The CTU: Chicago Tailgating Unit

Here's another great ambulance conversion from Chicago.  The Chicago Tailgating Unit (CTU for short) is the creation of Dale Musick and Patrick Tyler.  Check out their work below.

When did you get the rig?

December 2013

What was it used for before you got it?

It was an ambulance for the Forest View Fire Department In Illinois-I found it on Craigslist

 

How long did the restoration take?

Restoration took about 4 months-Mainly removing all the old decals, fixing a few mechanical issues, dressing up the inside, buying accesories.  Luckily my brother in law Dennis Medows and Father in law Ken Medows own Medows Construction and had a large heated shop for me to spend many hours using this winter.  Chicago's average temperature this winter was lower than Anchorage Alaska.  If it wasn't for them I would still be working on trying to get it ready.

 

How many people do you have tailgate with you?

Our immediate group is usually about 8-10 but we do a few events like White Sox Elvis night at US Cellular field where we get upwards of 80 tailgate guests

 

What are the cool features?

Our Custom CTU (Chicago Tailgating Unit) Logo that features the logos of the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bears, and the Northern Illinois Huskies, that my buddy Patrick (who is in this venture with me) and I both went to College. My Coworker Rick Knoll helped me with the logos and my brother Don is a printer and printed the vehicle skins for me. A Beer Keg system, Wireless and Cordless sound system for the exterior, Granite Countertop on the inside, Remote control LED lighting for the inside, Limo Tint for the rear compartment, dual hitch mounted Party King MVP Tailgate Grills.  Honda 2000i generator, dual 24 foot telescopic flagpoles mounted to the front of the box, and of course a backup camera !

 

What is your favorite feature?

The Grills and the custom hitch we made for them.  Never seen anyone else with that.  That was Patrick's idea, he hit a home run with that one !

 

What kind of plans do you have for the future?

For this season we have a few White Sox games on the schedule, Demolition Derby at the Route 66 Speedway, Nascar at Chicagoland Speedway, Jimmy Buffett, NIU Football games at home and away and hope to pick up a few Chicago Bears games.  We have also had the CTU in a local St Patricks Day parade where we switched the beer tap and used it for a keg of Root Beer and handed it out to the crowd. We are going to redo the upholstery with a black grey and red theme.  That should keep us going for a while

 

How long have you been tailgating?

Since our NIU days back in 1986. 

Check out their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Chicagotailgatingunit

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Know of a great tailgating crew or tailgating rig?  Please let us know and Submit a Story!

Tailgate Lot News Digest #3

Here's some tailgating news from around the net:

Horse lovers make Fair Hill tailgate contest family tradition

From Maryland crab cakes to National Red Velvet cakes, fascinators to Gainsborough hats, what’s happening at the tailgate can be more interesting than what’s happening on the track.

Everybody’s off to the Fair Hill Races this Memorial Day weekend. The annual event, now celebrating 80 years of benefitting Union Hospital, draws thousands from Cecil County and the horse racing community for a Steeplechase race, Friday night preview party, area vendors and hat competition.

Dierks Bentley: 'I love' checking out fan tailgating parties at my shows

If you snag tickets to see country-music superstar Dierks Bentley on his North American "Riser" tour, be sure to bring your tailgating supplies. The Grammy-nominated artist wants fans to party it up in the parking lot.

"Man, the parking lot scene — as a country fan, that's kind of what you go there for," Bentley told TODAY's Savannah Guthrie Tuesday. "Tailgating, getting out there, seeing your friends, hangin' out ... It's what everyone does on the weekend. And so we get a chance to be the show, the entertainment." 

Baylor will use old Floyd Casey turf on tailgating area

Sure, they could have just cut it up, packed it with an autograph of Art Briles and made a lot of money.

But Baylor officials have decided they aren’t going to be like Notre Dame as they’ve found an innovative use for the old field turf from Floyd Casey Stadium.

They are going to use it on the ground of the tailgating area at McLane Stadium.

Emanuel endorses project that could lead to Bears tailgating demise

They had a champagne toast at Millennium Park as the mayor celebrated the city snagging next year’s Oscars of the culinary world - the James Beard Awards.

Rahm also took the occasion to enthusiastically endorse his advisory committee’s recommendation of the parking lots just south of Soldier Field as the city’s bid to snag the “Star Wars” museum George Lucas is planning.

Tailgate Lot News Digest #2

Here's some tailgating news from around the country, and an added video at the end

Packers Tailgate Tour Kicks Off Today

A number of present and former Green Bay Packers players will embark on a five-day trip across the state of Wisconsin on the annual Tailgate Tour today. The coach bus will make its first stop this afternoon in Escanaba.

Indoor sports complex to displace NC State Red-lot tailgaters

Due to the construction of a new $14 million indoor practice facility, about 700 parking spaces in the Stadium Southeast Red Lot at Carter-Finley Stadium will be unavailable for use during the 2014 N.C. State football season. 

N.C. State Athletics has offset the loss of spots caused by the new facility by identifying additional parking inventory around the stadium complex to accommodate the displaced tailgaters, according to Michael Lipitz, senior associate athletics director at N.C. State, though they might not be as close to the stadium.

FSU's spring game beautiful for fans

Florida State’s spring game perhaps felt more like summer.

Temperatures in the mid-80s, sunny skies and the promise of seeing last year’s national champions lace up was enough for thousands of FSU fans to make it out to Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The annual intra-squad game between the Seminoles’ offenses and defenses always feeds a hungry fan base eager for another season of college football.

ASU may ban kegs at football games

Last call may already be over when it comes to beer kegs outside Sun Devil Stadium.

Arizona State University is considering banning beer kegs for all fans during tailgating at home football games as part of a larger effort to improve safety and discourage alcohol abuse.

And here's a tailgating FAIL:

Da Fanbulance! Chicago Bears Done Right

Take a look at Da Fanbulance.  This is a nice ambulance owned by Chris Brynolf, Dan Brynolf, Zack Brynolf and the late Bob Brynolf.

This crew picked up Da Fanbulance in the fall of 2008 on Ebay from a small fire department / EMS team in Covington, Ohio.  It is a 1989 Ford E350 with about 44,000 original miles on the clock.

 

How long did the restoration take?

We were fortunate that this ambulance had blue interior and blue striping on the outside.   We took the ambulance to one of the last games in 2008 to make sure we could get into our tailgate lot with it.   The following summer we added the decals, grill and other bears décor.   The following year we added the TV and generator.  The grill is from partykinggrills.com.   The decals were purchased custom made on Ebay.

  

How many people do you have tailgate with you?

There is always four of us who go but legally we can take 7 (seatbelts for 7).   2 up front and 5 in the back.   However we always have friends and friends of friends stop by to tailgate.

  

What are the features of the rig?

The best part about the ambulance other than being a fun conversational piece, is all the storage room and room inside to sit.  Obviously the TV comes in handy for the afternoon and evening games so we can watch the other games while tailgating.   Always the center of attention then.   All the sirens and lights work. 

  

What is your favorite feature?

The trailer hitch grill.

  

What kind of plans do you have for the future?

Would like to put in a good sound system for external music.

How long have you been tailgating?

We have had season tickets for the Chicago Bears since 2004.

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Know of a great tailgating crew or tailgating rig?  Please let us know and Submit a Story!

FanMug! A Helmet In Your Hand

The FanMug is a replica helmet that is also a coozie or mug for your drink.  It will comfortably hold bottles and cans, as well as poured liquids. It keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot.

The FanMug was created by long-time sportscaster Doug Lessells in Columbus, Ohio.  He did a great job of nailing the look of a helmet, down to the facemask clips and screws.  It also separates into two pieces, so that the inner cup can be cleaned in the dishwasher (top rack safe).  No worries, as this is a BPA Free product.  The inner cup is also microwave safe.

As mentioned above, the FanMug is pretty versatile. When not in season, you can use it as a mug or desk caddy / pen holder at work!

Currently, you can find the FanMug in 15 NFL teams, 19 NCAA teams, and will set you back $11.99 apiece, or you can buy a 4-pack for $39.99.

  

  

  

Getting the FanMug in hand, it is very comfortable to hold.  I've tried many different grips on it; all being very comfortable.  The big thing is, though, it keeps your hand away from any hot or cold beverage that it is holding.

The FanMug will definately get you some looks at the game or in the office.  

Check out more about the FanMug at their website: http://www.fanmug.com/
Like them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fanmug

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Know of a great product, tailgating crew or rig?  Please let us know and Submit a Story!

Kirk Cousins in a Meijer's Tailgating Commercial

Kirk Cousins, quarterback at Michigan State and then Washington Redskins, has a cameo in the latest Meijer tailgating commercial, featuring the Chicago Bears vs the Detroit Lions.  Check it out:

Monday Morning Wakeup Call: NFL

Hope you have a great week.  This should help it start out okay:

Monday Morning Wakeup Call: Chicago Bears

Bear down, Chicago Bears!

Here's a 4 pack for the Bears fans:

Da Tour of Da Bus: Bears Tailgating

A cool interview featuring some Bears fans with their very well known tailgating bus.