Tailgate table idea???

I’ve been working up the same rifle case kitchen idea! I was planning on removing half the foam in the case (right side) and storing dry food there. Jetboil genesis and flash, utensils, and MSR cook set will be set in the foam on the left. I have an Adventure Trail Gear Rugged Tailgate bag to hold fuel, trash bags, cleaning supplies, etc. I’d like to store a big cutting board inside the lid with magnets so I can mount it at camp to the outside of lid of the case after flipping the magnets.

I was thinking of mounting the case by installing 2 adjustable pieces of webbing with bolts into the case underneath the case to strap around the tailgate while it’s down and allow it to cantilever out. In transit I would strap it to my bed rack.

I use my truck for work and need to be able to easily move my shit in and out. I think it’s a dope idea, cost effective, and saves a fuck ton of weight versus a slide out. And, most importantly, the truck still gets to be a truck when I want it to be a truck.

 

Following! this is a super interesting idea.

 

Someone let me be their test mule.
Also about to make my own tire carrier with drop down table to make use of space and free up tailgate space

 

full send - very curious

 

I toyed with this same idea for years. I came to the conclusion that someone could make a killing off of a design idea I had, but I eventually just ended up with a cheap fold out table and am just as happy. Anyways, I think the easiest and most easily marketable idea would be something very similar to the flat metal tailgate panel replacements. Basically take two of those, install the 1st normally, attach a hinge far passenger side, and add a 2nd panel that would still lay flat on top of the other when not "open". When it opens, it would just hinge open like an open book towards the passenger side of the vehicle, basically like a double width tailgate. Obviously would need a slit in it to clear the tailgate support cable, and some adjustable legs for support, but it seems like a really easy idea that anyone with basic fab skills could do.

 

That's a cool idea. I might want it to rotate out 90 degrees so the cable wouldn't be an issue. You would lose a bit of space, but the L shape "counter" would be handy too.

 

I liked that idea too; I ultimately didn't like that the swivel idea only gave a small amount of added space, since a large portion of it would still be on the tailgate.

 

I think it depends on where it would swivel from. If the bottom right corner, for example, there wouldn't be much overlap, but there would need to be some support. Also, I just installed the Snailarmor tailgate panel and while it's cool and would make a nice swing out, it would need some added support if it's going to hold much weight. I think something similar but with a small I beam welded on the bottom with a drop down leg would be perfect, but it wouldn't really be able to lay flat against the bed when stored. The flip out would be better in that case.

 

I imagine some sort of steel or aluminum panel would be optimal for either of the ideas, hinge over or swivel design. Another reason I liked the hinge over idea more was because the panel would need to be much smaller, or at least notched in certain spots, in order for it to swivel out and not bind on either side.

Clarification if anyone doesn't understand the idea I'm trying to explain; look at the design of many of the "tailgate ladders" that hinge over to the side of the tailgate. Take that design, but replace it with a full length tailgate piece of sheet metal, and add some removable legs for support.

 

Or attach sheet metal and legs to the tailgate ladder...?

 

Exactly. But bonus points if you take the ladder out of the equation and just use the same idea for a cheap DIY hinging mount for less money/less bulk. But exactly what I mean.

 

The ladder would give you the support under the table as well as the attachment. But it does seem the less sophisticated approach. Now to get someone to fab this up and start selling them.

 

I agree; BUT, make the table and supporting legs easily removable and the ladder company would get to sell them as "add ons" with their ladders. But they probably understand theres zero market for it. And is the reason we have these great ideas, yet grab the lifetime plastic folding table for $20 every time we need a table at camp lol.

 

Following

 

Eventually I'll get around to making a function option

 

I've been toying with this table idea as well. I did not care for my swingout but since getting rid of it I sure miss having that extra table. I was thinking something like this.

https://youtu.be/nsGNbYqIj7Y

 

Saw this on FB, pretty sweet.

 

Whats the flat panel you used on your tailgate? Not a fan of the ribs on the stock tailgate.

 

Think there are multiple companies now that make them, but this is a brand called "mountain hatch" tailgate cover

 

I really like this one. Any more info on it?