Camping Tables; Which One???

[Bkerk123]

Hello All,

Very new to all this; in fact we pick up our first Camper Trailer in a fortnight.

We went with a Sar Major Extreme Offroad - really looking forward to it!!

We have collected most of the basics, Chairs, Ice Box, Sleeping bags for the kids etc...

We are, however, stumped on the table. I cant seem to find one that I like and most seem very wonky. Is this normal for camping tables or is there a particular table that you have and you love?

Thanks in advance

Bradley

[Swannie]

G'Day mate, just picked up the new Oz tent camping table... Folds up into 3 ina bag... easy to store... Most do feel a little wonky untill you get some gear on them. We also have another form BCF that has a canvas area underneath to store ligh things like tea towles, sauces etc.

Greg

[GGV8Cruza]

Welcome to the forum, have a look here,

http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=4318.0

GG

[Matto]

Hi Bradley,

First up, welcome to the forum. Second, congrats on a new camper!

Thirdly, re: tables, all I can say is not get one of the roll-up Alumiuium slat tables. The top rolls up, and they go into a bag about the size of a camp chair. We have one - worst thing we've ever bought.

We've got a big plastic blow-moulded table, but it's too big to fit in the camper. Could probably go on top of the tent under the travel cover though - have never tried. I'd like one of the ones that folds in half.

Good luck - that thread GG posted is great.

Cheers!
Matto

[Kit_e_kat9]

Hello, welcome, congrats.

Now to the table issue.  We have one of these:



http://www.downundercamping.com.au/product.php?productid=17363&cat=526&page=1

The legs fold into it, the ends come off and stored inside (there are do-ovalackeys in there), folds in half like a suitcase, has a handle, pretty sturdy, very light weight and they are cheap.  You can also get them for a few $ more with an under table storage thingamajig, but we didn't and we don't really want one anymore ... pack it  - unpack it - pack it - unpack it ... you know what I mean? ... Might be okay if you aren't moving daily.

Did seem a bit wobbly at first, but once you get all your camping kitchen paraphernalia on it, solid as. 

Just don't put a hot camp oven on it.   

Kit_e

[Bennlexx]

The main problem we find with camping tables is that it's very difficult to sit at them in camping chairs.

Recently we purchased a plastic molded table with two free standing benches that fold up inside the table when packing up.  It's fairly heavy but sits on the bed when we fold up the camper.  We're very happy with it. 

[two+four]

Hi Bradley,

Thirdly, re: tables, all I can say is not get one of the roll-up Alumiuium slat tables. The top rolls up, and they go into a bag about the size of a camp chair. We have one - worst thing we've ever bought.

Cheers!
Matto

We were given one of those Alumiuium tables (slightly damaged) we would never use it as our primary table but it is a useful secondary table as it takes up very little space.

We use a plastic blow molded table as our main table.

Neil

[martyn]

Our friends bought one of these http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Furniture/Desks/Tables/OWBFLD4FGY and we were impressed enough to order one ourselves. Plastic top is easy to clean, height adjustable legs and it folds up pretty small

[Campa]

Were lucky because the wife and I aren't the tallest of people nor the heaviest so we can use one of these quite comfortably. Folds up nice and neat, all aluminium so its not heavy and it wont rust.

[brickiematt]

We use one of the aluminium roll top tables as a card table/ kids games etc. Found it to be very handy, and it's light and packs away small. For the main table, we just purchased the Oztent folding table at the Melbourne camping show. Good sized table and very sturdy. It folds into 3 and fits into a small bag. It's lightweight too. Best thing about buying the table tho, was the missus tried out the King goanna chair, and promptly bought 2.....with no pestering from me!! Sweet

[Barrabart]

We've got a big plastic blow-moulded table, but it's too big to fit in the camper. Could probably go on top of the tent under the travel cover though - have never tried. I'd like one of the ones that folds in half

G'day Matto,

We have a few of those blow-moulded tables you speak of, last year when we hired a Johnnos CT we chucked the table on top of the folded up tent before zipping up the tonnue cover.. didn't move an inch while travelling up the cape..... another fella i've spoken with chucks his straight on his mattress before folding up the tent........ now i'm wondering if you could get two side by side.... would act like a bed cover if you were folding up a damp tent?....I'll have to try it when i get my CT.....anyway those blow-moulded tables are a great bit of gear....

catch ya later.

[Matto]

another fella i've spoken with chucks his straight on his mattress before folding up the tent........ now i'm wondering if you could get two side by side.... would act like a bed cover if you were folding up a damp tent?....

Great idea!

I might have to try that. I wasn't keen to have it on top of the tent, under the travel cover for fear it would bounce around. But on the bed would be a great spot for it. I reckon you just about would get 2 tables on a Trackabout bed. I've got two at home - next time I pop the tent up I'll have a look!

Cheers!
Matto

[LJs GU]

Hey Bradley,

Welcome to Myswag...

Like you (and most campers), we went through the same process of trying to find the right table... and we've finally found the one that suits us.  It may suit you if you've got little ones as well???

It's one of these:


I reckon we've tried nearly all of them.  We've tried the ones like bnk08 posted (both the cheap and the expensive ones) and also the ones Kit-e showed.  They're great for compactness and light weight, but found with three kids they move and wobble at the slightest movement.

I drilled a couple of extra holes in the table legs so that the table can be set at 'half height', which is perfect for us all (me, her, 4, 6, & 8y/o) to be able to eat at.  The kids sit on the bench seats and me and her sit on camp chairs.  It's not the lightest, but that's good in a way, because it's sturdy.  It sits on top of the tent during transit.

Anyway good luck with your choice.  Look forward to seeing some pics of your CT when you can.

LJ

[jeeps]

I've had the the roll up tables, heavy blow mould tables, now use the same one as Kit_e as its very light and we don't need a huge table because we have the full Drifta kitchen. The next table is going to be one of those Drifta tables. A bit pricey but they look well worth it.