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Tailgaters are sports fans, of course, but more and more of the folks you see setting up parking lot parties are car fans, too. They?re taking their cars and trucks (mostly trucks, of course) and tricking them out into mobile living rooms and sports bars. From the NFL to NASCAR, drag strips to off road campgrounds, these tricked out trucks are showing off creativity and technology like never before.
So, I thought I?d begin a series of columns highlighting some of the better tailgating vehicles I?ve seen and that readers have told me about. Some cost thousands of dollars for professionals to customize, others just cost hours of time to rig-up in the driveway. Either way these are some great vehicles.
To kick-off the series let?s talk about Carnivore.
First, you just gotta love the name.
If you keep up with The Ultimate Tailgater?s Blog then you probably read a little about this truck in my post about the Tailgate-Picnic Trade Show. But that blurb didn?t do it justice.
This truly is a sports bar on wheels. Steve Glor, who customized his truck into Carnivore to show off his company?s Freedom Grills, spent a year working with a slew of companies to turn his 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4x4 Crew Cab into what he calls ?the last word in tailgating vehicles.?
The first thing you notice, of course, is the paint job. The flames and barbecue shadows are designed to ?bring out the heat.? The light bar and other external features are eye catching, too, but what draws a crowd is when Steve punches a few buttons and the 4x4 becomes a kitchen, sports bar, and entertainment center all in one.
That button-pushing causes the tonneau cover to rise up, the bed-sides fold down, and wood counter tops come out to provide a bar around the back for hanging out and watching the flat panel TVs. (There are seven screens on the truck when you add them all up.)
The audio system will rock even the tailgate parties around you, and with the Freedom Grill and other appliances Carnivore provides a portable kitchen and bar that will be the envy of the parking lot. There?s even a ?Grill Cam? so those in the truck?s cab can see what?s going on around the grill in back.
If you want details on all of the modifications and who did what to the truck,check out the Freedom Grill Carnivore modifications.
Stephen Linn is the author of The Ultimate Tailgater books and shows which are the ultimate how-to resources for tailgaters who want to throw the best party in the parking lot. His newest book, The Ultimate Tailgater?s Racing Guide, has tips, recipes, and nearly 300 track guides for racing tailgaters. For videos, podcasts, recipes, and to learn more visit www.theultimatetailgater.com.
Mobile Party Machine Tailgaters are sports fans, of course, but more and more of the folks you see setting up parking lot parties are car fans, too. They?re taking their cars and trucks (mostly trucks, of course) and tricking them out into mobile living rooms and sports bars. From the NFL to NASCAR, drag strips to off road campgrounds, these tricked out trucks are showing off creativity and technology like never before.
So, I thought I?d begin a series of columns highlighting some of the better tailgating vehicles I?ve seen and that readers have told me about. Some cost thousands of dollars for professionals to customize, others just cost hours of time to rig-up in the driveway. Either way these are some great vehicles.
To kick-off the series let?s talk about Carnivore.
First, you just gotta love the name.
If you keep up with The Ultimate Tailgater?s Blog then you probably read a little about this truck in my post about the Tailgate-Picnic Trade Show. But that blurb didn?t do it justice.
This truly is a sports bar on wheels. Steve Glor, who customized his truck into Carnivore to show off his company?s Freedom Grills, spent a year working with a slew of companies to turn his 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4x4 Crew Cab into what he calls ?the last word in tailgating vehicles.?
The first thing you notice, of course, is the paint job. The flames and barbecue shadows are designed to ?bring out the heat.? The light bar and other external features are eye catching, too, but what draws a crowd is when Steve punches a few buttons and the 4x4 becomes a kitchen, sports bar, and entertainment center all in one.
That button-pushing causes the tonneau cover to rise up, the bed-sides fold down, and wood counter tops come out to provide a bar around the back for hanging out and watching the flat panel TVs. (There are seven screens on the truck when you add them all up.)
The audio system will rock even the tailgate parties around you, and with the Freedom Grill and other appliances Carnivore provides a portable kitchen and bar that will be the envy of the parking lot. There?s even a ?Grill Cam? so those in the truck?s cab can see what?s going on around the grill in back.
If you want details on all of the modifications and who did what to the truck,check out the Freedom Grill Carnivore modifications.
Stephen Linn is the author of The Ultimate Tailgater books and shows which are the ultimate how-to resources for tailgaters who want to throw the best party in the parking lot. His newest book, The Ultimate Tailgater?s Racing Guide, has tips, recipes, and nearly 300 track guides for racing tailgaters. For videos, podcasts, recipes, and to learn more visit www.theultimatetailgater.com.
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