Memories of good times, sitting on the back of the truck relaxing and discussing a day of skiing, golfing or mountain biking, led brothers Tyler and Dillon Green to invent a tailgate pad. And it is not just a bike-pad. Their company, Cache, now markets an all-encompassing tailgate product.
Story of Dillon, Tyler, and Jeffrey
Dillon and Tyler were staying with their dad, Jeffrey, at the family cabin when they brainstormed the idea. “‘Dad said why couldn’t you have a whole bunch of accessories like chairs and a cooler. He got it. He said you guys got to do this, it’s gonna be something” says Dillon. Unfortunately, Jeffrey would never live to see his sons’ success.
In January 2017 Tyler received a call while living in Chicago from his stepmom saying their dad had been in an accident. “This is minutes after I talked to my Dad. He told me he was flying to Mexico,” says Tyler, “I said talk to you later, call me when you land.”
The plane Jeffrey was piloting crashed shortly after takeoff in Tucson, Arizona. He died on impact. Life stopped for months for the two brothers after the loss of their father.
But the idea did not die. Tyler moved his family to Utah to continue with their plans to make the tailgate pad. The brothers used all of their savings and funds from a successful Kickstarter campaign to get started. They also worked with Klugonyx, a local product development company to help fine-tune and engineer their design for the tailgate system.
Cache
The fully loaded tailgate system has the removable “Jeffrey” cooler, two detachable lounger chairs, a locking carabiner and space for up to five bikes. It fits most trucks and has an opening for a backup camera.
“The “Jeffrey” cooler is built to go everywhere and do everything,” says Tyler. “Our Dad did everything. He was a professional pilot a triathlete, Golden Gloves boxer, and a stuntman.”
The tailgate system is being sold in 46 states and Canada. “Soccer moms in Florida who have no idea what a bike pad is use it at their kids’ soccer games and tailgate parties,” says Tyler.
