How To Tailgate Like A Pro With These 5 Tailgate Tips

People enjoying a backyard tailgate party powered by U-Haul propane.

For football fans, there’s no better way to enjoy the big game than a well-planned tailgate party. From great food and refreshing drinks to fun and games with friends and family, there’s a lot to like about your typical game day tailgate experience. But if you’re new to hosting a tailgate party, you may be wondering what you need to make it a great one.

To help you avoid a false start on Sunday, we’ve put together this guide to help beginner and veteran tailgaters alike make sure they have all the tailgate essentials recommended by the experts well before kickoff. Here are five tips to help you tailgate like a pro this football season.

1. Stock Up On Tailgate Essentials

A proper football tailgate party requires more than just a pickup truck and a parking lot. There are various grilling accessories and additional tailgate supplies out there that will take your tailgate experience to the next level. But it all starts with the right grill.

We recommend a propane grill over charcoal when it comes to tailgating. The reason being, clean-burning propane is more convenient, safe, and less polluting than charcoal. With propane, you set up your grill and start cooking in minutes rather than waiting hours for your coals to heat up. And when you’re finished, turn off your grill and propane tank, and that’s it; there are no hot coals to discard or smoky odors that attach to your clothing and linger for hours afterward.

More recommended tailgate must-haves:

Propane Refill

Ensuring your propane tanks have enough juice for at least several hours of use is priority number one for any tailgater. It can be easy to forget to refill your cylinders when you’re planning a large get-together. If you’re unsure about your remaining propane level, use this guide to help recognize when to refill your propane tank. If it’s been a long time since you’ve had to refuel, brush up on these recommended steps to refill your propane tank before doing so.

It is also an excellent time to check your propane tank and hose for leaks. Apply some soapy water to the tube and watch for visible bubbling with the valve open. Bubbling and rotten odors are indicative of a propane leak. If you notice these traits, don’t use this tank. Please bring it to a U-Haul center and replace it.  

Find Propane Refill Locations

Are you looking for an affordable propane refill near you? U-Haul has thousands of propane refill stations across North America ready to service your tanks. Find a propane refill station near you today.

2. Include Other Activities in Your Tailgate Setup

Let’s face it. Not all tailgate partygoers are there for football. Many people attend tailgate parties for the food and atmosphere. With that in mind, consider setting up some extra activities. Popular tailgate party ideas include cornhole, handing out football bingo cards, and touch football. If all else fails, plenty of comfortable seating and refreshments will keep just about anyone content.

3. Invest in a Tailgate Heater (If Necessary)

Depending on what part of the country you’re cheering from, tailgating can be chilly. Although you can’t control the weather, you can play defense against low winter temperatures by investing in a portable space heater or propane fire ring for your tailgate party. Portable heaters vary in size and output level, so you’re sure to find the right heater for your needs. Using a space heater fueled by propane is convenient and practical, making it a must-have for even the most frigid of football conditions.

4. Brush Up On Propane Grill and Tailgate Safety

It’s never a bad idea to brush up on propane grill safety best practices. For starters, check out these ten propane grill safety tips for some refreshers on basic grilling etiquette, as well as what to do in a propane grill emergency. Although propane grilling and using propane gas are incredibly safe, we recommend all propane users stay up to date on propane safety tips and best practices.  

5. Transporting Propane Tanks and Accessories

Hauling your propane tanks to and from your local propane refill station is one thing. Transporting your grill, coolers, and other tailgate supplies to your tailgate destination is a separate challenge, especially if you don’t have the right-sized vehicle. In those instances, a U-Haul trailer rental is an affordable alternative for transporting your tailgate accessories conveniently. 

U-Haul Trailer Rentals

A utility trailer is perfect for hauling tailgate essentials to wherever you’re enjoying the big game, especially if you’re bringing a large or oddly-shaped grill along with you. The 6’ x 12’ utility trailer in particular has a ramp that makes loading a grill or cooler on wheels quick and easy. All utility trailers pair well with any vehicle with a tow package and meet U-Haul’s towing requirements.

How to Transport Propane Tanks Safely

You have plenty of options when it comes to transporting your propane tanks. But before you make the trip to refuel your cylinders, be sure to review how to transport propane tanks safely. Our guide will provide essential tips on hauling and storing propane cylinders, including transporting propane using various vehicles and best practices for safe propane tank usage.

Tailgate Like a Pro With U-Haul

No matter which team you root for, U-Haul has your back when it comes to tailgating like a pro. Whether you’re looking for propane, grilling supplies and propane accessories, or propane grill hauling options, U-Haul has affordable resources to help you get the job done.

 

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