DIY tailgate table kickstand ideas needed

[LKG]

I could use some ideas for a kickstand for my tailgate table. I wasn't a fan of the table height with the hinge at the bottom so I built my own. I popped out the trail rail cover and mounted a block of wood to the existing trail rail mounting holes and voila. This raised the table from around 33" +/- to 45" which is a whole lot more comfortable IMO. The wood kickstand works but it looks a little Jerry Riggy and it's bugging me. I would love some ideas to clean that up and make it look a little more professional.

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[Opus]

I think as far as design goes what you have is about your best and cleanest option for a higher and larger table. The only thing I would worry about is that you are putting a lot of stress on one point at the end of that brace where it meets the plastic on the tailgate. Consider maybe distributing that point load over two braces?

 

[Fudster]

Hi Larry:

Stolen right from the pages of some woodworking magazine, imagine that the bottom view of your table looked more like this:

Imagine there is a piece of wood running the width of the table (that is the width when it is not extended/telescoped to its full working width) about 1" deep, permanently attached to the tailgate.

Connected to this piece are your hinges, attached to your table.

This lip I envision might allow, on its underside, to contain two support arms that tuck under the lip when the table is not in use, but flip out to provide the under support your 45 degree member is doing above. One support arm that comes out to 45 degrees might also be possible.

More hardware options https://tinyurl.com/3zeb4ejm present themselves if you are willing to put a vertical wood board on top of the interior grill of the door, to which such hardware can attach.

 

[LKG]

I think as far as design goes what you have is about your best and cleanest option for a higher and larger table. The only thing I would worry about is that you are putting a lot of stress on one point at the end of that brace where it meets the plastic on the tailgate. Consider maybe distributing that point load over two braces?

True, although it's actually pretty solid as it sits. If I can't figure something else out I plan on widdling/customizing the kickstand a bit so it's less likely to pop off the plastic panel. I 'll definitely make two.

 

[LKG]

Hi Larry:

Stolen right from the pages of some woodworking magazine, imagine that the bottom view of your table looked more like this:

Imagine there is a piece of wood running the width of the table (that is the width when it is not extended/telescoped to its full working width) about 1" deep, permanently attached to the tailgate.

Connected to this piece are your hinges, attached to your table.

This lip I envision might allow, on its underside, to contain two support arms that tuck under the lip when the table is not in use, but flip out to provide the under support your 45 degree member is doing above. One support arm that comes out to 45 degrees might also be possible.

More hardware options https://tinyurl.com/3zeb4ejm present themselves if you are willing to put a vertical wood board on top of the interior grill of the door, to which such hardware can attach.

Sorry, I'm not sure I follow.

 

[Fudster]

Sorry, I'm not sure I follow.

 

[Fudster]

Sorry, I'm not sure I follow.

 

[RubiBlueJLU]

A simple idea:
2 triangular-shaped legs, one at each end, hinged off of the bottom of the table.
Fold down and rest against the tail gate plastic. Strong support for the table.
They would fold up under the table, towards each other, when not in use.
Might have to modify your table hinge to make room for the new legs.

 

[LKG]

Ahhh, now I get it, good idea.

 

[MPTee]

Exactly what Rubi said. Here’s mine out of aluminum.
I like the high table too, but can also drop the base for a lower shelf if needed. Very handy and easy to deploy or close.

 

[LKG]

A simple idea:
2 triangular-shaped legs, one at each end, hinged off of the bottom of the table.
Fold down and rest against the tail gate plastic. Strong support for the table.
They would fold up under the table, towards each other, when not in use.
Might have to modify your table hinge to make room for the new legs.

I like that a lot, I only have enough "meat" for a hinge/triangle on the left side but I proped my kickstand up on the far left and if felt plenty sturdy. I'll have to add a bumper/contact point to the plastic panel but that'll clean it all up nicely. Thanks for the idea.

 

[LKG]

Exactly what Rubi said. Here’s mine out of aluminum.
I like the high table too, but can also drop the base for a lower shelf if needed. Very handy and easy to deploy or close.

I like your's even better damnit, if I wasn't such a cheap bastard I'd just order one, haha.

 

[MPTee]

Thanks - mine is home brew too. Cost virtually nothing (from scrap parts in the bin), but it did take a few hours of figurin' to make it work.
I like your wood one - simple and effective.

 

[ArcadeTracks]

I could use some ideas for a kickstand for my tailgate table. I wasn't a fan of the table height with the hinge at the bottom so I built my own. I popped out the trail rail cover and mounted a block of wood to the existing trail rail mounting holes and voila. This raised the table from around 33" +/- to 45" which is a whole lot more comfortable IMO. The wood kickstand works but it looks a little Jerry Riggy and it's bugging me. I would love some ideas to clean that up and make it look a little more professional.

It looks great to me! To get the look you want, maybe paint the kickstand with black Plasti-Dip or a metallic rattle can?

 

[LKG]

Thanks - mine is home brew too. Cost virtually nothing (from scrap parts in the bin), but it did take a few hours of figurin' to make it work.
I like your wood one - simple and effective.

Yup, about 3 bucks in hardware 1/8" cover sheets and a few pieces of wood/plywood liberated from the scrap pile as well. The Baltic Birch ply is becoming scarce thanks to Russia and Ukraine.

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