Re: lightweight camping table?

I take this table when I'm backpacking with my two children:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___82056

It's very light aluminum. It is a little bulky but my 7-year-old does not complain when I lash it to the outside of his pack. It's also small enough to bring inside a 2-man tent, if need be.

I have the same table. It is above the mud and dirt and fully washable. You probably could make a table but in this case it is affordable and great out of the box!

I will add, look it over very carefully before you remove the rubber bands and unfold it for the first time - because once you fold it out, it doesn't look like it should roll back up, but it does...

Have you given any thought to using some of that corrugated plastic stuff? You know...looks like corrugated cardboard but is all plastic. I would think a couple of small pieces stood vertically with interlocking slots would make a stable base and another piece for a top would be compact and lightweight as well.

I bought this little basket at the "everything's a dollar" store for, you guessed it, $1. It has a nice flat bottom and is pretty solid. The bottom (table top) is 11.5x7 and it is 6" tall. Weighs only 5 oz.





If you pack it full of stuff, then it's like it's not even there in your pack. I put my quilt (orange stuffsack) and poncho/tarp in there as an example, but I could have squeezed a lot more in it. You could proabbly cut those little handle things off if you wanted. Who knows, coudl come in handy for carrying something, too.

If you did use one of these, I would run a medium sandpaper of the edges of the top lip. They area little sharp.

This isn't a perfect solution, but it works, is super cheap, and super light. honestly the only downsize is that it doesn't fold up. Again, if you fill it up good, then that aspect is less of an issue. It would definitely fit in even the smallest packs

If you liked it, you could go buy a bunch and think of them as somewhat disposable.

Actually kind of a neat find. mind you, when I see the word "lightweight" and "table" something in me starts to twitch. When I'm out a table is any convenient flat surface. Rock, log, ground... none of which I have to carry with me - that's always the lightest table.

yeah, for the record. I purchased that basket for my Wii controllers. I would never have a need for it on the trail. It'd be a heck of a lot better than carrying that big aluminum table, tho. IMO.

and again, I'm back to:

you said "lightweight" and "table" in the same paragraph.. fail.

I always take a flat plastic cutting board with me while camping. It easily fits in my back pack and is not only used for cutting but I can use it as a small table as well.

I have one, but I call it a trash compactor bag - it's white, lines my pack to keep the stuff inside dry, and lays out flat on the ground so I don't lose little stuff in the pine needles/leaves or get stuff muddy. It also makes a great place to stand in stocking feet when getting into or out of the hammock.

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I think I logged onto the wrong forum with all of this picnic table talk. Is this KOAKampers.com? I normally have some newb be my table. Saves weight.

I have one, it's called a bear keg.

Table, seat, and I wonder if it floats, never tried that, might make a boat buoy too!

Wow that basket great idea for a table, and if you stuff things inside looks like it works great...I work right by a dollar store too....



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I use my lap. Or a garbage bag on the ground if I can't fit it all on my lap. Depending on how much time you have on your hands, split 3 inch diameter logs in half and tuck the rounded ends to the ground so you have a flat top. If you need height, try stacking relatively straight and similiar sized logs like a "log cabin" and place the split logs ontop.

What are you splitting the logs with?

I always bring my Mora knife with me but you could also split a 3 inch log with an SAK if you are so inclined. If the blade isn't long enough you can use the wedge and batton technique for splitting.

Phat
I have a bit of a problem with the Light-Heavyweight division in boxing...
Franco