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

DrewE
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2016
Maybe an army cot? If the canvas is reasonably taut, it doesn't bow too much.

Maybe a collapsible or folding table, such as this one for instance? Though I would be somewhat worried about the sturdiness and tip resistance for lying down. The modern plastic folding tables might be a better option if you have the space to carry one; they're a whole lot lighter than the older particle board tops, and nearly indestructible. If you shop at a place selling school furniture, you can find ones with various leg lengths or with adjustable legs (for elementary school kids).
TexasShadow
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2016
I've seen a lot of people napping on top of a roadside picnic table. get a pad to spread under you and a box to get your feet up. and try to train your cat to a harness so you can take him out with you but keep him close.
GordonThree
Explorer
Jun 05, 2016
Naio wrote:
I want to be outdoors. Is that so strange, on a camping forum?

Some folks on this forum might go camping, but I suspect the majority of us go RVing :P

Have you tried a simple folding chaise lounge, they are kind of low to the ground I guess, more like 6-8" certainly not 18-30".

How about a blanket on top of the rest area picnic table?
F1bNorm
Explorer
Jun 05, 2016
How about a padded board? A 1x12x48 plank with a foam cushion, wrap with upholstery material and staple the back side. If you need wider, 1/4" ply on a 1x2 ladder frame (to keep the weight down). You could lay it on a picnic bench, or two short folding saw horses.

Norm
Naio
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2016
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?
GordonThree
Explorer
Jun 05, 2016
check out a zero gravity recliner... they lean pretty far back, support your legs and the camping ones fold up pretty small

or get a leash / harness / cage for the cat, secure it before you stop for a nap
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jun 05, 2016
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.
Naio
Explorer II
Jun 05, 2016
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.
Tiger4x4RV
Nomad
Jun 05, 2016
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.

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

19 Replies

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