Hooke Road Tailgate Table Install & Review

Jeep Gladiator JT Flat Tailgate Cover

Scroll to the bottom to watch the install video.

If you're new here, I'm Tony Maples, a fine art landscape photographer and workshop instructor. I spend a lot of time in the backcountry leading adventure-based photography workshops across the U.S., chasing my own images in remote deserts, mountains, and night skies, and working out of the back of my Jeep Gladiator.

Which means I spend a looot of time at my tailgate.

Editing photos.
Prepping meals.
Laying out camera gear.
Charging batteries.
Writing blog posts.
Teaching students.

And I quickly realized something frustrating. The Gladiator tailgate is incredibly useful space… that you can’t really use. 

The factory inner tailgate panel is ribbed and contoured. It looks fine. It’s durable. But it’s not flat. You can’t comfortably prep food on it. You can’t confidently set down a laptop. Camera lenses roll around. Tripod plates wobble. Coffee cups tip (I prefer Celsius) and it's just not as useful as I'd like.

In my Hummer I built a pull out table from the back I used ALL the time, and that concept is what I wanted here - a flat useful area at the back of the Jeep. 

That slide out table in the Hummer got a ton of use on these trips

That’s when I started hunting for a tailgate table.

There are some fantastic options out there:
• Models with cup holders and softer surfaces
• High-end setups with integrated storage underneath

But most of those options are expensive, and to be honest, most of my Gladiator build has already been very expensive! I love my Smartcap setup and everything else but I'm close to "should have bought a dedicated overland vehicle" territory. 

So I decided to try something different, a simple, budget-friendly modification that solved one problem: make the tailgate flat!

That led me to the Hooke Road Tailgate Panel. At this point I’ve now had this installed on my Gladiator for over a year, and tt has held up incredibly well.

I don’t baby it. I don’t worry about scratching it. I’ve cut food on it, stacked camera bodies on it, leaned on it, sat on it, and used it constantly in the field.

For the money, I’ve been extremely happy with it!

Below is the full breakdown — what it is, how to install it, and whether it’s actually worth it.

What Is the Hooke Road Tailgate Panel?

The Hooke Road Flat Tailgate Cover (tap here to find it on Amazon) is designed specifically for the Jeep Gladiator JT

It replaces the uneven inner tailgate surface with:

• 1/2-inch thick ABS plastic
• Food-safe surface (can double as a cutting board)
• 49.6" long x 15.4" wide working area
• Approx. 16 lbs

Unlike fold-down steel tailgate tables for Wranglers and other vehicles, this is not a hinged system. It simply creates a flush, level platform across your entire tailgate.

For my use case like photography workshops, backcountry travel, and daily gear management that simplicity is exactly what I wanted.

Why I Chose This Over Premium Tailgate Systems

When I started researching options, I seriously considered some of the higher-end systems that:

• Include built-in cup holders
• Offer hidden storage compartments

They’re fantastic products but they can run several hundred dollars more than this option. For me it wasn’t about turning the tailgate into a full kitchen system (I already have the SmartCap Kitchen for that). I just needed a reliable surface that:

• Could hold camera gear safely
• Let me prep food without juggling cutting boards
• Supported a laptop for editing in the field
• Was durable enough to not worry about damaging

This checked all those boxes at a much lower price point, and after a year of use, I can confidently say it’s done exactly what I needed it to do.

Tools Required

Hooke Road lists installation at about 30 minutes. That’s accurate and maybe even too long if you have your tools organized and ready to go.

All you’ll need:

• 4mm hex bit socket or key
• T30 drive bit socket or key
• Ratchet wrench or drill adapter 
• Phillips screwdriver bit
• 7/64th drill bit
• Electric drill 

All mounting hardware is included:
• Button head bolts
• Flat washers
• Metal screws

Hardware lined up

Step-by-Step Installation

Step 1: Remove Factory Bolts

Open your tailgate and remove the factory bolts securing the OEM inner panel.

You’ll reuse mounting points, not the bolts.

These come out quick and easy. You won't be reusing them

Step 2: Position the Hooke Road Panel

Align the new ABS panel over the factory tailgate surface.

It’s designed to sit on top of the metal tailgate panel.

Insert the new bolts with washers into the factory mounting locations.

Do not fully tighten yet — get all bolts started first.

Get everything hand tight 

Step 3: Install Top Metal Screws

The top corners use metal screws.

This is where the electric drill comes in. These screws bite into the factory inner panel for added stability. Some reviews complain about these breaking - yeah...that uh usually happens unless they are true self tappers. Drill yourself a little pilot hole, I used a 7/64th drill bit but double check the provided screw size.

Take your time and apply steady pressure to ensure clean threading.

Now everything is in, such a simple install

Step 4: Tighten and Final Fitment Check

Once everything is aligned:

• Tighten all bolts
• Check for panel movement
• Confirm tailgate closes normally

Installation complete!

Total time: About 25–35 minutes.

Real-World Performance After One Year

After a year of pretty much constant use:

• No cracking
• No warping
• No noticeable flex
• No mounting issues
• No loosening hardware

I regularly use it to:

• Lay out full camera kits
• Swap lenses in the field
• Stage batteries and chargers
• Prep meals
• Hold tools
• Sit on during long editing sessions
• Stand on it to access my roof tent

And because it’s ABS plastic, I don’t worry about scratching powder coat or denting metal.

It just works.

For my workflow it turned unused space into one of the most practical parts of my build.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable compared to premium tailgate table systems
• Lightweight
• Simple installation
• Clean factory-style appearance
• Full-width flat surface
• Extremely durable in real-world use

Cons? If any really

• Requires drilling for top screws
• Plastic, not metal or soft material (depending on preference)

Is It Worth It?

If you just want your Gladiator tailgate to finally be usable — yes.

For the price, the durability, and the simplicity, this has been one of the most practical and low-stress modifications I’ve done to my Jeep.

Final Thoughts

Most of the time, I’m either:

• Deep in the desert chasing light
• Teaching a photography workshop
• Editing images in the field
• Or sitting on the back of my tailgate after a long shoot

This simple modification made that everyday workflow better.

If you’re curious about my photography workshops, fine art prints, or how I use my Gladiator in the field, you can explore more of that throughout this site.

But if you’re here for a straightforward answer:

Yes — this has absolutely been worth it.

🎥 Watch the full install video here:

🔗 Buy Your Own Hooke Road Tailgate Panel:
Hooke Road Tailgate Cover on Amazon