What’s your yearly tailgating experience like? A drab? Maybe it’s the same old thing in your backyard – a couple cornhole boards here and a beer pong table there, caved in by the confines of your fences, marred by the noise complaint warnings of your neighbors. So at the end of it, all you get is a monotonous occasion that simmers down by early evening. How boring! If you’re in such a “drought”, it might be time to quench your thirst for something new by embarking on a tailgating road trip.

It’s an idea that may bring both excitement and intimidation. After all, it might seem like there’s so much to plan for, and it’s not something you can pull off overnight. But it’s not impossible. By ensuring you have all the necessary equipment, such as tailgate tables, food storage equipment, and safety gear, you can journey off into an unforgettable experience. So yes, there is a bit of a work to do beforehand, but it’s not anything you can’t manage.

The Starting Point

Before discussing what belongs in your bags, it’s worth talking about some other practical things first. A road trip will not succeed on equipment alone. You need a fully realized plan if your trip is to unfold in a smooth and non-chaotic fashion. So what should you give thought to?

Forethoughts

There will be expenses! So it’s important that you arrange your affairs early to avoid paying more later on. You’ll also save yourself from a ton of headaches and stress.

• Location - There’s a saying out there that reads, “It doesn’t matter where you’re going, it’s who you have beside you.” It’s a beautifully written quote, but don’t take it to heart when planning your tailgating road trip. Location is everything and a lively party won’t be possible if you don’t have a space to host your event. So make preparations far in advance when it comes to finding a place. That includes both the geographical location and the type of area you intend to use (i.e. campsite or park).
• Gas - Now you don’t want to leave home without thinking about fuel. Let’s face it, gas prices aren’t fun to look at or pay for. But if you want to drive, you have to do it. You’ll have to consider the distance and location of your venue, as well as the vehicle you’re driving and the amount of equipment you plan to haul along with you. More importantly, your budget will determine what you can actually pay for, so make sure there’s enough in your wallet to support your travel plans.
• Accommodations - Closely related to your location of choice is your temporary housing of choice. Perhaps you’ll stay in a tent or an RV. Or you might even head over to a cabin or cottage. Wherever you plan to stay, you need to make sure that it’s in suitable shape for your residence. The last thing you want is a shelter that is too cramped, or physically incapable of sheltering you from the elements.
• Safety - Finally, you need to consider the health and safety of yourself, as well as the well-being of your friends and family members. The outdoors, although refreshing, can be unpredictable. You may have to contend with anything – weather extremes, wildlife, injury or sudden illness. It’s no one’s wish to encounter any of these ordeals, but it’s something you have to prepare for in case they do occur.

On the Road: A Look at the 5 Tailgating Essentials

Now that we’ve got the other stuff out of the way, we can talk about the items you should bring for the fun and games! Without them, you might as well call your tailgating a mere “outing in the woods”. So pay attention to this equipment, and make sure they’re on your shopping list.

Five Essential Pieces of Equipment for Road Trip Tailgating

1. Boards, Sets, and Tables – You wouldn’t have much fun without the necessary gaming equipment, so don’t leave home without it! Think of your tailgate tables as the “backbone” of your event. They might very well house everything you bring, ranging from food and drink to gaming items. Within that realm are your beer pong tables – assuming you plan to play beer pong to begin with. Also, don’t forget about other gaming items, such cornhole boards and bean bags, or ladders (for ladder golf) and horseshoes (for you guessed it, horseshoes!)
2. Portable Cooking/Grilling Equipment – Let’s face it. Your food selection can make or break the party. Therefore, it only makes sense to bring the best cooking equipment and storage. Portable grills, smokers and/or ovens definitely need to travel with you. You’ll be able to cook hearty foods like burgers, sausages, steaks, and much more as opposed to sandwiches and snacks (not that those are bad, however). Also, coolers for drinks and other foods meant to be refrigerated should also come with you. Consider this for both convenience and health (you don’t want to eat spoiled food).
3. Generators - If you want your event to be surrounded by nature, there’s a good chance that your excursion will be like a mini-camping trip. In that case, you can’t go wrong with generators. Remember, things happen out in the woods, and you don’t want to be totally cut off and forced to enter survivalist mode. Therefore, a generator can offer you a power source to charge electronics such as smartphones in case of emergencies, and other devices for entertainment. That leads us to our next item.
4. Speakers and Sound Systems – Okay, so technically you don’t need to have speakers and other audio devices. But can you really call it a party without music fun? Of course not! So if you’ve got a set of portable speakers and audio equipment you can bring, don’t hesitate to take them with you. The right tunes can add some needed “oomph” to the occasion, and that’s something you’ve most likely witnessed if you’ve been to some the country’s major tailgating events. Just make sure to keep them secure and safe, so that they don’t sustain damage from outdoor elements. Also, try to refrain from bringing a speaker that’s too heavy and unable to stand on top of tailgate tables. There’s no need to burden yourself with extra weight or subject other equipment to undue strain.
5. Weather Resistant Apparel – Speaking of the elements, please take the weather into consideration. If you only have one weekend open for your party and rain will fall on those days, don’t expect nature to postpone its plans for you. Prepare for both the expected and unexpected. Rain coats and boots will be your shining armor against heavy rains, while sunscreen and a hat will shield you from the onslaught of intense sunshine. And don’t forget about bugs. Mosquitoes and black flies will have a feast if you don’t use insect repellent.

Hit the Road Jack

This abbreviated checklist should get you started on the right path. One thing you need to keep in mind is the scope of your event. The bigger the occasion, the more planning that is necessary. You might want to experiment by trying something small if it’s your first time hitting the road. That way, you won’t feel overwhelmed with the sheer amount of thought that goes into creating a big event.

Keep it simple by bringing basic items such as tailgate tables, food and supplies, as well as clothing and necessary shelter units (such as tents). You can always go bigger and try bolder things at a future time once you’ve learned the ropes with a smaller party. With that said, don’t fall into the same rut year after year. Hit the road, and you just might rediscover the thrill of tailgating!

Looking for advice on choosing the right tailgating gear? Give us a shout so we can help you make the right choices!