How much do you like/enjoy/use the tailgate? (1 Viewer)

[Tex68w]

I am cross posting this thread from the 200-series subform for @Terry B. As an owner of both I am curious to see what the 150-series crowd has to say on the subject. As much as I dislike the barn door on the GX in reality it isn't as much of a detriment as I make it out to be.

@Terry B said:

"I want to build an overlander to go to the bottom of South America. I am almost sold on the LX 570 but also have my eye on a GX 460. I have a lot of uncertainties with both but in this thread, I would like to know if you like the tailgate a bunch or if the swing out back door on the GX would be fine for day to day travel."

 

[Jacket]

I don't mind the swing out back door for daily usage around town, and in fact its better in many ways for accessing the cargo area, especially if you don't have a swing out tire carrier. It's a pain whenever you are parked nose-to-tail with another vehicle, like parallel parking or event parking or ski area parking, and you need to make sure the guy behind you gives you enough room to swing open the door. That said, for any type of camping/adventure/overlanding/vehicle-based travel, the tailgate is extremely important and useful. What immediately comes to mind is - place to sit, food prep station, shelf for setting your beer/cup/gear, place to put your kid/dog/travel mate, standing area for the stuff on the back of your roof rack or general table needs. It's there with little or no setup, which I think is the biggest advantage.

 

[Acrad]

IMO: Adding the table to the rear door greatly increases usability of the design as well.

Rear Door Table - Toyota Prado 150 / Lexus GX 460

Rear Door Table - Toyota Prado 150 / Lexus GX 460

www.kaon.com.au

 

[Tex68w]

IMO: Adding the table to the rear door greatly increases usability of the design as well.

Rear Door Table - Toyota Prado 150 / Lexus GX 460

Rear Door Table - Toyota Prado 150 / Lexus GX 460

www.kaon.com.au

Is it really only held closed by some hair tie bungee material? I feel like that would lose elasticity over time and start to bang around if not get cut by the aluminum. The pics appear to show the supports are using paracord, I would have expected metal wire of some sort. Seems like a good idea that could use some refining.

 

[ChiTown]

I actually prefer the barn door to my 80's split tail gate. I have the Kaon table on my 460 and am mildly impressed with it. I do have my concerns about the paracord and elastic loops but I figure if I have to replace them once every few years it's not a big deal.

 

[Terry B]

I actually prefer the barn door to my 80's split tail gate. I have the Kaon table on my 460 and am mildly impressed with it. I do have my concerns about the paracord and elastic loops but I figure if I have to replace them once every few years it's not a big deal.

Could you elaborate on why you prefer the barn door when camping/outback

I don't mind the swing out back door for daily usage around town, and in fact its better in many ways for accessing the cargo area, especially if you don't have a swing out tire carrier. It's a pain whenever you are parked nose-to-tail with another vehicle, like parallel parking or event parking or ski area parking, and you need to make sure the guy behind you gives you enough room to swing open the door. That said, for any type of camping/adventure/overlanding/vehicle-based travel, the tailgate is extremely important and useful. What immediately comes to mind is - place to sit, food prep station, shelf for setting your beer/cup/gear, place to put your kid/dog/travel mate, standing area for the stuff on the back of your roof rack or general table needs. It's there with little or no setup, which I think is the biggest advantage.

THX - that is saying a lot for the tailgate as all I will be using the 200 for will be vehicle based travel.

 

[Terry B]

I am cross posting this thread from the 200-series subform for @Terry B. As an owner of both I am curious to see what the 150-series crowd has to say on the subject. As much as I dislike the barn door on the GX in reality it isn't as much of a detriment as I make it out to be.

@Terry B said:

"I want to build an overlander to go to the bottom of South America. I am almost sold on the LX 570 but also have my eye on a GX 460. I have a lot of uncertainties with both but in this thread, I would like to know if you like the tailgate a bunch or if the swing out back door on the GX would be fine for day to day travel."

Thanks for cross-posting this for me.

 

[ChiTown]

Could you elaborate on why you prefer the barn door when camping/outback

Loading and unloading the 80 over the flip down gate was a pain and the fridge slide barely made it to the end of the tailgate. The upper tailgate made it impossible to use a Foxwing or equivalent style of 120° awning.

The barn door has it's disadvantages as far as size but if you utilize it with a table and/or storage it's not that bad

 

[Tex68w]

I actually prefer the barn door to my 80's split tail gate. I have the Kaon table on my 460 and am mildly impressed with it. I do have my concerns about the paracord and elastic loops but I figure if I have to replace them once every few years it's not a big deal.

That is my fear after looking at it, a very good idea kind of poorly implemented with half-ass solutions and materials. I am surprised that no one else makes something similar for the GX460!? I might have to get on this.

 

[ChiTown]

That is my fear after looking at it, a very good idea kind of poorly implemented with half-ass solutions and materials. I am surprised that no one else makes something similar for the GX460!? I might have to get on this.

It's $2 worth to replace so I'm not too worried.

 

[Tex68w]

It's $2 worth to replace so I'm not too worried.

Agreed, but $250 for a thin gauge aluminum tray and $3 in hardware for a rather rudimentary design seems a bit steep imho.

 

[Acrad]

Like I said almost 2 years and no concerns of failing... domestic options are even more expensive.

Not aluminum: "Made from easy to clean 316 Stainless steel with an attractive brushed finish."

IMO.. not flimsy at all

IMO... it's one of those things I had no regrets on purchase... I shared shipping cost with another local GX member. Their prices are in AUD as well. I purchased two at same shipping cost and split difference with local.

KAON is looking for a US reseller so prices domestically may soon be cheaper.

 

[Tex68w]

Like I said almost 2 years and no concerns of failing... domestic options are even more expensive.

Not aluminum: "Made from easy to clean 316 Stainless steel with an attractive brushed finish."

IMO.. not flimsy at all

IMO... it's one of those things I had no regrets on purchase... I shared shipping cost with another local GX member. Their prices are in AUD as well. I purchased two at same shipping cost and split difference with local.

KAON is looking for a US reseller so prices domestically may soon be cheaper.

What are those domestic options? I looked at a few companies that I expected to have GX door table options and they didn't. Thanks for the honest reply!

 

[Terry B]

Loading and unloading the 80 over the flip down gate was a pain and the fridge slide barely made it to the end of the tailgate. The upper tailgate made it impossible to use a Foxwing or equivalent style of 120° awning.

The barn door has it's disadvantages as far as size but if you utilize it with a table and/or storage it's not that bad

Loading with a gate open will be less of a problem with 2 drawers on sliders. Plan on putting the fridge in one of the rear doors - having it in the center is easier on the unit where in the back it gets beaten up a bunch more. I have seen plenty of folks who have done these layouts & just saw a video by 4Xoverland with a 270 awning on a 105 series.

 

[ChiTown]

Was it a 105 with the split barn doors? If it wasn't was there awning under the upper hatch or was the hatch resting against the awning?

I have two ARB drawers, one is a roller top that my fridge goes on. It's still a ton easier without having to lean over a dropped tailgate.

 

[Acrad]

I've asked KAON where they stood with a US distributor.

Currency conversion as of 1/5/2020 would put table at ---> $157.67 plus shipping

 

[Tex68w]

I've asked KAON where they stood with a US distributor.

Currency conversion as of 1/5/2020 would put table at ---> $157.67 plus shipping

That's less than 1/3 the price of the Orangeboxx option at its most modest build option pricing. In that scenario I agree that it is a bargain. The international shipping at $160 is where it becomes less appealing and brings the price back up near $400.

 

[Terry B]

Was it a 105 with the split barn doors? If it wasn't was there awning under the upper hatch or was the hatch resting against the awning?

I have two ARB drawers, one is a roller top that my fridge goes on. It's still a ton easier without having to lean over a dropped tailgate.

105 has a tailgate (the Troopy has a barn door) - Awning was a QuickPitch. The upper hatch is fully open and is a few inches below one of the awning support arms. I can see it is easier without a tailgate - but in this business - everything ends up being a compromise. Such a 1st world problem and we are lucky to have all these choices.

 

[nw_fj62]

My son made me a great drop down table for Christmas. Go DIY.
Wood table with aluminum "L" trim surround - crimped wire for table support and held in place with pins. I can take and post some pictures of this approach tomorrow in daylight.

 

[Acrad]

If one purchases one $380.65 AUD = $264/shipped USD as of current date. Frankly any cheaper and I would probably question the quality of the unit myself. .

$264 USD is the to-your-door price.

Remember all totals on KAON site are in AUD and not USD. Make sure you use a credit card that doesn't charge international currency fees and sign up for further 5% off.

*** Stainless steel domestic Orange box is $150 more with total pushing close to $600.