Coleman 32 by 48 Inch Folding Table

The graphic image at Coleman and at Amazon appear as though the table top is some sort of design embossed aluminum sheet. That would be great! That's what I expected. However, when it arrived, the product carton indicated it was MDF (Multi-density fiberboard). Sure enough, it's that glued wood dust pressed into a flat board shape just like kids toys are made of. I wish I would have known before ordering. The Coleman site didn't advise of that and neither did the Amazon site. I don't blame Amazon. I think they just post manufacturer's provided information. Anyway, now you know. MDF. Only place you'll find that tidbit of information is on the product carton.

I wish an owner's manual had been available for download for my pre-sales research. I would have known that the setup/takedown is a multi-step procedure that I would find aggravating and excessively time consuming in a pummeling rainstorm, or in a mosquito feeding frenzy, or with sweat dripping into my eyes. Each leg swings down and locks into place like a card table but each of the 4 legs is only a half-leg. Additionally, you've got to insert 4 leg extensions into 4 receiver tubes, aligning 4 spring loaded pins so they meet with a hole and snap into position, then, you've got to swing down 4 rotating lock bars to mate with 4 pegs to hold the leg extensions, then you've got to hold the table open while flipping it right side up. The table doesn't lock into an open position. The table relies upon its own weight and the weight of items on top of it to remain flat during use. After forcing 5 sleeping bags and the tent into their respective stuff sacks, along with all the other duties at a camp site, this lengthy setup/takedown is just too much for me to add to the campsite regimen for just one table.

It's a nice sturdy aluminum frame. It would be almost a perfect table if the top was aluminum and the legs were quick to setup/takedown.

It's rated for 300 pounds? Well, maybe, if you distributed the weight over the entire surface and gently lowered that weight onto the table and then didn't touch it after the weight was placed. Nevertheless, I will say that once assembled, it's just about as sturdy as any portable table I've used. It will wobble some but no worse than any others. In other words, if one of the kids kicks the table or if somebody bumps against it, all the drinks will probably slosh or tip so closed containers would be a great idea.

Is it a good camping table? Yeah. MDF is better than plastic. It does have some stout aluminum crossbraces under the MDF. I just wish the top had been aluminum. I would have tolerated the multi-stepped assembly procedure if the top had been aluminum.

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This table serves its purpose however it is not the sturdiest table I've ever used. It is quite light so it wiggles a little bit. I'm also not a big fan of the pattern on top.

I bought it because I move frequently and live in a tiny NY apartment. I also use it for selling art on the street which is great for that. I'm glad that a table exists that is actually portable for a subway commuter such as myself. At home it is a very roomy table and was much bigger than I expected (which is great).

We planned our son's college grad party in our backyard and were looking for a well built fold up table and this fit the bill. We'll use it for camping and when we have extra guests coming over this summer. Delivery was fast!