Stainless steel camping tables experiences?

[Aussie camper]

These tables are made in South Africa (SA) I assume. In SA Front Runner 4x4 Tech sell them. (I put a web pic as attachement). I get the impression are used locally quite a bit. They are also sold in Australia where I am. Nobody however seems to have current stock or experience of them. So you can guess my drift... you SA adventurers probably have some useful field experience...I'm sick of cheap stuff breaking or just being awkward in storage or rusting and want things to last with regular use and in occasional rough weather.

Has anyone had experience with this type camping tables? They are the ones that have stainless steel tops and aluminium other bits (legs etc). The freestanding narrow ones sound great for a camp kitchen table, no rust, hygenic, easy cleaning etc however....Does any one know how stable they are? (We use most of our stuff away from the vehicle, so the vehicle clip on tables wouldn't suit) Would the tables, for example, take a gas stove, small gas cylinder and all the kitchen preparation stuff.. We use a locally made wooden Drifta table to eat around.

With their apparent positives its not a great prospect if your stove, plates and and/or washing up stuff go in the dirt with the slightest wind or knock. Love to hear from any with experience with them (good, bad or ugly experiences) Thanks, Fellow Adventurer.

[alanB]

Seeing that you arent getting a massive response I thought I would just say greetings from South Africa.

I use an aluminium table because its extremely light and packs very slim and flat and thus takes up virtually no space, it works well for me and is quite sturdy but is only about 1m square. I place a lot of emphasis on low weight and minimised packing space because I have quite a small vehicle (Daihatsu Rocky) and thus space is at a premium and I don't want a trailer. I would imagine the stainless steel table you are referring to is quite a bit bulkier and heavier.

This doesn't answer your question I know.

[Christo Davids]

Hi Aussiecamper

Welcome to the forum

I haven't seen or used the frontrunner one, but it looks quite sturdy. I have used an aluminium one sold locally at campworld and it is very stable

Frontrunner's products are all top quality and I would be comfortable recommending their products. We South Africans love to go camping, like you aussies and frontrunners products are some of the best available locally

Sorry I haven't got more info for you at this stage, but if their other products are anything to go by then you can't go wrong

[Tony Weaver]

I've tried out various tables over the years, and now swear by the plastic/resin compound ones. The one I use folds in half, and when fully extended is about two metres by one metre. Incredibly sturdy with locking legs, and easily handles a two plate stove, gas bottles, washing up bowls, and a couple of ammo boxes. I don't have experience with the stainless steel ones - the one drawback I can foresee is that it could be a bit blinding to work on in bright sunlight!

[TimJNB]

I've tried out various tables over the years, and now swear by the plastic/resin compound ones.

Hi Tony,

Do you perhaps have a website link to a supplier that shows a pic of the table/s you like?

I'm looking for a table myself and had been considering one of the small slatted aluminium ones that pack up nice and small.

The disadvantage of the slatted tables though is the gap between the slats which, for my specific use, is a problem.

I need to have a table I can set up next to my vehicle when working on site so that I have a surface to use as a tiny field workshop for electronics work.

Small things like screws and electronic components are going to fall through the slats.

I don't know what else to consider though which is why I'd like to see the table you're talking about.

Does anyone know if there's a manufacturer that makes one of the slatted aluminium tables with tongue-and-groove edging on the slats so that they 'lock' together to form a flat surface? That would be perfect.

Tim

[Niel]

I have a similar setup (pics taken by the manufacturer) but the table is strong and work well.

Have a look
http://www.hilux4x4.co.za/views/view...php?f=6&t=3284

[Aussie camper]

Thanks for your comments so far. I guess these tables are not so common as I thought. Mayble all the owners of these with experience are all in the field away from computers? If anyone is interested the The SA supplier is http://www.frontrunner.co.za/fr_products/camping.html. The photo came from an Australian distributor http://www.oppositelock.com.au/redes...9&itemID=RMAT1 I thinks the photo is of the bigger size and the smaller size looks the same except smaller. Cheers.

[gazza1210]

I am also a supporter of the compressed plastic over the stainless steel. The steel tables either heat up in the sun to the point where you roast yourself if you touch it or at the least it heats up any drink etc placed on the surface. Secondly the fold-up plastic table & bench system is much more robust and you never have to "panel beat" the surface to get dents out to so that you have a level top.The bench folds up into the table. I will attemp to get hold of a picture of the table I use.

[stadleroux]

These tables are made in South Africa (SA) I assume. In SA Front Runner 4x4 Tech sell them. (I put a web pic as attachement). I get the impression are used locally quite a bit. They are also sold in Australia where I am. Nobody however seems to have current stock or experience of them. So you can guess my drift... you SA adventurers probably have some useful field experience...I'm sick of cheap stuff breaking or just being awkward in storage or rusting and want things to last with regular use and in occasional rough weather.

Has anyone had experience with this type camping tables? They are the ones that have stainless steel tops and aluminium other bits (legs etc). The freestanding narrow ones sound great for a camp kitchen table, no rust, hygenic, easy cleaning etc however....Does any one know how stable they are? (We use most of our stuff away from the vehicle, so the vehicle clip on tables wouldn't suit) Would the tables, for example, take a gas stove, small gas cylinder and all the kitchen preparation stuff.. We use a locally made wooden Drifta table to eat around.

With their apparent positives its not a great prospect if your stove, plates and and/or washing up stuff go in the dirt with the slightest wind or knock. Love to hear from any with experience with them (good, bad or ugly experiences) Thanks, Fellow Adventurer.

Hi Aussie camper and welcome here. Your second post was quite correct; those tables are not as commonly available here as you might think, because they're relatively expensive. I don't remember if I've ever seen them in a camping shop, and I may have seen one or two belonging to campers themselves.

Hi Tony,

Do you perhaps have a website link to a supplier that shows a pic of the table/s you like?

I'm looking for a table myself and had been considering one of the small slatted aluminium ones that pack up nice and small.

The disadvantage of the slatted tables though is the gap between the slats which, for my specific use, is a problem.

I need to have a table I can set up next to my vehicle when working on site so that I have a surface to use as a tiny field workshop for electronics work.

Small things like screws and electronic components are going to fall through the slats.

I don't know what else to consider though which is why I'd like to see the table you're talking about.

Does anyone know if there's a manufacturer that makes one of the slatted aluminium tables with tongue-and-groove edging on the slats so that they 'lock' together to form a flat surface? That would be perfect.

Tim

Tim, I think this may be the type Tony is referring to:



They're available at Outdoor Warehouse with or without little benches that fit into special slots injection-moulded into the underside of the top for packing purposes. They're very sturdy, but the legs are of regular steel. The table itself is now R600 and the complete set R1000. Beware of cheap imitations though! I've seen cheaper versions of the same thing at Agrimark here in the Cape. The plastic was so thin you could dent a corner by pressing into it with your thumb...

[BigRed]

I just think that some of the local tables are WAAAAY to expensive for the quality one gets.

[JP]

Campworld also sells a fold up model in 3 x different sizes.
The top is from a moulded plastic and the feet, hinges and stays are from steel.

IIRC they are a fair bit cheaper than the one's sold @ ODW

[ZR6SGN]

I have the Campworld one that Johan mentioned. It is very sturdy and big enough for half to be under the gazebo for eating on and the other half to stick out with the Cobb standing on it for cooking. But best thing about it is that it is exactly the same size as the steel ones that you get in scout and community halls - so it fits perfectly under the trailer's roof-rack. This is the best table that we have tried to date and I haven't found any drawbacks yet.

[Damdan]

The plastic tables are VERY heavy, a bit bulky (if one doesnt use a trailer) and expensive, considering they are made in China.
Pay a bit more but rather have an alu table made up according to your own specs.
Our tables are made by Hannibal and Alu-Cab. The former company also exports on a weekly basis to Australia and their quality is outstanding. Maybe you should contact them directly (check website).

[Aussie camper]

Thanks Damdan and others for your feedback. Happy travels.

[Tony Weaver]

Hi all,

Thanks Stadleroux and 2510JP - that is exactly the table I was talking about. I have the one that folds in half, and it is incredibly sturdy and tough. Yes, Damdan, it is relatively heavy, but so far as I'm concerned, the two essentials of a good camp are comfortable chairs and a sturdy table.

I have wrecked too many camp tables (wooden slatted ones, aluminium ones, even the metal scout hall type) on rough roads to worry too much about the bit of extra weight. Mine in fact goes on top of my rooftop tent under the waterproof cover once I'm in the bush. The great thing about it as well is that for picnics etc, it fits perfectly into the well of the Defender boot.

And pushed together with my old scout hall table and covered with table cloths, I can seat 14 to 18 people for those long summer Sunday lunches around the pool under the wisteria!

[brennain]

Hi Aussie Camper, my dad has a table just like the one you're enquiring about, and I have one of the plastic ones Stadleroux was kind enough to post a pic of.

The steel topped table is lighter, although comments here about it getting hot in the sun are spot on - have your beer boiling in seconds! Although my table is heavier, i find it easier to work on. Both tables are very sturdy, and have been going awhile! (mine especially ). And if it's been made by Frontrunner, you cant go too far wrong.

Good luck!

[Leeu]

Hi Aussie Camper, Frontrunner also manufacture clamps for these stainless tables to fit underneath your roofrack of your vehicle. these stainless tops have aluminium legs and frame and Frontrunner even cut a hole inside them now for washing. I like these stainless tables a lot but is expensive. I currently have two aluminium tables that works well. almost the same, frame and legs fold into each other and lays flat when stored away. SA Greetings, Nico

[stadleroux]

Campworld also sells a fold up model in 3 x different sizes.
The top is from a moulded plastic and the feet, hinges and stays are from steel.

IIRC they are a fair bit cheaper than the one's sold @ ODW

Yep, I was at Campworld today to compare the price of cast-iron gas cookers, so I had a look at these tables too. I'd seen them there before, but never really paid much attention to them. Their medium-sized one - at least as big as the one at OW, but probably bigger, and quite sturdy in spite of the fact that the top folds double - is R469, ie R131 less than OW's version!

[Wagoneer69]

As hard as i try, i cant seem to fault the plastic table.
i have a few, ranging from 1m x 1m to 1.3 x 2m
also have the roll up aluminium slat one ( rolls up into a bag)

i must say, that usually i take one big table ( the alu one) for eating on) and the two small plastic fold ups on trips.. i seem to use both of them all the time (cutting) ( the "bathroom stuff") the bar...

basically, in my opinion. if you have the space ( under the roofrack) or likewise on the trailer.. i would go plastic... generally these spaces can only be used for tables. if, however you need the space, you will have to go the roll-up.. or fold types... but i guarentee you, at some stage you will be plagued with a finniky hinge or something on the fold ups... (especially on Aluminium).

Aus Camper, to answer your question, my strategy is simple is better.. A - its cheaper, and B - its what our parents used.. and they diddnt complain.

[Bosveld]

I have one of each of the tables discussed here, the roll-up aluminuim table, fold-out plastic tables and the stainless steel table.
Everyting said in previous posts are correct - the stainless table does get hot and will dent, etc. But is also not that heavy and fit neatly under the roofrack - easy to access and to pack away and is using space that can't be utilised otherwise. It is sturdy enough to do cooking, cutting, etc on. Easy to clean.
I bought it with the required brackets from Frontrunner. It is more expensive than the plastic fold out type, but it serve a specific purpose as I also don't have much space when packing for a longish trip. This one usually goes with when overlanding.
The plastic table is normally packed when I go camping and I use the trailer to carry the load. Also very handy and steady.
The roll-up table serves as an add on to both the others as it does not take up to much space.

I suppose each table has it's pro's and cons. It normally comes down to personal preference, budget and space available.