Mountain Hatch Tailgate Insert | Original Flat vs. Recessed Pockets Option

I'm sure a lot of Tacoma drivers here have upgraded the tailgate insert to a Mountain Hatch. I'm just curious how many of you all find the recessed pockets useful. I could occasionally wanting to lay a few bolts into one of the circular pockets, but as a phone or beer holder it seems like a waste of real estate to me. Can't you just set your phone on the flat surface? Same with a beer can or bottle?

But as I mentioned, I'd like to hear all of your thoughts on it. Thanks!

 

You are right that a recess is kinda silly, but it is nice to have for the reasons you noted. I would not pay extra for them.

The one that I have does have them. I do use them at times to keep stuff from rolling away. I mainly got one to be easier on my knees when crawling in and out of the back, but it really does not help with that.

 

1/4” deep isn’t going to do much except keep screws from rolling away.
There’s so many tailgate inserts why are you set on that one? It’s the same price as snail armor which is aluminum. There are plastic ones with functional cup holders I believe

 

Awesome! I appreciate you input and your photo. The price is the same. I just feel like if I am using it as a cutting board, more flat space and less nooks for things to fall in would be preferred.

 

You're welcome!

Agreed. It certainly makes a great worksurface. I use it often for that since my garage has no space for a workbench.

 

I did consider going with Hooke Road to save a few bucks, but the images of the Mountain Hatch look like a way cleaner fit. It may just be the model truck that Hooke Road used. If I was working in the marketing department, I would update their photos with a better looking truck.

I haven't seriously considered going with aluminum like Snail Armor. What advantages would I have using aluminum? I like the hard food grade plastic I can use as a cutting board and black pigment, I wouldn't have to worry about scraping.

P.S. I feel like 1/4" is all that is needed to keep things like screws rolling away. It doesn't take much. But I'm still leaning towards flat.

 

Just a note that mine is Hooke Offroad. I got it because I had Amazon Rewards Points that made it very cheap.

It fits fine.

 

I didn't realize that. They should use your photo in their product listing. The photo they have on eBay is missing a piece of the tailgate so it makes it look like the surface protrudes above the edge. Example below:

 

Cheers!

I had a similar struggle as the Amazon pics were pretty weak also.

 

I always felt like the cutting board sales pitch was a gimmick. If you’re processing a ton of fish or something it could be handy, but for cooking at camp I would just use a piece of cardboard garbage or bring a cutting board that I could actually wash. How much chopping and slicing are people doing on the road?
Idk why aluminum would be better, but I’d pick metal over plastic for the same price just to be fancy

I personally think the entire insert market is a solution in search of a problem, but have seen some neat DIY ones with rubberized surfaces I thought were kinda cool.
Be sure and consider how slick various surfaces and materials will be when wet/cold

 

I kind of agree with you about the market in search of a problem, but I would not limit that to tailgate inserts. So many unnecessary products for these trucks. But I think the tailgates as they are shipped from the production line are a major flaw from the manufacturers. I don't know why anybody would want a corrugated surface. Even for just a casual tailgater, wouldn't everybody prefer something flat that they can set things on? And as the other commenter mentioned, way easier on the knees getting in and out of.

As for the food prep appeal, my experience tells me you can never have enough counter space. There's never enough in the kitchen. This is especially true when you have more than one person cooking. I feel the same way in my garage. My workbench is never big enough when I'm working on a project. At camp or a job site, counter space is even more valuable.

 

Got the mountain hatch one, I got it because the black/orange two tone was kinda cool. Is it overpriced? Absolutely, but I don't really regret getting it. Hated the one that comes on the truck. As far as the cutting board aspect it's whatever but it is kinda useful for cutting anything you don't want to dull your knife when cutting through, not just food.