Five Best Folding Tables for Teardrop Trailers

Unless you've built a custom table into your teardrop design, most teardrop trailers do not have a dining table. In fact, many teardrop trailer owners bring several tables along on trips to create a dining/food prep area that tends to be lacking in these tiny trailers.

Of course, the best types of camping tables are folding versions, but you also want them to be lightweight, easy to set up and durable. They should also be easy to clean and should not take up too much space in a tight campsite, teardrop trailer bed or vehicle trunk. These are the five best tables I've run into over the years.

Ozark Trail Fold-in-Half Grilling Camp Table

This is our personal cooking/prepping/dining table. We were looking for something that would be safe for putting our Coleman stove on as well as to use for both eating and prepping. We also wanted something very light and easy to carry. I can carry this table with one hand using the handy handle. It does take two people to unfold and set into place because of its ratcheting legs, but this table is really sturdy and has a little paper towel holder.

Available at WalMart

Alps Mountaineering Camp Table

The first time I saw this table was on a whitewater rafting trip. The guides pulled this miraculous little table out of a bag they carried on their shoulders, folded out the legs and unrolled and attached the surface of the table. It's small, but so light, you can afford to bring several of them along for food prep and dining. For their size, they are also pretty sturdy.

Available at CampSaver

Westfield Folding Table with Storage Bins

This compact, folding table not only has some great storage space, but the legs can be adjusted to four different heights. The two cloth storage containers zip up to keep food and cooking items clean.

Available at Camping World

Eureka Catskill Table

Not only is this folding table large enough to seat four people, but it also has one adjustable foot to level it on uneven ground. This table also has some storage space underneath including two bottle holsters and a paper towel rack. It also has webbing for clipping on camping tools.

Available at CampMor

Ozark Trail Aluminum Side Table

I really don't know what we would do without a few of these little aluminum tables. We've used them for roadside lunch breaks, as cocktail tables, prep tables and even as showering and bath tables. They are super light and we just keep one or two of them on the teardrop trailer bed while towing the trailer. They are indispensable for teardrop trailer traveling.

Available from WalMart

What clothes do you carry in the teardrop?

I carry a full set of clothes in my side of the teardrop trailer cupboards at all times. Having all my clothes in the teardrop makes packing much easier, and all I have to do is grab my hiking boots (or I just wear them) and maybe a puffer jacket for colder temps and off we go.

Flip flops for hot weather and public showers. My camp shoes were $5 at a sports store clearance.

 The space for my clothes is very small: about 25 inches wide by 11 inches deep. The vertical space is barely another 11 inches since it slopes down at the back. The cupboard shares space with our two small towels, our toiletries box, and my husband's clothing. His clothing consists of just some sweat pants and a sweater, a couple pairs of underwear and socks, his camp slippers, some shorts and a T-shirt. He's REALLY minimalist, but sometimes lacks items for extreme up or down temperatures.

I keep several pairs of undies, sports bras, socks and a hat in a small sunflower bag.
I also have a swimsuit and a small packable shopping bag that we use for laundry (the strawberry).

Even though I don't like to have a lot of things in the teardrop, I tend to hang on to a lot of clothes. Where we camp tends to have crazy weather, and in one day you could change your clothes two or three times to stay comfortable. However, I'm surprised how much I can fit into a space about 275 square inches.

My outer layers consist of a Sierra Designs rainjacket and a Patagonia fleece.
We are lucky to have a Patagonia outlet where we live.

I think the key might be in the folding, I tightly roll or fold all my items and stack them according to temperature needs. Unfortunately, even during short trips, I will find myself sitting on the teardrop bed, pulling all the clothes out, refolding them and stacking them back in again. I'm pretty bad when it comes to putting clothes back in the cupboard while camping. When rushed, I'll just toss them in and close the door really fast.

Other warm items include a puffy vest that folds into its own bag and some long (very colorful) underwear.

I will store a few items under my pillow. Usually a warm puffer or fleece jacket will go under my pillow, or I'll put socks or hats in the netting above the bed. Having a wide range of clothing that can be used in all situations comes in handy when traveling through various locations.

I have a few items for sleeping including two long sleeved T-shirts and a long, fleece bottom.

Having said that—my teardrop wardrobe won't really take me to a fancy restaurant or a ball. I actually went to the thrift store to shop for my teardrop wardrobe to keep the cost down and I don't carry any "nice" clothes for going out at night. In fact, dressing up means putting on our clean jeans and knocking the dirt off our hiking boots.

Clothing for warm weather includes two tank tops, three T-shirts and two shorts.
I'll sometimes sleep in the gray shorts if it's hot at night.

I only bring one other pair of pants. I'll usually be wearing my hiking pants while traveling,
but my comfy jeans wait for me in the cupboard. These are for "dressing up."