Protecting your Rear Hatch Kitchen

[carbon60]

Those of you that have nicely integrated kitchen setups at the rear of your truck, likely with a hath and tailgate, how do you keep the weather off this area?

As part of my crusade for speedy food prep, I would like a slide-out kitchen setup. But my LC80's hatch does not provide sufficient protection for cooking in the rain. So something additional is required.

Thanks for your opinions and photos!

A.

 

[t4runner]

A rear awning

 

[Martinjmpr]

For a simple, cheap solution you can get a "pop up" canopy that goes up in about 2 minutes. Stake it to the ground in case of wind and you're good to go.

 

[acg]

A 1.25 meter awning worked great for my Disco.

 

[dwh]

Hungry companion with umbrella?

I know...but it had to be said.

 

[carbon60]

Rear awning would work, for sure. It's a little slower to deploy and stow than I would like, but maybe I'm being too picky.

Thanks.

 

[4x4junkie]

Canvas or plastic tarp and some spring clamps around the hatch works for me (also blocks some of the wind too, though i do have to hang weights from the bottom to reduce it blowing around if the wind is real strong).

 

[rayra]

See the links in my sig. Easy to make and stake a custom awning of your own construction. Erection is 5mins tops. If you think you'll be cooking your food faster than that, you're really weird.

My only other answer is 'get a vehicle with a Liftgate'. There isn't anything faster than that.

 

[Switch]

Those of you that have nicely integrated kitchen setups at the rear of your truck, likely with a hath and tailgate, how do you keep the weather off this area?

As part of my crusade for speedy food prep, I would like a slide-out kitchen setup. But my LC80's hatch does not provide sufficient protection for cooking in the rain. So something additional is required.

Thanks for your opinions and photos!

A.

I built a canopy using EMT conduit and a polyvinyl tarp.
This post mostly shows the side tarp. But the back tarp followed the same design.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/38439-Post-your-Camp-Awnings?p=1477393#post1477393

 

[cerutti]

Im running a Foxwing awning.

I also keep one extension piece that I can use to expand my prep area or block the wind.

 

[carbon60]

Im running a Foxwing awning.

I think that is probably a great solution.

Still, I don't feel it for stopping on the roadside for coffee.

I also like the idea of a simple extension from the hatch itself, just to make it a tough longer, and maybe wrap down on the sides.

 

[mapper]

A 1.25 meter awning worked great for my Disco.

I know this goes back a bit but....whoa...information on that bike rack setup??!! What is going on there?

Aside from trail dirt the main thing keeping from using a hitch rack like that is that I hate how it is in the way of rear access

 

[Scoutn79]

While this isn't elegant by any means it was made out of stuff laying around the shop so cost was low. The one thing I don't like about typical awnings is there is no side protection for cool breezes or rain coming down at an angle. I could flair out the sides more if I have something to tie the grommets to. Not pretty but functional. The cantilever design, used when I am by myself, is nice because there are no poles in the way and I can move the truck without having to deal with the awning. We use a larger tarp for the two trucks now so we get more side protection. Still a dedicated awning would be nice but I don't use a roof rack very often so there isn't always something to mount it to.



Darrell

 

[snare]

Yep, rear awning.

 

[acg]

I know this goes back a bit but....whoa...information on that bike rack setup??!! What is going on there?

Aside from trail dirt the main thing keeping from using a hitch rack like that is that I hate how it is in the way of rear access

It is a Thule T2 with a hitch bar extension (to move it father back to allow the rear door to open). The Thule hitch is convenient, but only if I am not doing severe off-roading, i.e., impact on rear departure angle. The only reason why I do not use this all the time is the T2 hitch-mount rack offers better lock security options and is lower off the round, especially when hauling the family around for the leisure weekend bike rides.

I switch to a different rear tire mounted bike carrier set-up for severe off-roading trips (see pic), i.e., better departure angle and away from trail dirt.