Hanging cook table

[Osteology]

Have been toying with building a cook/prep table that hangs on the side of my truck for a while now - the mounting points on the Yakima rack were just too tempting. Thought I'd share the end result: 20"x48" 1/2" birch ply with aluminum channel to stiffen it, 1" nylon webbing with recycled strap adjusters from a backpack to adjust height or level the table regardless of the truck's position. Stores neatly in the space in front of my toolbox and sets up in seconds with two carabiners. Have had it out camping once so far and pleased with the result - rock solid with the camp stove cooking 2 gallons of chili for a group :)

 

[Cypress]

I like that. I might have to steal that idea.

 

[MMc]

Cool! How do you keep it from scratching the paint? Have you thought about adding a vinyl edge? I like the stove too. I have a camp partner and it was a bit more pricey.

 

[Osteology]

Cool! How do you keep it from scratching the paint? Have you thought about adding a vinyl edge? I like the stove too. I have a camp partner and it was a bit more pricey.

There is a strip of automotive weather-stripping on the vehicle side of the shelf. But, to address your point in general, the Tacoma TRD Off-road package has black, un-painted wheel flares that extend out further than the painted bed-sides. The table rests against the flares and does not touch the paint.

 

[JNewton99]

Any issues with heat from the stove on the paint and fender flare? Otherwise it looks like a neat idea!

 

[Truckee]

Nice work! I like that you can adjust/level the table even when the vehicle isn't. Perhaps put one of those bubble level gauge on it.

 

[Osteology]

Perhaps put one of those bubble level gauge on it.

Was planning on it but haven't gotten to it yet - currently using the "adjust to level the scrambled egg mixture in the pan" method

 

[Osteology]

Any issues with heat from the stove on the paint and fender flare? Otherwise it looks like a neat idea!

Not that I've noticed - at 20" deep, the center of the burner is about 14" away. Will get the temp at the surface next time I'm out

 

[Virginiawilderness]

Awesome idea! Is it heavy enough not to swing in a hard breeze?

Im def going to try one of these.

 

[GLOCKer]

Not ashamed to admit that I'm going to copy this. It's a great idea and it looks like you executed it really nice!

I ordered everything I need except the stain and the spray polyurethane (blood orange nylon webbing, black carbineer clips, black webbing slides, black cargo anchors, and rubber bumpers for up against my truck). I'm going to make mine fit on top of the ladder of my roof top tent, under the travel cover for the tent (roughly 4' wide by 2' deep?) and finish it in black stain with the blood orange nylon webbing.

 

[ptgarcia]

Very cool idea!

 

[Osteology]

Is it heavy enough not to swing in a hard breeze?

Doesn't move at all - it's weight hold it solidly against the truck. With the stove on it, it's even more solid. If it starts moving in the wind, there are bound to be much bigger problems going on

 

[GLOCKer]

Thank you @Osteology ! I got about 98% done putting my camp kitchen countertop together today. I'm lacking two carabiners to be able to finish hanging my counter top. Once those get in (tomorrow sometime) I'll finish up the straps and get it hung and adjusted! Here is a teaser...

 

[Jim SoG]

What a great idea! I for sure am stealing it.......

 

[GLOCKer]

I'm thrilled with how mine came out!

 

[Osteology]

I'm thrilled with how mine came out!
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Looks great!

 

[AbsoluteAdventure]

I'm thrilled with how mine came out!
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That looks incredible!

 

[CR-Venturer]

This is an awesome idea and I'm thinking of doing something similar myself. I saw someone use a folding plastic bench for this purpose somewhere before, and in looking for that post, I found this one.