JK Tailgate Tables - The lowdown

shu2kill

Member
Looks like a cool part… other than it looks to be drop down for storage & lift up (puts your table height higher) and rattle concern on bracket itself…. I like it! If you go that route pos & let us know….. I will have to figure out other good advantages & applications!


thats correct, the table would be higher... my other concern is that the hinge must be at the upper most part of the table, so, i would have to screw it below the plastic cover on the tailgate, and this could mean a very small table... i wanted to get a pair to try (they were for $5 a pair) but they didnt have any in stock... if i build it that way i will definitely post it in here... and about the rattles i would add a small latch to keep it securely closed....
 

Ericwc

New member
They use those hinges in RV's and trailers as pop up counters to extend counter space. Rattling might be an issue but sure there is away to prevent it. my concern would be the weight of the hinges them selves. As other have said they pop up so table would be much higher than other options and they are pretty thick so they would stick out a ways form the tail gate when folded down. BUT for 5$ can't hurt to try.

Eric
 

Comanche Scott

Expedition Leader
What if they were flipped upside down? That might work. Make a "backsplash" to help support the mounting points, and mount them towards the top of the tailgate.
The "table top" would be mounted under the brackets, and it would still need something to hold it closed.
But yeah, $5 is cheaper than a piano hinge, and it does have kind of a cool "industrial" look to it.
Name it something snazzy, like Booku-Timper, and it would probably sell in the millions... lol
 

kojackJKU

Autism Family Travellers!
What if they were flipped upside down? That might work. Make a "backsplash" to help support the mounting points, and mount them towards the top of the tailgate.
The "table top" would be mounted under the brackets, and it would still need something to hold it closed.
But yeah, $5 is cheaper than a piano hinge, and it does have kind of a cool "industrial" look to it.
Name it something snazzy, like Booku-Timper, and it would probably sell in the millions... lol

No No Scott...have you not been over in the ******** chat section? name it the over table/lander table...you can sell it for millions! ha ha ha!
 

Comanche Scott

Expedition Leader
No No Scott...have you not been over in the ******** chat section? name it the over table/lander table...you can sell it for millions! ha ha ha!

ROFLOL! :beer:

They do look like stout brackets, and would lock the table in the "down" position. Great price too. :)
 

homebrwd

New member
After weighting the pros and cons of all the available tables, I decided to go with the Springtail Solutions option. With the addition of some modifications it has been a great product. I added a stainless steel sheet to cover all the hardware for the quick fists and provide a level surface for food prep etc. Also added some LED lighting to help out at night.

View attachment 329202View attachment 329204

I have been looking at this table as well, nice touch with the LEDs.
 

spagthorpe

Observer
I couldn't find the answer to this on their website. The gf really likes the AT Trailgater, mainly for the cutting board, but I can't tell if I'm going to have to drill holes in the tailgate. That's not happening. The alternative is the M-PAC unit, that doesn't require drilling, unless you require much more weight.
 

TheDriver

Observer
Just received and installed a new Trailgater in my '09 JKU - it's really nice! No movement / squeaks including the cutting board, easy 10 minute install (@spagthorpe - it is no-drill), clears the Tuffy deck and factory sub. Was packaged and shipped well, has above-average instructions included and comes across as a quality product from a class-act company. Can't wait to use it - at this point I'd highly recommend it!

Chris
 

theksmith

Explorer
thanks to the OP for putting together the comparison list that started this thread... it was getting a little out of date, so i did a new one with every JK tailgate i could find now including details on size, construction, price, etc. (10 tables in total): https://offroadpassport.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4659

also threw in some thoughts on building your own at the end of that post. working on my DIY version now - will post details here when that is done.
 

Comanche Scott

Expedition Leader
That looks really clean! Definitely like the cup holders, and the web panel looks like a factory part. Two :beer: up!


I've been watching this thread for ideas on building one.
You guys have done some great stuff!
 

shu2kill

Member
after looking at all the DIY tables, finally here is mine... i made an aluminium support to bring the pivot point farther away from the door. this way, the strut serves dual purpose, it keeps the table closed as well as opened... no latches or anything, just pull it and its ready to be used, push it and it is stowed... the strut is rated at about 16 lbs, so its more than enough to keep it tight against the tailgate with no rattles or anything... i used some decals because it looked like a schools marker board...
 

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I had a positive experience recently with Doug at OutBack Adventures that i wanted to share as others are considering their options. Outback makes the trailgater which was the very first mod that i did to my JKU back in 2015 when i bought it new. Since that time i've used the table and cutting board more times that i can count as a work bench, lunch table, food prep surface, a place to hold my kids toys, a place to make drinks and hold snacks while tailgaiting, etc. it's become an absolutely beloved piece of gear on my rig and during those two years it's been completely rattle and trouble free.

during those past two years i've had to take the table off countless times to perform incrementally more difficult mods. a new tire carrier, several different brake lights, a set of LED backup lights, etc. during the most recent cycle of unmounting and remounting the trailgater i stripped one of the little plastic clips which prevented it from retaining the screw any longer and the trailgater began to rattle.

i sent a note to Doug asking if i could purchase a new clip and/or a complete set of mounting hardware. Doug responded within 24 hours and said that he was happy to help however that he didn't sell the clips or mounting hardware. in exchange for a few photos of my rig with the trailater mounted he offered to send me a new set of mounting hardware. i sent the photos and within two days i received a full set of new clips and screws!

in the grand scheme of things this is probably a pretty small gesture but i am completely thrilled with the level of concern that Doug expressed, his quick response time, and his desire to satisfy my inquiry in an effective and very timely manner. all of this despite that the issue i was experiencing with the product was caused by my own action (taking the trailater off and on multiple times which stripped the clip)

By comparison to some of the other offerings the trailgater is not the cheapest option. It is extremely well made, has held up unbelievably well to all of the unconventional uses and punishments that i've put it through and at the end of the day when i had a small problem the owner of the company was more than willing to make it right extremely quickly. i learned long ago that you may serve yourself well to save/budget accordingly and purchase the best quality item that you're able to afford to serve a purpose regardless of what it is or risk buying inferior products more than once when they eventually fail - Buy once cry once.

While i've been very happy with my purchase since day 1, i'm even more thrilled today with that purchase i made more than two years ago.

I hope this information is helpful to others who are working through the evaulation process of the different tailgate table offerings out there.
 

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