I've been looking for a while and it finally occurred to me to ask the folks here :). I need something that I can lie on for short breaks outdoors when driving. I will put my feet up, so it only needs to be about 48" long.It needs to be higher off the ground than a lawn chair (bad knees). 18" would be good, and up to 30" or so tall is ok.It needs to be very lightweight -- 5 or 6 lbs is ideal.I weigh about 135.--Here are some I have considered: Benches with a fabric top. Turns out the tops are too bucket-shaped.Cosco-type 4' folding table with white plastic top: Too heavy.Cosco-type bench: I could only find one 6' long. It is too big and heavy for this job, although nice for other stuff around camp.I could use two smaller tables next to each other, if I could find sturdy ones. All I have seen so far are too flimsy.Any ideas?

I often take nap breaks inside the RV while on the road. Your van has a bed, right? Just lie on that and open the windows if you want to feel outdoors. No extra item to shop for, spend money on, and find a place to store.

Lol, Tiger, that is what I have been doing the past 2 years but now I want an upgrade :).Part of it is, now I am traveling with cat, so I can not open much unless I am ok with him going out and potentially not coming back in. He once loved a place so much I was stuck there for 4 days, so now I am wary.

How about the seat of a Director's chair. Sounds about the right height, and they are lightweight, epically the aluminum frame ones.. Use the chair seat like an ottoman.. They also make some camp stools that might work, Same concept as the director's chair, Only no back or arms.. Canvas seat.. THis might NOT work less it has means (Addable I might add) to lock the legs spread since these tend to be "X" leg style.

check out a zero gravity recliner... they lean pretty far back, support your legs and the camping ones fold up pretty smallor get a leash / harness / cage for the cat, secure it before you stop for a nap

I need something that keeps my head as low as my hips. The legrest I already have :).The cat is not really relevant. I want to be outdoors. Is that so strange, on a camping forum?

Is there a folding table or bench that will work for me?

19 Replies

Naio
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2016
Please remember, I have already found one thing that meets these specs -- the folding bench described upthread that is 6 feet long so it's not impossible. I am just hoping to find something shorter.

The drywall bench is a great idea if I can find one a bit lighter, or MAKE it ligher. And inversion table is a very creative idea! The fold-down bumper mount would alleviate the weight problem.

I am familisr with portable massage tables (and I have one) they are lightweight compared to furniture ;). But not easy to lift or fit into a van.

Thank you so much to everyone who has made practical suggestions so far :).
Grit_dog
Navigator II
Jun 06, 2016
While I'm not sure I understand the use/need, what popped into my head was your "Costco folding table", but if that's too heavy, you're after something made out of unobtanium.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jun 06, 2016
Sturdy, table height, but only weighs 5 to 6 pounds? Mission impossible.
Peg_Leg
Explorer
Jun 06, 2016
My BIL has one of those inversion, as in hang upside down, things. It could be set to stop at a flat position. It's light weight but not sure how much.

Or maybe a fold down tray on the front or rear bumper.
rexlion
Explorer
Jun 06, 2016
Hmmm, how about this Coleman aluminum camping table set? 63" long when set end to end, and 300 lb weight limit. Only about 12 lbs to lug around.
camp table on Amazon
Stormy_Eyes
Explorer
Jun 05, 2016
Have you googled folding or portable massage tables? Your might find a lightweight, compact one.
Opie431
Explorer
Jun 05, 2016
Our cat loved to be outdoors while camping. He was always tied up and had his own chair to sit on next to me. Whenever we entered the TT we were always ready to grab him in case he make a break for it. He never did, but we were always ready.

The only problem was when we went for a walk and he decided he had to use his litter box. He would make a mad dash for it with me running behind him, clutching the rope.

We always worried about him getting out but because he was older when we first took him camping he thought he could not go out unless he was tied up.
westend
Explorer
Jun 05, 2016
Drywaller's bench, throw a pad on it. The better ones are even height adjustable.

You will find many uses for these aluminum benches.
Naio
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2016
This is for use in places where there are NO picnic tables.

If there is one, yes, I just use it. But there are usually not any in the places I go.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jun 05, 2016
$49.88 on sale right now. Trouble is, it weigh 30 pounds ... still ...

Click here.