to the truck body. The second moves a piston into the Nanuk - you’d have to destroy it to remove it. The third closes a Mantis hook that gives your GearGate a place to secure your chains even when it’s closed.
If you have guns or valuables in your home; chances are you know Cannon Safe; their products have an incredible reputation for quality, strength, and security. This is why the GearGate had to have one of their compact NanoVault products. Designed for handguns, GearGate users need them to stow keychains, smartphones, and wallets before a run, so that you can get them back out without needing to take a gigantic key fob on your ride. 3-digit combinations; bolted and cable-secured to the GearGate frame.
Just finishing off that last mile of trail? Parched? Every Hoodworks GearGate integrates a reinforced aluminum bottle opener that cracks open your cold one and saves the lid for the trash. In fact; this GearGate has two.
Our first GearGate for production, the GearGate Cycling Comp One (GGS-CC1) is specially designed for cyclists, and there are many more GearGates in the works. We have identified forty different sports that we are designing GearGates for, and many of these have multiple iterations. In fact, Hoodworks is engaging with Crowd Supply to use enthusiast input to improve and narrow down what tools and features become a part of each GearGate.
The GGS-CC1 is available three optional configurations, all of which can ship in early 2016 for all current domestic full-size trucks (contact us to inquire about other vehicles):
As seen in the video with lighting, lock chains, Nanuk case, combo locking NanoVault safe, three UB-Shafts for bike forks, and Hoodworks bottle opener. Price: \$1,790 (Early Bird \$1,590)
For those who want to be the first to own a GearGate, but don’t need the bike mounts. All GGS-CC1 features except the three UB-Shafts.
The (GGS-CC2), similar to the CC1 but designed for the Toyota Tacoma: with LED lights, locking chain, Nanuk case, combo locking NanoVault safe, storage for three bikes, and Hoodworks bottle opener.
By joining the GearGate Experience, you can demo the HoodWorks GearGate on your truck for up to one week (7 days). The GearGate Experience applies to currently available GearGate models only. This is available in select cities (see below for cities) in CA, OR, TX, WA, or other locations that generate 5 or more participants.
The GearGate completely replaces your old tailgate so installation couldn’t be simpler - it literally takes less than one minute. Our first model is designed for full-size Ford, GM, and Ram trucks but we’re already developing models for Toyota and Nissan as well. Please get in touch with any fitment questions that you might have.
| Manufacturer | Model | Year | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | F-150 | 2015 – | NOW |
| Ford | F-150 | 2009 – 2014 | NOW* |
| Ford | Super Duty | 2015 – | NOW |
| Dodge Ram | 1500 | 2009 – | NOW† |
| Dodge Ram | HD | 2009 – | NOW† |
| Chevrolet | Silverado | 2014 – | NOW |
| Chevrolet | Silverado HD | 2014 – | NOW |
| Chevrolet | Silverado | 2007 – 2013 | Coming Soon |
| Chevrolet | Silverado HD | 2007 – 2013 | Coming Soon |
| GMC | Sierra | 2014 – | NOW |
| GMC | Sierra HD | 2014 – | NOW |
| GMC | Sierra | 2007 – 2013 | Coming Soon |
| GMC | Sierra HD | 2007 – 2013 | Coming Soon |
| Toyota | Tacoma | 2005 – | Now‡ |
| Toyota | Tundra | 2014 – | Coming Soon |
| Toyota | Tundra | 2007 – 2013 | Coming Soon |
| Nissan | Titan | 2016 – | Coming Soon |
| Nissan | Titan | 2003 – 2015 | Coming Soon |
*Flareside bed not included
†Rambox eqipped trucks launch date TBD
‡Non-Flareside, April Delivery
The “Made in PDX” label is a symbol of the resurgence of quality American manufacturing. Not only is our GearGate handmade here; but virtually all of our parts, metal, and labor are sourced from within a 4-hour radius of our home just south of the mighty Columbia River.
Help us tailor our innovation in order to best fit our GearGates to what our customers need. We have over one hundred designs already, but only want to ship the best ones - as judged by you. Get in touch with us to give us your ideas about what features each GearGate should have, and how to present them.
Becoming an early GearGate customer puts you at the forefront of what we believe will be a new era in automotive design, where each new product will be a statement of its own, but also part of an exclusive Hoodworks movement; one in which our customers and innovation will help shape the way vehicles are designed. If you are a professional in one of the sports we are supporting; get in touch to see if we can work together. As a launch special, there are even a limited number of Pro Deal subscriptions that will give you exclusive access to unique and unreleased products and prototypes in exchange for regular design input and helping to get the word out.
We are outdoor enthusiasts who look at vehicles as a means to an end. Yes, we are car and truck people too, but we do not approach vehicles as destinations unto themselves. We see vehicles as a conduit to adventure. They help us access places we could not otherwise reach and they provide us with independence to chase our passions. This perspective enables us to see vehicles differently. We don’t care if we are innovating inside or outside the box, as long as we are creating high quality, original products that make a positive contribution to your outdoor adventures.
You can learn about the team on our website.
Is the bottle opener in the GearGate video upside down?
Thanks for looking so closely. The bottle opener was fabricated in the shape of the Hoodworks “Vertical HW” logo and as such is not upside-down. However, the prototype in the film did have some engineering issues that we have since addressed. Mostly this has to do with the tolerances and a small metal ‘lip’ that was missing from the prototype opener in the shot. Also, our production gates have a rigid steel (rather than HDPE) top rail and the bottle opener will be very rigid for easier leverage.
How much does the GearGate weigh?
Depending on the model and options, the GearGate weighs between 30-60 pounds and is probably close in weight to your original tailgate. To reduce weight, Hoodworks adopted an all-aluminum custom tube compartment that should bring these figures down further. To make the gate as durable as possible; the GearGate is designed with special full-length tubular steel hinges and latch supports that are massively strong and can take much more abuse than your original tailgate.
What has Hoodworks done to reduce corrosion and salt damage?
All frame materials on the production GearGate are crafted in precision powder coated steel and aluminum, making corrosion extremely unlikely.
What anti-theft attributes does the GearGate have?
Whether your current gate locks remotely or with a traditional key; we have you covered. When our lock is actuated; three steel bars slide into position. The first secures your GearGate to the truck body. The second moves a piston into the Nanuk – you’d have to destroy it to remove it. The third closes a Mantis hook that gives your GearGate a place to secure your chains even when it’s closed.
Can I match my GearGate to a specific paint color?
The options shown here include a matched powder-coat finish that enables you to choose from a great number of colors. Still, we know that you may be interested in a custom color or a specific OEM hue that does not exist in powder-coat. For you, we can supply the GearGate “naked” with unfinished aluminum and primed steel surfaces. Please contact us for more information.
"A custom tailgate made just for hauling mountain bikes."
"The GearGate is a fundamental departure from the tailgates we have become comfortable with over the last 70 years. "
"...the concept of the Gear Gate is to offer truck owners various tailgate configurations that will allow trucks to accomplish more with this under-utilized space."
"GearGate is like the end result if Victorinox or Leatherman built tailgates, it is aimed at active truck owners..."
"It’s an innovative replacement gate that includes storage for a cyclist’s gear, and it keeps bikes locked and secured in the bed of the truck."
"The GearGate Cycling Comp has universal bike mounts, heavy duty lock chains, a Nanuk toolbox, a Cannon Safe combo safe, external and internal waterproof LEDs and more."
"Loaded with some bike friendly features, the GearGate puts a lot of the things you need in one place and adds a few other handy items to boot."
"As someone who enjoys cycling I think this is great"
"...just switch in this new tailgate and your truck is ready to get on the road with a trio of bicycles in tow"
" I dig this bike specific design and am excited to see what the other sport specific designs look like."
"The Hoodworks GearGate is the Swiss army knife of pickup truck accessories."
"Remarkable innovation, aggressive styling, and deeply considered design and craftsmanship"
"Personal cunosc câţiva biciclişti utilizatori de pick-up şi nici mie nu mi-ar displace unul."
"The...GearGate System tailgate is designed for avid cyclists."
"The Hoodworks GearGate is to your stock tailgate what a Swiss Army Knife is to a standard knife."
"Immaculate design, strength and utility are part of Hoodwork’s vision..."
"HoodWorks took the best materials and technology from renowned constructors then added a style touch to create GearGate."
Produced by Hoodworks in Portland, Oregon.
Sold and shipped by Crowd Supply.
The GearGate Experience is available in select cities in BC, CA, ID, OR, TX, WA, and other locations with 5 or more participants. The GearGate Experience includes: a Hoodworks hoodie or bottle opener, installation and use of a Hoodworks GearGate for up to a week on your own truck, removal and replacement of the original. Also includes a coupon for $100 off your first GearGate + friend referral offer. See page for conditions and fine print. The GearGate Experience will be in your town between April and June, 2016.
The (GGS-CC2), similar to the CC1 but designed for the Toyota Tacoma: with LED lights, locking chain, Nanuk case, combo locking NanoVault safe, storage for three bikes, and Hoodworks bottle opener. Price: $1,390 (Early Bird $1,090 price for first 25 backers.)
The (GGS-CC1), as seen in the video with lighting, lock chains, Nanuk case, combo locking NanoVault safe, three UB-Shafts for bike forks, and Hoodworks bottle opener. Price: $1,790 (Early Bird $1,590 price for first 25 backers.)
For those who want to be the first to own a full-size GearGate, but don’t need the bike mounts, the (GGS-comp) is for you. All the GGS-CC1 features except the three UB-Shafts. Price: $1,490 (Early Bird $1,390 price for first 25 backers.)
Limited to fifteen outdoor enthusiasts with new model trucks who can drive to Portland for their GearGate installation. Hoodworks will install 2-3 gates over a 12-month period for each member for testing in exchange for testing, feedback and social media exchange. Beta Testers will be given a GearGate of choice after 12 months (depending on availability) or continue to test new prototypes. Deal includes 35% discount on all Hoodworks products for 5 years and free fitment of existing accessories to new vehicles. Subject to Beta Tester agreement on confidentiality and marketing responsibilities.
Locally machined in Portland, Oregon. Also receive a $60 coupon for your first GearGate.
Build American Made Custom Tailgates for Your Sport
Receive a Hoodworks Hoodie and a $100 coupon for your first GearGate.
Hoodworks exists to serve outdoor enthusiasts who value high quality, innovative automotive products. We design, build, and market products that combine a meticulous, purposeful, and robust approach to American design and manufacturing with a passion for sustainable business practices and a respect for the natural environment.
