Tailgating gear/ equipment

As a veteran tailgater of over 20 years, the biggest tip I can give you is to have a checklist of EVERYTHING you will need to take to the game. This includes extremely obvious things like the food and a cooler, as you will be amazed how easy it is to forget something critical when you are scrambling around at the last minute. I'll also throw in a few pics I've taken over the years of people tailgating around us. Nothing unusual in the pics, just thought I'd throw them in.

Anyway, here is my list that I still use to this day. The only thing it doesn't include is drinks, since that was somebody else's job, I was in charge of everything else. I don't leave the house without making sure everything on the list is packed.

Picnic table (where we eat)
Card table (where you put everything else)
Chairs
Cooler
Food
Grill
Grill brush
BBQ sauce
Chimney
Tongs
Charcoal
Lighter
Newspaper (for chimney)
Oven mitts
Paper Towels
Plates
Plastic knives, forks and spoons
Trash bag
Wipes
Salt and pepper
Plastic Cups
Bottle opener
Wood chips or chunks
Thermometer
Dirty towel (for any major spillage)
Basting brush
Tickets to the game!
Portable TV or radio
Binoculars
Cell phone
Wallet (yes, I even have this on the list)

Some pics:

If your going to be standing and cooking or serving you'll really appreciate a folding table with the PVC leg extenders. It's very stable and easy to transport. Really saves the back for those on the tall side.

Start with a big truck with plenty of space.


Make sure your tailgating set up goes up and tears down quickly and takes up the least amount of space possible - leaving more room for grills and coolers.

IF you must use a small grill (Smokey Joe) put it on a table so it is at a workable height.

Then keep everything organized and accessable. We use plastic storage bins to hold all of our stuff. This cooking table folds flat. Bottom shelf flips up, sides fold in, then the table top folds down.

Add some American Football goalposts and you are set.