Tailgate season is almost upon us. That means grilling and lots of it! In order to grill though, you’ll first need to figure out how to get your grill to the tailgate. I’ll explain how to transport your grill no matter what kind of vehicle you have. I will also mention a few things you should consider whenever transporting a grill, as well as two of the best grills (in my opinion) for tailgating. These two grills are ideal for tailgating because of the portability and ease to use.
Things to Consider
The first thing you will want to consider is: What type of grill are you transporting? This is important because there are a few different things to consider with each grill type. We’ll discuss the two main grill types you would likely bring to a tailgate.
If you are going to be transporting a propane grill, make sure the propane source is disconnected! This is especially important for a full-size grill. You want to make sure it is completely shut off and packed away tightly so it can not move. If you are going to be tailgating you will likely be using a smaller propane tank anyways. It might be easier for you to just bring a new propane tank that is still in the packaging because the smaller tanks are only good for about one use. If you want some more information on propane tanks for portable grills, check out our article on How Long Propane Tanks Last For A Portable Grill.
If you’re going to be transporting a charcoal grill, the biggest consideration will be in transporting it back after the tailgate. Before putting the grill back into your vehicle, be sure that the charcoals have cooled off. I would plan ahead to make sure your grill has had enough time to fully cool off so you can safely transport it back.
Another thing to consider is: Can your grill be disassembled and then reassembled? A lot of grills are bought with assembly required, especially smaller grills. For example, some grills have legs that can easily be removed and then screwed back in. If this is the case, it might make sense for you to dissemble part of the grill so it fits easier in your vehicle. Just be sure to bring a screwdriver with you so you can reassemble once you arrive at the tailgate.
How To Transport Your Grill in a Car
Don’t worry if you are transporting your grill in a car. We can make it work. The best grill to transport in a car would be a portable propane grill. This will be the easiest to secure, and they are usually easy to reassemble. The first thing you will want to do is make sure that the grill is completely cooled off and safe to transport. Never put the grill in your car right after use. Also, make sure the propane tank has been removed if you have not already done so.
For grills with wheels, I would remove the wheels and legs so you can lay those down flat either in the back seat or the trunk. Remove all other parts and pack them separately. This will make securing the grill a lot easier. If you want to protect your grill from scratches, you can use packing tape. You don’t have to wrap it. However, if you spent a lot of money on your grill, you may want to protect it.
Make sure that you keep your grill’s lid closed while moving it. If small enough, you can wrap it and fit in on the floor of your car. This is a great option because there is nowhere for it to move. If that is not an option, you could also put it in your trunk. If you are going to put it in your trunk, make sure that it will stay in place while you are driving.
Don’t forget about the propane tanks! Again, it is best to bring new tanks that are still in the packaging. Make sure that they are not near anything that could damage them. Put them in a place where they won’t roll around and get damaged.
How to Transport Your Grill in a Truck
Transporting your grill in a truck is going to the be the easiest way to do this. Truck beds are ideal for transporting a grill. Truckbeds make it easy to transport your grill because there is plenty of space. All you really need if you have a truck is something to tie down the grill with. This could be anything you have really. Tie straps, rope, and bungee cords will all do the trick.
You can just lay down the grill on the bed of your truck and tie it down and you should be good to go. Again, just be sure you are being safe and smart. To hammer the point home, make sure that your propane tank has been disconnected. Also make sure that it is stored in a place where it can’t be damaged by anything else.
If you are going to use your truckbed, you may want to protect your grill from scratches. You can use something like a moving blanket and place that along the bed of your truck. This will create a layer of protection between the bed of your truck and the grill.
Easiest Grills to Transport
If you are considering getting a grill, you may want to consider one that is easy to transport. This is helpful if you’re going to be doing a lot of tailgating or grilling on the go. I will also give you an option for a propane grill and charcoal grill.
Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill
The Weber Q2200 is one of the highest-rated tailgating grills. This one of the highest quality portable grills you will find. The price tag is a little more than comparable grills, but it may be worth if you’re to get good use out of it. It has a 4.5 star rating on Amazon and great reviews from others.
This grill is also easy to transport because of its compact size. Dimensions are 15.5″H x 51.4″W x 19.5″D, making it easy to fit in almost any size vehicle. It has a decently sized cooking area at 280 square inches so you’ll be able to grill for a crowd.
The Weber Q2200 uses disposable propane tanks for ease of transportation. What is good about this grill is that you can also use it as your at-home grill. You can get a propane tank hose adapter to connect to a larger propane tank so you don’t have to keep buying disposable tanks. You can also buy a portable cart with wheels for your grill. This will make it easier to grill on because you won’t have to place it on a table.
With its compact size and ease of use, the Weber Q2200 is ideal for tailgating. If you are looking for a good propane grill that you can bring with you almost anywhere, check out the Weber Q2200.
Weber Jumbo Joe 18 Inch Charcoal Grill
If you are looking for a good portable grill, check out the Weber Jumbo Joe 18 Inch Charcoal Grill (link to Amazon). This is a grill made for grilling on the go. Its size makes it easy to transport in any vehicle. It also comes with a Tuck-N-Carry lid lock that makes it really easy to carry. The lid lock also allows you lock the lid when not in use. This allows you to safely transport the grill in your vehicle without worrying about the lid coming off. Still, don’t forget to empty the briquettes before transporting!
The grill can hold up to 8 burgers at once so you can easily grill for a crowd. It is perfect for making all the staples of a good tailgate. The dampers also make it easy to control the temperature so you don’t burn your food. The Jumbo Joe is one of the highest quality portable charcoal grills out there.
The Jumbo Joe is rated 4.5 stars on Amazon because of its ease of use, quality and portability. It is also competitively priced compared to similar grills. The Jumbo Joe is one of the best charcoal grills for any tailgate. If you are looking for a good charcoal grill, take a look at the Jumbo Joe.
Wrap Up
If you are figuring out how to transport your grill, just remember — safety first. Don’t leave a propane tank connected and dump out any briquettes before putting the grill in your car. Also be sure to give your grill time to cool before packing it up. If you want to avoid any damage to your grill, you may want to consider wrapping it a protective material. Hopefully this gave you some ideas when it comes to transporting your grill. If you found this article helpful, be sure to check the grilling section of our site!