Best tailgate table?

[zouch]

doubt all you want, but if you were actually familiar with the installation instructions, you would know that one step includes a piece of sticky foam insulation all around the back of the table specifically to seal up the flow of air past the table; it's not just "bolted directly to the door".

it's simply not possible for there to be as much airflow through what's left open as there was through the door grille that is replaced.

The big holes where the tabs are cut from and then bent out appear to leave plenty of space for air molecules to flow. I would highly doubt that panel, bolted directly to the door, seals anything. Just sayin'.
On that note, from all the comments, I like the Outback design. I'm a minimalist, and that one is pretty clean.

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[TJP]

Hi all,

I bought the Rough Country as it looks very similar to the Mopar.

I really wanted a table that has molle slots on it. The RC was $85 and the Mopar was $250.

I received the RC and overall the quality seemed decent, but the latches are pitiful in my opinion. The issue is that the latches look like they well bend open and unlatch themselves.

The mopar latches are much more beefy, seem to be replaceable if needed and the top of the latch that rotates are flattened which will prevent them from stretching open.

They install the exact same way. Im sticking w the mopar which I just got for like $185 shipped new from BAM.

First pic is RC latch, second is Mopar. Note the bottom left of the rc latch there is nothing holding that part in which got crooked. Whereas the mopar latch rod is flattened on inside keeping it in place and preventing it getting crooked.

To be clear I didnt call RC for support, just personally was not thrilled with it vs mopar.

 

[donmontalvo]

I spent a lot of time deciding on which tailgate to get. From folks who I go camping with, the Outback Adventures Trailgater was the one most recommended. I've had mine since 2020, and yea it was costly, but the slide out table makes it worth it. The company sent me rubber clip thingies a year later, that helped reduce the metalic clinging from the cables.

https://donmontalvo.com/2020/12/12/cooking-on-the-rubicon-trail/

^^ Never made it to Rubicon Trail, that's on my 2023 list.

This thread has me thinking about air flow. Come to think about it, when I have all the windows closed but the vent open, I don't feel the air coming through as I used to before I had a table. Maybe I need to drill some holes or slots along the lower edge. Hope to do it before our Jericho Mountain BoH trip a couple weekends from now.

 

[laroo]

Hi all,

I bought the Rough Country as it looks very similar to the Mopar.

I really wanted a table that has molle slots on it. The RC was $85 and the Mopar was $250.

I received the RC and overall the quality seemed decent, but the latches are pitiful in my opinion. The issue is that the latches look like they well bend open and unlatch themselves.

The mopar latches are much more beefy, seem to be replaceable if needed and the top of the latch that rotates are flattened which will prevent them from stretching open.

They install the exact same way. Im sticking w the mopar which I just got for like $185 shipped new from BAM.

First pic is Mopar latch, second is RC. Note the bottom left of the rc latch there is nothing holding that part in which got crooked. Whereas the mopar latch rod is flattened on inside keeping it in place and getting crooked.

To be clear I didnt call RC for support, just personally was not thrilled with it vs mopar.

Weird, my RC latches looked just like the Mopar latches. I sold the jeep recently with the table still installed, so can't prove it, but it was rock solid for 2 years. I guess the quality has gone down or is different depending on which batch you get. I planned to buy another one for the new jeep, now I'm second guessing that decision. I did notice that reviews on Amazon were hit and miss, so you're probably taking a chance on quality with the cheap option.

 

[Chile1]

I like the Mopar Tailgate Table. Easy to install an designed for the JL:

 

[dennis2society]

Hooke-Road...well made, reasonably priced...two shelves.

Hey @DontCallMeRubi - Any chance you can share if there enough clearance around the legs to use the top rack as a standing desk for a laptop?

 

[micahpop]

I like the Mopar Tailgate Table. Easy to install an designed for the JL:

All of the other tables are designed for the JL, too...

 

[Chile1]

All of the other tables are designed for the JL, too...

i prefer to OEM as it looks best imho..

 

[Gunfighter]

With having my RC table since 11/20 and using it often the latches have held up fine.

 

[TJP]

Awesome the latch looked crooked on mine and would almost pull latch out of side of holder. The mopar one is flanged to prevent that from pulling out.

With having my RC table since 11/20 and using it often the latches have held up fine.

 

[Gunfighter]

Awesome the latch looked crooked on mine and would almost pull latch out of side of holder. The mopar one is flanged to prevent that from pulling out.

Admittedly they aren't the best looking latches, but functionality has been fine. But this did get me thinking....maybe a latch update in the future?

 

[TJP]

That would be a great latch and would have otherwise made me want to keep the RC.

Admittedly they aren't the best looking latches, but functionality has been fine. But this did get me thinking....maybe a latch update in the future?

 

[STW]

American Adventure Lab Versa Table: who has photos or reviews of it? Looked like someone above got one.

I chose the AAL Versa Table:
--no cables and the hinges are not in the way, hardly visible
--replaces the rear plastic panel of the tailgate; lowest profile possible when closed
--lightest materials I could find, aluminum and bamboo for the table (also durable)
--clean simple latch for easiest fastest deployment

The Versa Table looks by far the best designed one to me, for someone who wants to pay for those features. A slide-out table isn't a priority for me, and the ones I've tried are wobbly and flex as you press down on them as cutting boards.
Also, the AAL logo is somewhat less obtrusive.
I've tried a few of these tailgate tables.
At first I was thinking I wanted something simple, light, and inexpensive, and liked the DeeZee version because it was claimed to be aluminum. When it arrived it was steel and quite heavy for what it was. The installation didn't replace the rear plastic panel of the tailgate so it costs me some room and space. Overall for someone who wanted something simple cheap and practical and reversible, the DeeZee and similar would be a good choice.

 

[Gadgettr1]

I spent a lot of time deciding on which tailgate to get. From folks who I go camping with, the Outback Adventures Trailgater was the one most recommended. I've had mine since 2020, and yea it was costly, but the slide out table makes it worth it. The company sent me rubber clip thingies a year later, that helped reduce the metalic clinging from the cables.

https://donmontalvo.com/2020/12/12/cooking-on-the-rubicon-trail/

^^ Never made it to Rubicon Trail, that's on my 2023 list.

This thread has me thinking about air flow. Come to think about it, when I have all the windows closed but the vent open, I don't feel the air coming through as I used to before I had a table. Maybe I need to drill some holes or slots along the lower edge. Hope to do it before our Jericho Mountain BoH trip a couple weekends from now.

What do the "rubber things" look like. I have the same table, I'll have to see if I notice the venting you spoke of (I don't often use the vent option).

Jericho is a nice place ( only BOH I've been able to get so far). I hope to get to PA this year to check out those trails.

 

[donmontalvo]

What do the "rubber things" look like. I have the same table, I'll have to see if I notice the venting you spoke of (I don't often use the vent option).

Jericho is a nice place ( only BOH I've been able to get so far). I hope to get to PA this year to check out those trails.

https://outbackadventureproducts.com/product/pull-pins-and-lifters-jl-or-jk/

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