Gear Up For Playoff & Bowl Season With These Perfect Tailgating Tips
As football enters its most intense season and basketball gears up, pre-gaming and tailgating (both indoor and outdoor) is as popular ever. But, with the temperature dropping and crowds growing, seamless plans and strategies must be put into place.
The two most important elements of good tailgate preparation are the food and the vehicle. A small car that barely fits a six-pack isn't very helpful, while newer & larger SUV's allow you to bring along coolers, games, grills, furniture and more. We got a recent peak at GMC's 2018 line up and their Canyon Denali comes with two-tier loading that effectively splits the bed into upper and lower sections, making it easier to haul, store and conceal all your game-day items. Meanwhile, fold-down second and third rows – like that in their 2018 Yukon Denali, enhance cargo capability and even provide ample space for little tailgaters to sit inside and watch the action through an open trunk, should they get cold.
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As for the food, skip (or add to) the boring menu of hot dogs and chips, and go for something like winter seafood – stone crabs, shrimp cocktail, or a raw oyster platter will have guests licking their fingers (literally), while still leaving room for the more 'meaty' items to come. A cheese plate is always a beautiful and easy way to offer something a touch beyond melted nacho 'gunk. Or check out our recipe for a sous vide make-ahead steak sandwich if you really want to impress your fellow fans.
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Technology needs are also highly important while tailgating – between watching highlights, viewing the pre-game, listening to stats, or charging devices before heading in (or if you choose not to head in at all). Tech is now a crucial part of the overall experience. Looks for cars that offer 4G and Wi-Fi hot spots (the aforementioned vehicles offer both), and elements like AppleCar Play or Android Auto to make this process as easy as possible and to add music to your ambience. USB ports also need to be maximized for charging throughout the tailgate – newer vehicles have four or more built-in, while the Denali offers a 110-volt three-prong outlet, to support many electronic devices.