Camping
Portable Camping Tables
Introduction
I have already discussed chairs, so now I need to look at tables. Some times, the tailgate of the bakkie can serve as a temporary table, but when you are camping for a few days, a fold-up table becomes an essential item.
Slatted Table
The table shown below is identical to our original slatted table. The original was modified after the wood started rotting after our numerous camping trips.
Slatted Table
The mechanics of folding the table is very simple and it can almost be done with one hand.
Slatted Table folding mechanism
It served us well, but the problem with it is that it was just a little too small for cooking and preparing food at the same time. Small items often tend to fall through the slots, which can be very irritating.
Dimensions: The table top is 770mm x 550mm, and the height is 640mm.
When folded, the legs stick out beyond the table top.
Slatted Table folded
Folded dimensions: 950mm x 590mm, packing depth is 60mm.
Slatted Table with new top
Proffie modified the old slatted table by putting on a solid top made of weatherproof masonite. After 25 years, this new top is still going strong.
Slatted Table with new top
Dimensions: The table top is 750mm x 550mm, and the height is 640mm.
To have a larger workspace, we have taken both the tables shown above, with us on trips. However, packing these tables into the bakkie does take up quite a bit of space due to the awkward dimensions with the legs sticking out beyond the table top when folded.
Folded dimensions: 920mm x 550mm, packing depth is 60mm.
Minhaj 1.2m Folding Trestle Table
I found this table while searching through Takealot. It was the size I was looking for, and the price was reasonable enough (although it has gone up since I made my purchase).
Minaj Trestle Table
In this pic, you can see the only irritation I have with this table - the top is not completely horizontal. There is a slight kink at the fold. However, the table is very stable once the legs and the fold in the top are locked into position. Chairs can fit under the table easily, something which is not possible with the first two tables.
Dimensions: The table top is 1220mm x 600mm, and the height is 740mm.
It is a bit more tricky to unfold this table than the slatted table.
Trestle Table opened
In the above pic, you can see the table leg extensions clipped into position. The extensions screw into the bottom of the legs, The little red knob on the top is the locking device for the table top.
Trestle Table with leg extensions in position
In this pic you can see the locking mechanism for the legs.
When folded, this table is appreciably smaller than the slatted table. You can also see the carrying handle.
Trestle Table folded compared to folded Slatted Table
Folded dimensions: 610mm x 600mm, packing depth is 80mm.
The table in use at Ruah Park.
Table after breakfast in Ruah Park
As you can see from the pic above, spider chairs are a little low to sit comfortably at the table while eating. Director's chairs and standard plastic garden chairs do not have this problem.
Update (1 May 2023) Apart from camping, we also use the table for other things, such as board games. It was here that the kink in the table started irritating me, so I decided to do something about it. Eventually, I found the culprit, and a few seconds with a file on each of four metal plates, such as the two shown in the picture below, sorted out the problem.
Two of the four plates which need a bit of filing
Comparing the following pic of the table with the first one shows the improvement.
A horizontal table
An added advantage of the fold-up design of the table leaves enough space to store a table cloth.
Storing a table cloth
For a comparison, here are the three tables together.
Comparing the dimensions of the three tables
(updated: 28 March 2023)
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