Best tailgate table?

[Gadgettr1]

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

Ohhh ok, I thought you were referring to something else. I have those but didn't install them.

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[22Conrad]

Anyone ever seen something like this for a JL? That looks like a very convienent table\cargo option for soft tops to toss basic groceries in.

Not that I'm suggesting a puppy is groceries. Or maybe they are to you. I don't wont judge your diet.

 

[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 (less logo is good).
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.

Returned from a long trip using the AAL American Adventure Lab Versa Table, which I installed in my 2door JRL at the last minute before the trip. Nevertheless, it performed flawlessly. No rattles, no glitches. I quoted my reasons for choosing it in my previous post.

For my purposes with daily camping in a new place every night, having the simplest, fastest ONE-HANDED open-close action is a really good feature.

There are plenty of times when you put it down and it stays down for the duration. But there are also lots of times when you want it up while you load something, or lots of situations where you have to shut the tailgate for a second then drop the table again when you open the tailgate. Having it be so quick and easy to open and close meant that I never regretted using it--you're never thinking, I shouldn't have opened it yet since I have to close it now. It's so easy to use, you'll use it ALL the time.

The AAL Versa Table is maybe my favorite modification to the JLR. Not the most important perhaps, but probably the favorite. For everyone who sees it in use, it's immediately their favorite Jeep mod.

Since I was installing it last minute, I didn't have time to splice in the lighting cable, which is why my photo shows an auxiliary light in use. The cable is in place to do that when I figure it out. The AAL instructions give you no help with that so it requires a little wiring experience. The instructions in general are not as clear as they should be, and the grainy photos in the instructions don't help at all. I had an easy time with the mechanical install partly because of AAL's excellent sturdy design, but also credit to a couple youtube videos I watched that filled in the blanks from the AAL instructions. So do get the Versa Table, but also do some youtube homework before you install.

It's aluminum so it's quite light compared to the other tailgate tables I tried. I got the bamboo version because bamboo is lightweight, has good surface hardness, pretty impervious to water, is easy to clean and refinish, and also bamboo looks good. But the AAL poplar looks good too and is cheaper.

You may be able to see from the photos but the aluminum back plate is not sealed to the tailgate--there is room for air to get past the table and though the vents, so there was no noticeable difference in sealing or venting when closing the doors.

My photos show a black edging on the upper corners and front edge of the table. That's my own addition of auto door edge guard strips, which I found preferable to the sharp-cut aluminum edges.

 

[22Conrad]

Returned from a long trip using the AAL American Adventure Lab Versa Table, which I installed in my 2door JRL at the last minute before the trip. Nevertheless, it performed flawlessly. No rattles, no glitches. I quoted my reasons for choosing it in my previous post.

For my purposes with daily camping in a new place every night, having the simplest, fastest ONE-HANDED open-close action is a really good feature.

There are plenty of times when you put it down and it stays down for the duration. But there are also lots of times when you want it up while you load something, or lots of situations where you have to shut the tailgate for a second then drop the table again when you open the tailgate. Having it be so quick and easy to open and close meant that I never regretted using it--you're never thinking, I shouldn't have opened it yet since I have to close it now. It's so easy to use, you'll use it ALL the time.

The AAL Versa Table is maybe my favorite modification to the JLR. Not the most important perhaps, but probably the favorite. For everyone who sees it in use, it's immediately their favorite Jeep mod.

Since I was installing it last minute, I didn't have time to splice in the lighting cable, which is why my photo shows an auxiliary light in use. The cable is in place to do that when I figure it out. The AAL instructions give you no help with that so it requires a little wiring experience. The instructions in general are not as clear as they should be, and the grainy photos in the instructions don't help at all. I had an easy time with the mechanical install partly because of AAL's excellent sturdy design, but also credit to a couple youtube videos I watched that filled in the blanks from the AAL instructions. So do get the Versa Table, but also do some youtube homework before you install.

It's aluminum so it's quite light compared to the other tailgate tables I tried. I got the bamboo version because bamboo is lightweight, has good surface hardness, pretty impervious to water, is easy to clean and refinish, and also bamboo looks good. But the AAL poplar looks good too and is cheaper.

You may be able to see from the photos but the aluminum back plate is not sealed to the tailgate--there is room for air to get past the table and though the vents, so there was no noticeable difference in sealing or venting when closing the doors.

My photos show a black edging on the upper corners and front edge of the table. That's my own addition of auto door edge guard strips, which I found preferable to the sharp-cut aluminum edges.

I enjoyed your write up. The "one-handed' point really makes good sense. The mod also is cool. Anyhow, well done.

 

[conFUcius]

Returned from a long trip using the AAL American Adventure Lab Versa Table, which I installed in my 2door JRL at the last minute before the trip. Nevertheless, it performed flawlessly. No rattles, no glitches. I quoted my reasons for choosing it in my previous post.

For my purposes with daily camping in a new place every night, having the simplest, fastest ONE-HANDED open-close action is a really good feature.

There are plenty of times when you put it down and it stays down for the duration. But there are also lots of times when you want it up while you load something, or lots of situations where you have to shut the tailgate for a second then drop the table again when you open the tailgate. Having it be so quick and easy to open and close meant that I never regretted using it--you're never thinking, I shouldn't have opened it yet since I have to close it now. It's so easy to use, you'll use it ALL the time.

The AAL Versa Table is maybe my favorite modification to the JLR. Not the most important perhaps, but probably the favorite. For everyone who sees it in use, it's immediately their favorite Jeep mod.

Since I was installing it last minute, I didn't have time to splice in the lighting cable, which is why my photo shows an auxiliary light in use. The cable is in place to do that when I figure it out. The AAL instructions give you no help with that so it requires a little wiring experience. The instructions in general are not as clear as they should be, and the grainy photos in the instructions don't help at all. I had an easy time with the mechanical install partly because of AAL's excellent sturdy design, but also credit to a couple youtube videos I watched that filled in the blanks from the AAL instructions. So do get the Versa Table, but also do some youtube homework before you install.

It's aluminum so it's quite light compared to the other tailgate tables I tried. I got the bamboo version because bamboo is lightweight, has good surface hardness, pretty impervious to water, is easy to clean and refinish, and also bamboo looks good. But the AAL poplar looks good too and is cheaper.

You may be able to see from the photos but the aluminum back plate is not sealed to the tailgate--there is room for air to get past the table and though the vents, so there was no noticeable difference in sealing or venting when closing the doors.

My photos show a black edging on the upper corners and front edge of the table. That's my own addition of auto door edge guard strips, which I found preferable to the sharp-cut aluminum edges.

Which strips did you use? I’ll probably do the same… just cause I’m clumsy and would wind up finding some stupid way to cut myself on it

 

[rkwfxd]

I dont know if I posted in this thread before but….
I cant get $300+ worth of value from a swing gate table.
I bought a Rough Country which was $87 shipped to my door. Installation was simple and it does not rattle at all. Not even a little.
I did not care for the drink cut outs. Great for a solo red cup but a regular can falls right through. So I found some plastic cup inserts on a boat site for like $1.75 each.
I use this table at some point on every trail run. Well worth the $90 I have into it.

 

[STW]

Which strips did you use? I’ll probably do the same… just cause I’m clumsy and would wind up finding some stupid way to cut myself on it

I used this below. This edging has a metal frame inside the black plastic, which I didn't expect. But it doesn't move around or pop off and seems very stable and durable.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Z4F8WMM/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Tdkrum5]

I’m going to just openly validate my purchase and say this one, mine, is the best of all time. lol

Yes I really like this one but is $479. Wow

 

[Tdkrum5]

The Goose Gear table looks nice, but $529 and two huge logos

It’s $550 now

 

[dragoneggs]

Probably posted this earlier in this thread and apologies if so. Absolutely love my AAL Versa table... paint matched and bamboo table top. Is it worth a left testicle... probably not.

 

[Odyssey USA]

My “political” post in jest got deleted, I got a nasty gram notifying me I got a forever “point” against me (Whatever that means) so I’ll just repeat it a different way. I’ve had not had one issue in 3 years here.

Economics

 

[JKWMD]

I love my AAL Versa-Table; I've heard some complaints of rattles, but I've had none.

 

[Spitfire858]

You guys with the Versa Table: how did you splice into the wiring harness for the light? Any other installation watch-outs? I have one on-order and I'm looking forward to installing it.

 

[Somefun]

I went with Adventure lab in bamboo. love the quality and the button latch works great! Oh and so does the bottle opener! ?

 

[Somefun]

I spliced the wire into the 12V cigarette lighter on the left side of the cargo area.

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