New Product Interest: BBQ in Tailgate??

Hey TacomaWorld!

Last year, a couple of buddies and I thought it would be cool to build a propane grill into the tailgate of my 2nd Gen Tacoma. Shortly after, we had a fully flush BBQ integrated into the tailgate. After a year of testing and a lot of positive feedback at football games and concerts, we are thinking about starting a company around the product.

A LITTLE about the product:
The grill is installed flush with the tailgate, and the grill grate top takes up roughly one third of the tailgate width (far left side). The grill runs off a camping size propane tank. Installation requires cutting out a portion of the black tailgate/bed liner on the tailgate.

Of all places, I felt like TacomaWorld forums would be the perfect place to gauge interest in the product. If you have an opinion, give us some feedback on these subjects:

1)Are you interested in the product?

2)Which would you prefer? (a) install the grill into your tailgate yourself, (b) have a local auto-shop install the grill into your tailgate, (c) buy the entire tailgate with grill pre-installed.

3)How much would you be willing to pay for: (a) the grill installed into your tailgate yourself, (b) the grill installed by local auto-shop, (c) an entire tailgate with the grill pre-installed.

Any other comments are welcome. Thanks for the help everyone, hope to serve you guys one day in the future!

-Paul

EDIT:
Here is a picture from the first iteration. Second iteration is in the works with multiple improvements!

 

One that hangs off the front brush guard would be sweet. I think your idea could work.

 

That is a great idea, but I'd be concerned with debris and functionality of the tailgate.

If you could design it to be fully contained (besides the gas source) and still allow the tailgate to sustain a full load (I use it for loading a lot and it gets bashed) I'd purchase it in a heartbeat.

I'd prefer to install it myself to keep cost down, but having a local fab shop do the work is also a good option. I'd be willing to pay $150-250 for a kit honestly depending on size and reliability. I'd be turned away if I had to buy a whole new tailgate, but I do know a lot of people would prefer having that option so I'd keep options open as far as kit vs complete.

I'd really like to have a product like this on my 91 pickup, even if it meant redoing the latch mechanism. How thin would you be able to make the grill?

 

Thanks for the quick feedback!

The designed prototype as of now is fully contained within the inside of the tailgate, besides the external/removable propane tank. There is no "hood", so the grill grate is exposed and bolted down, which can withstand more load than the tailgate. We wanted to make sure that you could still use your tailgate to the fullest extent!

The actual cooking insert is around 3" deep, we could possibly make it thinner. The end goal is to have it work with all trucks/models, but we thought to start with our favorite trucks first!

 

We thought about doing the front of the car, but we figured the rear was easiest for tailgating! Plus with the tailgate we can make the internals completely hidden.

I like the idea though!

 

I don't really understand the need. So when your not tailgating, you have an exposed grill? I'd rather keep my grill in my action packer and use it when I need it.

 

The idea is to always have a BBQ with you, for daily use or spontaneous need! But we understand that its not for everyone, we hope to gauge interest on here before we move forward!

 

Pics

 

Please

 

I think seeing a rendering would be more beneficial. Personally, I am more into a slide out from under my fridge for Overlanding.


YEAHJ. What OZ said.

 

I personally wouldn't pay much more for a tailgate integrated grill than any other Coleman or camp style propane grill, or any other compact grill. I just don't think the uniqueness of the idea outweighs the cost to me. And I feel like buying a full complete tailgate + grill package is going to run up the $$$ signs. Neat idea though.

And I'm just one guy giving my opinion im sure plenty others would have interest in it.

 

I think you should think about doing a replacement tailgate set up with a grill , cutting board area and maybe a sink

Drop it on the truck when you're going camping etc , run your regular gate the rest of the time

Just my thoughts

 

What OZ said. I would go for the drop in tail gate with more features. Tailor one towards camping and one towards tailgating.

 

Your wish is my command...

Added a pic to the first post

 

I like this... Are you thinking like a non-paint-matched, bare bones tailgate to swap out specifically for camping/tailgating?

The main goal for our initial project was to make the BBQ there when you need it, but something you can ignore when you don't. Would it be more desirable to have one for each duty?

Thanks again for the feedback guys, this is what our team needed

 

Exactly , probably aluminum , just needs to match up how the stock tailgate pivots work and how the gate clasps to the truck , basically a 4" deep aluminum box

put an area for a grill on one side , shallow sink or cutting board or combo on the other side

 

Swiss army tailgate.

 

I have been looking at making my tailgate into a cutting board / kitchen since I saw the hill fishing edition along time ago.

also this

http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/fj45lv-tailgate-lid.276128/

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