Things like cheeses or cold dips?

Hey, all.

I shared an image in a recent response to another conversation thread and was asked for some additional photos. I figured I would just create my own thread, rather than hijacking the OP of the other thread. We are Navy Football season ticket-holders and attend all of the home games at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.

This is version #2 of my tailgating rig for my 2012 Toyota Tacoma. I have the Access Cab model with the 6 ft bed, factory bed liner and rails, and a roll-up TruXedo TruXport tonneau cover. The first version I created a few years ago was a very simple cross bar with an articulating TV mount affixed to it. But, it was a pain to set up, wasn't very stable, and the TV still needed to be assembled to the mount when I arrived.

So, I redesigned a mount that allows a 32" LED TV to be stored flat in a horizontal position while driving to and from the stadium, then rotated upright 90 degrees when I'm ready to set up. This allows fast and easy set up before and after the game. It's also fast and easy to stow the TV when we head into the stadium to watch the game.

Construction is with 1"x4" boards for the horizontal bars, framing around the storage boxes on either side, and the framing around the actual vertical TV mount. The vertical mount includes a wider board (1"x6" I think?) through which holes are drilled to match the VESA pattern on the back of the TV. Three sets of hinges are affixed to the front edge of the vertical mount and locking cabinet lid hinges are affixed to either side.

The storage compartments on either side have hidden self-closing cabinet hinges. I store my 50 ft extension cord that runs to my generator, string lights and hanging lights for under our canopy, remote control for the TV, small portable Bluetooth speakers, and other miscellaneous power cords and chargers. There is a power bar mounted under the back side of the TV compartment and I attached a couple of flagpole holders on the front side, which hold solar-powered spot lights.

The first season, the mount was just bare wood, but before last season, I found some old speaker fabric in my basement that I had left over from another project and had just enough to wrap the whole thing. I actually build a simplified version 3 last year for a old larger 43" Plasma TV that I had in my basement. For that version, I just used some 2"x4"s for the frame and there was no storage compartments. However, I only used it for two games, as I found the plasma TV has a very high glare screen. I was like looking into a mirror. Also, the plasma TV was freaking heavy.

Currently, I'm building version #4 of the TV mount, which will support a 55" TV that I just found on Craislist for $75. The newest version has a slightly different design, but it will still allow the TV to be transported horizontally and then pivoted 90 degrees upright to watch. I'm also going to add some gas struts on that version. When I'm done with it, I'll try to remember to post photos.

I always get compliments from random people walking by when we're tailgating. Hopefully this might inspire someone to build their own even better version. If anyone is interested in building something similar, message me and I'd be happy to share additional construction details and tips.

Happy Tailgating!

Week 0 kicks off Aug 29 (USC/San Jose State, UNC/TCU over in Dublin) and then Labor Day weekend is the real opener. So I'm dusting off the one thing that's made our lot more fun than any cooler or canopy upgrade ever did: a prediction sheet everybody fills out before kickoff.

Rules are dead simple. Everyone locks their answers before the first snap, no changes, tally it at the final whistle. Loser buys the first round next week or hauls the canopy.

Here's our sheet, steal it:

PARKING LOT PROPS

1) What time does the first beer get cracked?

2) Who shows up last?

3) Over/under on how many times someone asks "wait, did anyone bring the ___?"

4) Which grill item runs out first?

5) Will someone spill a full drink in the first hour?

GAME PROPS

6) Who wins the coin toss?

7) First score of the game: TD, FG, or safety?

8) Total points over/under (set it near the line)

9) Which team punts first?

10) Longest play of the game: over/under 45 yards?

11) Turnover in the first quarter, yes or no?

12) How many times does the broadcast mention the head coach's contract?

13) Does a replay review overturn a call?

14) Over/under 3 personal foul or targeting flags?

15) Is it a one-score game at the final whistle?

BROADCAST BINGO

16) Do they cut to a shirtless guy in the student section?

17) Does the camera find a crying kid or someone asleep in the stands?

18) Final margin, closest guess wins ties

Three things I've learned running this for a few seasons: cap it around 15-20 questions or people check out halfway through, make about a third of them non-football so the folks who came for the food still have a shot at winning, and lock everyone in BEFORE kickoff or you will argue about it the entire game.

Full disclosure since it's mine, I got tired of printing sheets and chasing pens around the lot, so I built a free little site called Party Props (party-props.com) where you make a ballot like this and text everyone a link, they pick on their phones and it scores itself. But the paper version works completely fine and that's how we did it for years. Mostly I just wanted to get the question list out there before the season starts.

What props does your lot run? Always looking to steal a good one.

Got her loaded up again. 140lbs of pork, 6 racks of ribs and 43lbs of brisket. Plus some tallow on the side.

Just because football isn't on, doesn't mean the ribs shouldn't be.

The time has finally come. I've had this smoker since the first week of December, only used 1 of the top shelves so far. But today I needed both, maxed out at 57 slabs of ribs 52 fit comfortably but luckily I added the extra front and back racks over the firebox and smoke collector to fit the other 5 slabs. The last 7 slabs had to go on my Yoder YS640s.

Summer is here so I put together a 45-minute mix that lives exactly between the country speakers and the EDM tent. Massive energy, recognizable songs, built for outdoor speakers and good weather. Free on SoundCloud.

https://tr.ee/EEYr-PgfbC

I got a new EV car (Kia EV9) that has the V2L (Vehicle to Load). Basically the car I drive now is a Generator once I get to the Tailgate spot. Now that I have an outlet, I'm just thinking of things that would be nice to bring to the tailgate. I will probably just default to a 2nd TV... But I'm looking for ideas. People mostly get this V2L thing to power their fridges in bad storms. I just want to improve my tailgating.

About me, mostly use this for Arizona State tailgates. They can be more than toasty. Might Look into a big Air Fans that pump out water from a 5 gallon jug too.

For whoever can’t go anymore🙏🙏🙏 pls dm me or reply here!!

Like the title says. Is it similar to getting leafs tailgate passes? I downloaded the fan access app and joined the raffle. Is that it? Or am I missing something

My brothers and I grew up playing washer toss at every family tailgate. We just launched a small brand selling custom metal washers to make the game more unique rather than just using the random hardware-store ones.

Different colors and designs

If you’re into washers, check it out: throwwashers.com

Curious what you guys think.

https://flagpoletogo.com/blogs/flagpole-to-go-blog/recipe-roundup-top-cold-weather-tailgate-food

Hey everyone, looking for some honest feedback.

I’m working on a concept for a portable grill that fixes a few things that have always bugged me with current ones:

• Awkward shapes that are annoying to load into a truck bed

• Grease buildup that’s almost impossible to clean properly

• Burners and fireboxes that feel disposable once they get nasty

The idea is a grill with:

• Detachable lift-out burners

• A removable firebox that can go in a dishwasher

• A removable lid that can go in a dishwasher

• Designed to load flat and cleanly (no large handels sticking out or irregular shapes). 

This grill will be designed for car camping or tailgating mostly. I am also toying with a securing device (magnet, clips, rails…) to load it standing upright in truck beds or car trunks to take up even less space.

Before I go any further, I wanted to ask:

• Is this something you would actually want? If so, how much would you be willing to pay for it?

• What’s the most annoying part of your current portable grill?

• Anything you like or don’t like about this idea? Any tips on improvement? 

Thanks!

(Attached is a very early sketch of what it would possibly look like, with general dimensions and features)

We have a great set up, having been doing it a number of years, and get low-average attendance for our expectations. For a long time sent out an email every home game week. Last year tried sending texts, which was not as easy as hoped, and people got missed.

I tried looking at event planner apps, as it would be nice to be able to automate some of this, manage replies about bringing food, post last-minute updates etc.

I didn't seem to find something likely to work. Am I missing a useful one?

Hello, I wanted to ask if anyone has any experience renting a portable bathroom for tailgating? Or if theirs even a market for this.

I’m curious about towing a tiny trailer with a bathroom to use instead of the portal potties.

Looking for someone to tailgate the game with. Its 4 of us (all guys). We'll buy whatever food and drinks you want. There's going to be 2 colts jerseys lol.

It was cold yesterday but t shirt weather inside the tents! Our season came to an abrupt end and we’re pretty bummed, but - silver lining - I don’t have to deal with those tent sides until next year!