Floating tailgate kitchen idea

[mattrad]

Hi all. I'm mulling what to do with my van and one idea I've come up with is a removable shelf under the tailgate for cooking etc. I'd really appreciate some ideas on how I could make something like in the (terrible!) mockup below. My initial thought was to use some sort of latch secured to each inside of the van, plus a folding leg or two. Aside from cutting the plywood, I don't really know what I'd need to make this work! Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[Green Giant]

Would it work if the table top was pointing out from the tailgate, instead of across the width of tailgate, then depending how wide the table is, you could access the rear of van from the side of table, and sit either side?
Or if the table needs to be high up, so you can use it while sitting in the rear, could you mount a lagoon style table leg and top to the tow ball, somehow..
Maybe adapt a cheap bike rack, face it into the van.

 

[manfrotto]

This may give you some inspiration...

DIY build guide for a slimline, lightweight, slide out kitchen. - Geordie Jimny Blog

This little kitchen has eaten months of my life… in a good way. Dozens of prototypes, far too many mistakes, late nights in CAD, and a whole lot of head-scratching went into making it work in a Jimny. I did seriously consider turning it into a full Out There Equipped product, but the reality is

geordiejimny.com

 

[mattrad]

Both suggestions are great, thank you! I also found this, which I thought was very clever:

The Car Bar - Portable Boot Mounted Camping Table for Cars, 4x4s, Vans

The original Car Bar! The unique folding camping table that connects to your boot (trunk) latch! Fits cars, 4x4s and vans. Ditch those burly camping tables and fiddly chairs for those quick pit stops and trips! Embrace the ease of The Car Bar, designed to be as quick and easy as possible to set...

nowherefastgear.com

 

[DXX]

Powerful rubber coated magnetic hooks, chains and suspend below the tailgate.
If magnetic hooks aren’t strong enough use small eyebolts.
I’m guessing you have considered a table with adjustable legs instead of re-inventing the wheel?

 

[mattrad]

Thanks, I had thought of suspending it as well.

I am also thinking now that what I actually need is… a table. That would mean I don’t get to spend time working on another 100% useful thing for the van though

 

[Bigsidavies]

I have one of the angled table legs and a bracket fitted both at the front door b pillar and the rear pillar. I can then put the leg and table whichever location I want.
We have a u shaped layou t so it’s easy for the wife to prep stuff on the inside centre table and then just pass stuff out.

 

[mattrad]

That's interesting @Bigsidavies - just about the right size. Would you mind showing how the table attaches?

 

[Bigsidavies]

Yeah. Give me 10 minutes and I’ll pop out and take some pics.

Edit ; got distracted and ended up doing something else. I'll add pics later today.

 

[Bigsidavies]

@mattrad hope these pictures explain things.
The first pic shows the leg in its original/storage position with the bracket.
I have a duplicate bracket in the rear of the van as shown in the pics and I just take the leg to the back of the van. You can see the table top stored in the rear of the van showing the table bracket that the leg slides into. As this allows the leg to rotate it means you can always level the table top.
Hope that makes sense.
Sorry for the delay I’ve been in bed for the last 3 days with a bad viral infection.

 

[Bigsidavies]

The leg in question that I use is the ‘cranked leg ‘ and extra bracket.
Example in this link

Cranked Aluminium Table Leg

Cranked Aluminium Table Leg. This modern design makes it ideal for any VW T5 or T6 or any other camper conversion.

www.vanwurks.co.uk

 

[mattrad]

Much appreciated and get well soon @Bigsidavies