Tailgating can be a lot of fun especially if you have all the gear and gadgets that help create a fun and festive atmosphere.
But all the gear and gadgets can occupy a lot of space and that can be challenging if you don’t have a truck, trailer, RV or other large vehicle that has the capability of transporting everything.
So what can you bring when driving a vehicle that only has a small trunk or limited storage space but you still want to have a cool setup? We put together a list of all the cool gear that we use to create an amazing setup and still fit everything in your trunk.
The foundation of any proper tailgate setup is the ground cover. It creates a comfortable, festive atmosphere and also prevents dust and dirt from over taking the space. We used a piece of 5ft. x 8ft. artificial turf & painted it like a football field to cover the ground in front of our space. This was a DIY project that allowed us to customize our design but there are some really good pre made football field carpets that can be purchased on Amazon as well. Any material can be used but we felt like the turf creates a festive mood and is easy to clean in case of spills.
The pop up tent is great for creating shade, protection from rain, helps keep heat in on cold days and provides a place to hang flags or other signage which creates a festive atmosphere. This mini pop up tent is 4ft. X 6ft. and fits perfectly inside the parameters of most stadium parking spaces and perfectly behind most vehicles. It’s also the perfect size to fit in the trunk area of most passenger vehicles.
Tables are necessary for obvious reasons but the folding camping table is especially helpful because it’s strong, easy to clean and breaks down into a small manageable size that fits perfectly in the trunk so you’re able to fit multiple tables if needed.
Covering the table isn’t a necessary thing to do but we find that it helps dress up the table a bit and gives it a more polished look. There are many styles of table covers but we find that the spandex covers are great because they can be thrown in the washing machine to clean, they’re made of heavy fabric that doesn’t blow off easy in windy conditions, they look professional and they even provide more stability to the table.
5. Plate & Cutlery Caddy (Optional)
To organize the plates, napkins and cutlery we like to use a caddy when possible.
6. BAG COOLER
With limited space available the cooler situation can be a little complicated. We found that an inexpensive bag cooler works perfectly to hold most of the food & drinks needed and fits easily in the trunk or back seat of the vehicle. The bags are surprisingly roomy and can hold a good amount of food and ice to keep things cool.
The BLACKSTONE portable table top griddle is super versatile and can be used to cook a variety of tailgating food. From chicken wings, to burgers or even scrambled eggs, the Blackstone does it all. The best part about the Blackstone is that it runs on a small 1lb. propane canister and it all fits snuggly into the trunk.
Folding chairs are great because like the camping table, they’re sturdy enough to hold most adults and fit perfectly in a trunk. There are a number of different styles of chairs and some camping chairs can break down to a surprisingly small size, which allows for the storage of many if needed.
9. Smart TV
Ahhh, the TV. Arguably one of the Crown Jewels of the tailgating setup. It allows the opportunity to watch other big games or pregame shows during the tailgating party and just makes the setup feel complete! One 32inch TV is sufficient and usually fits perfect in the trunk. They are very light weight and use very little power. However, if you really want to step up your game then a smaller 24 incher can be added to supplement the setup without taking up too much space.
10. TV STAND
Having a place to prop the TV is key and although the tables could be used to accomplish this, it’s much easier and sturdier to have the TV propped up independently on its own stand. The tripod stand works perfectly to accomplish this and also packs away perfectly into the trunk without taking up too much space.
If you’re a fan of college football then you’re definitely gonna want to add the DISH Tailgater portable satellite system to your arsenal of tailgating gear. The system consists of a small receiver, remote and medium sized dome covered satellite that fits great in the trunk or back seat. It’s a pay as you go package so once you set up your account you can just pay for the months you need it (football season) and then disconnect it during the rest of the year. It gets ESPN, BIG TEN, SEC, ACC and other networks so you can see all the games not broadcast on local TV. The best part is the whole system uses a minimal amount of power so it can be connected to your power station without any issue.
12. Portable Power Station
The battery bank is essential in order to provide power to the TVs and the great thing is that most portable power station take very little space and are small enough to fit anywhere. Most have enough power to last 4-5hrs even with multiple devices plugged in. And some are also equipped for solar charging. And with the addition of a portable solar panel connected, they can have unlimited power from the sun to power all your devices.
13. FLAG POLE
The flag pole with your favorite team flag is the cherry on top of the tailgate setup. There a number of different flag pole options on the market but we prefer the portable, telescopic flag pole. It takes up very little space, is sturdy and allows for multiple flags.
14. FLAG POLE HOLDER
If you want to safely and securely setup your flag pole then you’ll need a flag pole holder. The under the tire flag pole mount fits nicely in the trunk and slides snuggly under any car tire.
15. PORTABLE BATHROOM (Optional)
While most stadiums and other tailgating venues usually have access to public restrooms or ports potties, sometimes the lines to access them can be outrageously long. Not to mention the facilities can sometimes get trashed, so to remedy that it can be helpful to bring your own portable bathroom. We like to use a folding privacy tent, folding camping toilet and disposable sanitary bags. Everything folds up and can fit neatly in the trunk.
So there you have it, our list of compact tailgating gear that maximizing space and provides just enough equipment to create a Helluva Setup!
