Best idea for a tailgate?

Like a lot of you guys I camp out of my 4Runner and my favorite option on my Tacoma is my tailgate so I would much rather have a useful tailgate like the 1st and 2nd gen 4Runners than a roll down window but I can’t change what it is. I had a rigged tire carrier with a table setup but I wasn’t a fan of the whole rigged system overall and I don’t want to build a platform with a pullout anyone else have a suggestion besides the obvious carry a table with you

 

The rear sliding cargo tray is a nice feature.

 

$140 Tire Table Vehicle Tire-Mounted Steel Camping, Travel, Tailgating and Outdoor Work Table, Black (Steel) , 29 x 23 x 1.5"

Tire mount camp table. Can easily construct one from schedule 40 or 60 PVC pipe.

Building a slide means you could optimize its size for your needs…so it can have dual (or more) purpose.

 

Oh No!! Bacon grease on the tire. Good thing some carry traction boards.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

 

What I did when I went overnight fishing with the 4R.

Small folding table
Pop up tent over the whole 4R covering the open tailgate

Good to go for the whole weekend.

 

If you use something as thick as a Luno Mattress, you may find it comfortable enough without a platform.

 

It is from what I read it’s a regional thing and I would have to allocate one used and drill holes

 

Pretty bold to speak negatively about the roll down rear window around here.

Kidding aside, some folks I know have the tire tables and like them.

I use my platform as a table sometimes, but I also carry a small folding table most of the time.

 

That's just wax. HormelAll if you will

 

This looks like my most viable option so far anyone use one of these? Wonder how they hold up for cooking on

 

I have one similar. Was a high school project for kids that needed something to do. It does sit a 'lil low to cook on, but it would work. The bracket that goes around the tire keeps the table plenty sturdy. It shines with a chair and a beer. Perfect height for that. One time I almost drove off with the thing still on the tire.

Take a good look at the picture in post #3 and you can see how low the table sits on the tire.