Got Gate? Points to Consider when Selecting a Tailgating Vehicle

Cool Fall weather brings with it more than crisp leaves and chilly mornings and evenings. It also brings the return of football season, and that means tailgating. While the traditional tailgate party really did involve lowering the back of the family pickup, and letting your legs swing over the edge, today's tailgaters use station wagons, SUVs and minivans. If you're a fan, and looking to buy a tailgate friendly car, here are a few points to consider:

Storage:
While seating is important, you also have to have room to stow food, supplies, and any other gear that you might have to bring with you. You'll want to look at cargo space both with and without the back seats folded flat, and also consider whether or not there are roof racks or optional storage under the floor of the cargo section.

Serving:
What's a tailgate party without lots of munchies? As well as stowing food, you need to pick a vehicle with ample flat space to serve from. Some minivans have folding tables in the rear section, and some SUV's have pop-up or fold-out picnic tables, but if you don't want to go that route, at least consider a vehicle with a broad, flat dashboard.

Seating:
No one wants to sit on the cold, hard, dirty surface of a parking lot or gravel field, so seating is the most crucial element you need to look at when choosing a tailgate vehicle. Consider that full-sized SUVs generally offer seating for five or six adults, while minivans boost that total to seven or eight. If that's a little much for you, at least consider a car with enough seating for your whole family, plus space for folding chairs and standing umbrellas. Worst case scenario? You can spread a blanket across the bed of your pickup truck in a bow to tradition.

The reality is, if you have enough seats, space and flat surfaces, you can maximize your tailgating pleasure, but no matter what you drive, remember to leave the alcohol at home, or select a designated driver, because nothing ruins a happy day more than an accident on the way home.