Abstract: A tailgate bridge apparatus for a vehicle with a bed and a tailgate includes a conventional receiver hitch secured to a rear of the vehicle; a base member with a shank releasably securable to, and adjustable relative to, the conventional receiver hitch, and an upright; a cross member having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion releasably securable to, and adjustable relative to, the upright; platforms having aft ends supported by the upper portion of the cross member wherein the platforms span the tailgate without being supported by the tailgate, platform positioning mechanisms to position the aft ends of the platforms relative to the upper portion, ramps, and ramp positioning mechanisms to align the ramps with the platforms.