How to Prep Your Vehicle for Football Tailgating

September 29, 2026 · 3 min read

Football season means packed parking lots, crowded game days, good food, and plenty of tailgating. Before you load up the cooler and head out, take a few minutes to make sure your vehicle is ready for the day.

Whether you're heading to Arrowhead Stadium or hosting a football gathering closer to home, a little preparation can make tailgating much easier.

Start With a Vehicle Check

Before game day, take a quick look at the basics.

Check your:

Tire pressure and tread
Oil and other fluids
Battery
Brakes
Lights
Windshield wipers

If your vehicle needs maintenance, it's better to take care of it before you're sitting in traffic on the way to the game.

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Pack Your Tailgate Gear Strategically

Tailgates can require a surprising amount of equipment. Coolers, folding chairs, tables, food, games, team gear, blankets, and speakers can quickly take over your vehicle.

Make a list before you leave and load the largest items first. Keep smaller essentials together and make sure everything is properly secured before driving.

A Chevrolet Silverado can be especially useful for tailgating because the truck bed gives you separate space for larger items.

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Choose a Vehicle That Fits Your Crew

Bringing the entire football crew? An SUV can make it easier to transport both people and gear.

The Chevrolet Traverse, Tahoe, and Suburban offer different combinations of passenger and cargo space, giving you options based on how many people you're bringing and how much equipment you're hauling.

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Keep Your Tailgate Organized

Once you arrive, you don't want to spend 20 minutes digging through the vehicle for the folding chairs.

Keep commonly used items together and place your cooler, chairs, and other essentials where they're easy to access. Storage bins can also help keep smaller items organized.

And remember to leave enough room for whatever you bring home after the game.

Don't Forget About Safety

Before pulling out of the parking lot, secure your remaining cargo and make sure everyone is buckled up.

If alcohol is part of your tailgate, plan ahead for a safe ride home with a designated driver or another transportation option. Never drive impaired.

Make Your Chevy Game-Day Ready

The right vehicle can make a big difference when football season gets busy.

Whether you need the hauling versatility of a Silverado or the passenger and cargo space of a Traverse, Tahoe, or Suburban, Chevrolet has options for game days, road trips, and everyday life.

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Visit McCarthy Chevrolet Overland Park at 9201 Metcalf Ave. and find a Chevrolet that's ready for your next football adventure.

Load it up. Fire up the playlist. Football season is here. LETS GO!

Oct 01, 2026

SUV vs. Truck: Which Is Better for Fall Adventures?

Fall is one of the best times to get out and explore the Kansas City area. Pumpkin patches, football games, fall festivals, camping trips, scenic drives, and weekend getaways all mean one thing: it's time to hit the road. But when you're planning your next fall adventure, which is better for the job—a Chevrolet SUV or a Chevrolet truck? The answer really depends on what you're bringing along. When an SUV Makes Sense If your fall plans involve family, friends, and plenty of passengers, an SUV can be a great choice. Chevrolet offers SUVs in several sizes, from the compact Trax and Equinox to larger three-row options like the Traverse, Tahoe, and Suburban. McCarthy Chevrolet Overland Park's current SUV lineup offers seating options ranging from five to nine passengers, depending on the model. An SUV can be especially useful for: Family road trips School and sports activities Pumpkin-patch adventures Football weekends Camping trips Carrying passengers and everyday cargo Explore New Chevrolet SUVs at McCarthy Chevrolet Overland Park When a Truck Might Be the Better Fit Sometimes your fall gear is simply too big, too heavy, or too messy for the back of an SUV. That's where a Chevrolet Silverado comes in. A truck bed gives you dedicated space for larger items such as coolers, camping equipment, outdoor furniture, tools, bicycles, or tailgating gear. The Silverado lineup also includes options designed for everything from everyday driving to off-road adventures. The upcoming 2027 Silverado, for example, will include trims such as the Trail Boss and ZR2 for drivers looking for additional off-road capability. Explore New Chevrolet Trucks SUV vs. Truck: What Are You Bringing? Think about your typical fall weekend. If you're loading up kids, friends, backpacks, blankets, and snacks, an SUV may be the better match. If you're hauling coolers, chairs, camping equipment, home-improvement supplies, or larger outdoor gear, a truck may give you the flexibility you need. And if your fall plans include a little bit of everything? That's where choosing based on your everyday lifestyle becomes important. What About Tailgating? Football season is a perfect example. A Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, or Traverse can make it easier to bring passengers and plenty of gear. A Silverado gives you a truck bed for coolers, folding chairs, tables, grills, and other tailgate essentials. Basically, one is ready to carry the crew, and the other is ready to carry the gear. Which One Fits Your Fall Lifestyle? Fall Activity SUV Truck Family road trip Great fit Great fit Pumpkin patch Great fit Great fit Large passenger group Great fit Depends on cab configuration Tailgate gear Great fit Great fit Camping equipment Great fit Great fit Large or messy cargo Good fit Great fit Everyday family driving Great fit Great fit Off-road adventures Available options Available options There isn't one answer that works for every driver. Your ideal vehicle depends on how many people you carry, how much gear you haul, and what kinds of adventures you have planned. Find Your Fall-Ready Chevrolet in Overland Park Whether an SUV or truck fits your lifestyle better, McCarthy Chevrolet Overland Park has a wide selection of new Chevrolet vehicles to explore. The dealership currently lists more than 400 new Chevrolet vehicles across its inventory. Browse New Chevrolet Inventory Shop New Chevrolet SUVs Shop New Chevrolet Trucks Visit McCarthy Chevrolet Overland Park at 9201 Metcalf Ave. and compare your options in person. Whether you're headed to a pumpkin patch, a Chiefs tailgate, a campsite, or simply taking a weekend drive through the fall colors, there's a Chevrolet ready to help you get there. SUV or truck? You pick the adventure. Chevy helps you bring it along!!

Sep 30, 2026

Best SUVs for Fall Family Adventures

Fall is one of the best times to get out and explore Kansas City. From pumpkin patches and football games to scenic drives, fall festivals, and weekend road trips, there's plenty to do around Overland Park and the surrounding area. And when you're bringing the whole family, the right SUV can make the adventure a lot easier. At McCarthy Chevrolet Overland Park, you'll find Chevrolet SUVs in a variety of sizes, giving families options for everything from everyday errands to full weekend adventures. Chevrolet Equinox: Everyday Fall Fun For families looking for a versatile SUV that's easy to drive around town, the Chevrolet Equinox is a great option. It's well suited for school drop-offs, grocery runs, weekend activities, and day trips around the Kansas City area. Available all-wheel drive can also be useful when fall weather brings rain and changing road conditions. Explore Chevrolet Equinox Inventory Chevrolet Traverse: Made for Family Adventures Need three rows? The Chevrolet Traverse is a standout option for families who need additional passenger and cargo space. The Traverse can seat up to eight passengers, making it useful for family road trips, football weekends, pumpkin-patch adventures, and everything else that fills the fall calendar. Chevrolet also offers features designed around family convenience, including Smart Glide seating and a hands-free liftgate. Shop Chevrolet Traverse Inventory Chevrolet Tahoe: Go Bigger For larger families or drivers who regularly bring along plenty of gear, the Chevrolet Tahoe offers even more room. With three rows and substantial cargo capacity, the Tahoe can make it easier to bring along sports equipment, coolers, luggage, camping supplies, or whatever else your fall adventure requires. The current Tahoe also offers available Super Cruise technology and multiple camera views to help with driving and maneuvering. Explore Chevrolet Tahoe Inventory Chevrolet Suburban: Maximum Space for the Whole Crew If your definition of a family adventure includes everyone and everything, the Chevrolet Suburban is worth a look. It's Chevrolet's largest SUV, giving families substantial passenger and cargo room for longer road trips, sporting events, outdoor adventures, and busy weekends. Shop Chevrolet Suburban Inventory Don't Forget the Chevrolet Trax Not every family needs a three-row SUV. The Chevrolet Trax is a smaller option for drivers who want an SUV that's easy to maneuver while still offering useful cargo flexibility. McCarthy Chevrolet Overland Park currently lists the Trax among its Chevrolet SUV lineup. Explore Chevrolet Trax Inventory Where Could Your Fall Adventure Take You? Your SUV could be headed to a pumpkin patch, a Chiefs tailgate, a fall festival, or a weekend road trip outside the Kansas City metro. The best vehicle for your family depends on how many passengers you regularly carry, how much gear you bring, and what you want to do with your SUV. Browse New Chevrolet SUVs Browse All New Chevrolet Inventory Browse Used Vehicles Visit McCarthy Chevrolet Overland Park at 9201 Metcalf Ave. and explore Chevrolet SUVs that can keep up with your family's fall plans. From the first pumpkin patch to the final football game, your next fall adventure starts with the right Chevrolet. See ya soon!

Sep 28, 2026

The 2027 Chevrolet Lineup Is Here: Here's What All the Hype Is About

A new model year means new vehicles, new technology, new designs, and plenty to talk about—and 2027 is shaping up to be a big year for Chevrolet. At McCarthy Chevrolet Overland Park, we're already seeing 2027 Chevrolet models arrive, including the 2027 Equinox, Bolt, Traverse, and Corvette. More exciting models are also on the horizon, making this one of the most anticipated Chevrolet model years yet. The 2027 Equinox Gets Even More Attention The 2027 Chevrolet Equinox continues to be one of Chevy's key SUV choices, with LT, RS, and ACTIV models offering different styles for different drivers. The Equinox features an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, available all-wheel drive, and more than 15 standard safety and driver-assistance features. The 2027 model also introduces a new Autumn Harvest Metallic exterior color exclusive to the LT and ACTIV trims. Explore New Chevrolet Inventory at McCarthy Chevrolet Overland Park The Bolt Is Back One of the biggest headlines for 2027 is the return of the Chevrolet Bolt. The new Bolt offers a GM-estimated 262 miles of electric range, 150+ kW DC fast charging, a native NACS charging port, a new sporty RS trim, and more than 20 standard safety and driver-assistance features. Chevrolet says the Bolt is being offered as a limited-run model. And yes, we're talking about an EV that brings plenty of technology without requiring you to give up everyday practicality. The 2027 Traverse Brings Big SUV Energy The 2027 Chevrolet Traverse is ready for families, road trips, and just about everything in between. The 2027 Traverse offers seating for up to eight, up to 98 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume, a standard 17.7-inch infotainment screen, and available Super Cruise. The lineup also includes the new High Country trim along with LT, Z71, and RS models. Explore Chevrolet SUVs Chevrolet Is Going Big on EVs The 2027 model year isn't just about gas-powered vehicles. Chevrolet's 2027 EV lineup includes the Bolt, Equinox EV, and Blazer EV, giving shoppers more options across different sizes and lifestyles. The 2027 Equinox EV offers an EPA-estimated 319 miles of range with FWD, while the 2027 Blazer EV offers up to 312 miles of EPA-estimated range with FWD. And Then There's the Corvette For those who prefer their 2027 Chevrolet with a little more excitement, the Corvette lineup is bringing serious performance. The 2027 Corvette family includes the Stingray, Z06, Grand Sport, ZR1, ZR1X, and Grand Sport X. Chevrolet's performance lineup lists the ZR1X with up to 1,250 combined horsepower and an available 0-to-60 time of 1.89 seconds. That's one way to make your daily commute a little more interesting. The All-New 2027 Silverado Is Coming Truck fans haven't been left out. Chevrolet has completely redesigned the 2027 Silverado 1500 for the next generation, with a new exterior, redesigned interior, two all-new V8 engines, an enhanced TurboMax, and the available 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel. Chevrolet says the next-generation Silverado will be available later in 2026. The lineup will include seven trims: WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, Silverado, Trail Boss, ZR2, and High Country. Explore Chevrolet Trucks Why Is Everyone Talking About 2027? Because Chevrolet isn't treating 2027 like just another model-year change. There's something new for nearly every type of driver—from practical SUVs and EVs to performance Corvettes and a completely redesigned Silverado. And the best part? Some 2027 Chevrolets are already here at McCarthy Chevrolet Overland Park. Shop New Chevrolet Inventory Visit McCarthy Chevrolet Overland Park at 9201 Metcalf Ave. and get an up-close look at the newest Chevrolet models. 2027 is here. The hype is real. Come see what everyone's talking about!