---
title: "What’s the Best Tailgating Vehicle for Fall?"
description: "Cooler temperatures (and football) are coming, so what’s your pick for a parking lot party rig?"
date: "2021-09-04"
modified: "2021-09-04"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin V. Shaw"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kristin-shaw"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/42259/whats-the-best-tailgating-vehicle-for-fall"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "News"
  - "QOTD"
---

# What’s the Best Tailgating Vehicle for Fall?

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2021/09/Tailgate-HERO.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

When I was [growing up in northern Indiana](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/41490/why-you-should-skip-the-flight-and-road-trip-with-your-kids>), the University of Notre Dame was just two towns over. My friend Ann and her family had season tickets and a big RV, and I had the good fortune to be invited along for plenty of pregame tailgate parties. The Fightin' Irish games are epic fun, and I didn't think anything could match that until I moved to Texas; the University of Texas Longhorns put on a raucous good time, and its rival Aggies of Texas A&M rock the stadium before, during, and after the games.

You don't have to have an RV for a memorable tailgate gathering, [although you could rent one from places like RVshare](<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjaw_Sm0-TyAhVFop4KHRb4AA0QFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fnews%2F33452%2Frv-rentals-up-650-percent-as-americans-plan-socially-distant-summer-vacations&usg=AOvVaw0GeLOvH_qS9vchmO1OxgoP>). All kinds of vehicles qualify for fall partying, and some of them include built-in coolers, multifunction tailgates that serve as steps and seats, and power outlets for TVs and coffee makers. [If a Ford F-150 can power up a whole house](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/40695/the-electric-ford-f-150-can-power-your-entire-house-for-three-days-on-a-single-charge>), providing the juice for a Saturday get-together before a football game is a cakewalk. Get your fried chicken and deviled eggs and frosty beverages on, because fall sports are in full swing. Which vehicle is your pick?

![message-editor%2F1630733500758-2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1630733500758-2.jpg>)
**Kristin Shaw**

[Honda’s new Ridgeline](<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwik8fDF0-TyAhUU3p4KHSlDDg0QFnoECAQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fnew-cars%2F41120%2F2021-honda-ridgeline-review&usg=AOvVaw0CIsfHzwcbYFlCxRxwsbp_>) has a lockable storage bin in the bed that holds 7.3 cubic feet of ice and beverages and includes a drain plug. The tailgate swings down or out, which gives you some configuration options, and you can set it up with in-bed speakers and power outlets. [The RamBox](<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj3-r3P0-TyAhUGrp4KHY5fCA0QFnoECAMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Finvestor.cars.com%2Fnews%2Fnews-releases%2Fnews-details%2F2020%2FCarscom-Reveals-the-5-Best-Cars-to-Take-to-the-Drive-In-This-Summer%2Fdefault.aspx&usg=AOvVaw1TYmm4wVUPCwXsdnTqS8AP>) is a longtime feature on Ram trucks with a similar setup (drain plugs in an insulated bin) but it’s accessible from the outside, which means you can load up the whole bed and not have a problem grabbing a cold one from the icebox. Plus the tailgate can hold up to 2,000 pounds so that’s you, a few friends, and all the wings you can eat.

On the [Toyota Tacoma](<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiln9Pd0-TyAhVVsZ4KHV-wBw0QFnoECA0QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fnews%2F40884%2F2022-toyota-tacoma-trd-pro-and-trail-edition-more-lift-more-colors-and-even-better-off-road-specs&usg=AOvVaw3zg6iZiiXnFTmNJvNl7_Ay>), a drivers-side storage box is insulated and transforms into a cooler with a few bags of ice. Add a 120-volt outlet in the bed and you’re ready to hook up a TV. I don't know what features the [new Tundra](<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiaz5Pr0-TyAhVGgp4KHWa5Cw0QFnoECAIQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fnews%2F41176%2Fthe-2022-toyota-tundra-trd-pro-is-official-with-much-more-aggressive-looks&usg=AOvVaw0Q-B7GMiJS-hluFNAfTHw_>) will bring to the party, but we'll find out soon.

![message-editor%2F1630734828662-3.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1630734828662-3.jpg>)
*Kristin Shaw*

![message-editor%2F1630734840411-4.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1630734840411-4.jpg>)
*Hyundai*

![message-editor%2F1630735009796-broncoaccessoriesinline1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1630735009796-broncoaccessoriesinline1.jpg>)
*Kristin Shaw*

Meanwhile, hear me out on this: Toyota's Sienna may not have a truck tailgate, but it works. [The new minivan design is much more SUV-like in the front](<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiCkIz20-TyAhWBs54KHW1dCgsQFnoECAUQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fnew-cars%2F38851%2Fwhat-do-you-want-to-know-about-the-2021-toyota-sienna&usg=AOvVaw3-Ia0wBroDs8Sby9ehPPkP>), and it comes with seven USB ports plus the third row stashes flat. Over the summer, my sister and I pack the card table, a few stadium chairs, and a picnic, and we use the back of her Honda Odyssey as our storage and seating at the lake. Who cares that it's a minivan? We do not.

I've already told you all about the tailgating accessories you can get for the new Ford Bronco, and Jeep offers a whole catalog of items too. I want to know how you set up your outdoor parties in your vehicle, so tell us in the comments about your rig or your ultimate setup; bonus points for sharing creative ideas.

Note that I'm calling penalties if you slam Notre Dame in the comments. Old loyalties die hard.

*Got a tip? Send the writer a note: kristin.shaw@thedrive.com*

## Author
Kristin Shaw is the former Weekend Editor for The Drive and a current freelancer in both the automotive and aviation worlds. She’s a big fan of anything car-related and calls on her technology background on the corporate side to explain engineering and high-tech concepts. Now living in her sixth state (New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, and now Texas), she is thrilled that working from home is now mainstream.

### Author social links  
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