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Tailgating Tips: How To Tailgate With Your 4x4 Pickup Truck or SUV
Best Pickup Trucks & SUVs for Tailgating

by Jim Walczak
for About.com

The following trucks and SUVs serve as superior tailgate party vehicles, thanks to their large number of unique, tailgate-friendly features:

  • Buick Rendezvous
    With seating for 7, the Rendezvous has an extra roomy interior with lots of passenger and cargo room, and even extra interior storage space thanks to the cleverly designed rear storage system. The Buick Rendezvous also comes with a 6-speaker premium audio system includes a 6-disc in-dash CD player, 2nd row sound controls, and a 3rd row removable seat, and satellite radio. The rear DVD entertainment system features a flip-down 7-in liquid crystal screen, wireless headphones and remote control.
  • Cadillac Escalade
    The Escalade seats up to 8 passengers and comes with a Bose stereo system with an in-dash 6-disc CD changer and 9 speakers, satellite radio, rear sound controls, and a rear seat entertainment system that includes a roof-mounted DVD system with pull-down screen. It has a removable 3rd row seat that folds for extra volume and removes completely for vast cargo volume (especially with the 2nd-row seat folded). The Cadillac Escalade also has a midgate wall between the cab and cargo bed, and removing its rear window allows dropping the midgate to extend the bed from 5.3 ft to 8.1 ft.
  • Chevrolet Avalanche
    With lots of passenger and cargo room and seating for 6, the Avalanche is a full-size pickup truck that also boasts a lot of storage space. It has an open cargo bed that is separated from the cab by a midgate. By lowering the midgate and rear seat you can extend the 5.3-ft cargo box to 8.1 ft. The Chevy Avalanche hauls what most big pickups can, and bulky or long loads can be accommodated by quickly folding down the back seat and midgate. The rear window can also be completely removed. Avalanche also comes with satellite radio, rear DVD entertainment, a hose-out cargo box with a tough plastic liner and lamps that also light its lockable side-rail storage boxes.
  • Chevy Equinox
    The Equinox seats 5, and the sliding rear seat can be moved forward or backward 8 inches to maximize passenger or cargo space. Plus, the front-passenger seatback folds flat to provide room for long objects. The adjustable-height cargo shelf provides many storage options. It even has a rear cargo panel system that adjusts to 3 different positions and includes cargo hooks. This unique cargo panel also doubles as a table when used with the integrated leg. The one-piece rear hatch also provides overhead coverage from the elements. The sound system features satellite radio and an in-dash 6-disc CD changer and 7 speakers for premium sound. And there are 12-volt power outlets in the front, rear, and cargo areas.
  • Dodge Durango
    With 3rd row seating, the Durango SUV will fit up to 7, and the 2nd and 3rd rows drop flat to the floor for additional storage space. Also included: an AM/FM/6-disc in-dash CD/mp3 changer and 8 speakers, a DVD rear entertainment system that also plays CDs and mp3s and has a 7-in screen, and satellite radio. The Durango's "Adventurer" model is aimed at outdoor enthusiasts and includes a rubber cargo-area liner with a built-in cargo organizer and a special roof rack.
  • GMC Envoy
    The Envoy is a 7-passenger SUV with a power sliding rear roof section, a "midgate" (with a power-down glass divider window) that can be dropped with the rear seat to extend the cargo area, and a convenient dual-action swing-open/drop-down tailgate with a power window (most other liftgates with separate-opening glass). The 3rd row of seats can be folded flat to the floor for added passenger and cargo room. The GMC Envoy's cabin also has plenty of small-item storage spaces throughout, plus 12-volt power outlets in the front, rear, and cargo areas.
  • Honda CR-V
    Although the Honda CR-V is a "compact SUV", it provides seating for 5 with plenty of room inside for all your stuff. The interior is great for wider, taller objects or passengers - even with rear seat up. Plus, there's extra storage space under the passenger seat. The seat sections also flip up and fold to extend floor space. The cargo floor inside the CR-V actually lifts out and can be used as a folding picnic table, and a useful waterproof storage bin hides beneath the lift-out rear cargo floor. Outstanding interior storage includes a handy flip-up tray between the front seats, and front- and rear-seat cup holders. The liftgate features a glass window that opens separately. The sound system includes an in-dash 6-disc CD changer and disc autochanger, plus 6 speakers. There are 12-volt power outlets in the front and cargo areas.

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