In-depth review
Coleman Pack-Away 4-in-1 Folding Table Review (2027)
The Coleman 4-in-1 splits into two tables at three heights. Our research-based verdict on the most versatile camp table in this guide.
Coleman Pack-Away 4-in-1 Folding Table (2000018147)
Two tables that split, join, stack or stand apart: one purchase that becomes a square table, a buffet, a bi-level stand or two coffee tables.
Our verdict
The Coleman 4-in-1 is the camp table to buy when one purchase must cover dinner, serving and drinks across a weekend. Two tables join into a square, stretch into a buffet, stack into a bi-level stand, or split into two coffee tables, all at heights from 14.5 to 31.5 inches, on a 300 lb rated aluminium frame. The limits are honest: the tops are not for stoves or very hot items, the first setup takes learning, and a seam remains where the halves meet. For a camper who hosts, serves and dines outdoors, those are acceptable costs for unmatched flexibility.
What we like
- Two included tables can be used separately, end to end, side by side, or as a bi-level serving station
- Three heights at 14.5, 27.5 and 31.5 inches cover coffee-table height, dining height and a taller serving height
- Aluminum frame with a maker-rated 300 lb capacity handles a loaded buffet without the top sagging in the middle
- Folds to about 24 by 3 by 16 inches with a carry handle, so it stores flat against a car boot wall
What to watch out for
- MDF-style prep surfaces are not made for stoves or very hot items, per the maker guidance
- Joining brackets and height changes take a few minutes to learn, so the first setup is slower than a single fold-out table
- Each half is only 31.5 by 15.75 inches, so a full dinner setting for four needs both halves joined
What owners report: Coleman Pack-Away 4-in-1 Folding Table (2000018147)
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Splitting the pair for separate jobs, then joining them for dinner, is the trick owners mention most.
- Low coffee-table height works well beside camp chairs, where a dining-height table would feel too tall.
- Carry handle and flat fold make it easy to slide into a loaded car without a separate bag hunt.
Common complaints
- First setup takes patience until the joining brackets and height locks become familiar.
- Hot pans and camp stoves need a separate heat-safe surface, since the tops are not made for direct heat.
- A seam remains where the two halves meet, which shows when writing or playing cards across the join.
Who it is for
Campers, tailgaters and backyard hosts who want one table that changes shape through the day, from coffee by the chairs to a buffet for guests.
Four tables in one purchase
The trick is not a gimmick: two 31.5 by 15.75 inch tables, each with its own legs, can stand alone as coffee tables, sit side by side as a square dining table, line up end to end as a buffet, or stack at different heights as a bi-level serving station. That range covers the jobs that usually need two or three separate tables, and it does so in a flat-fold bundle with a carry handle. For a tailgate or a family pitch, the ability to re-shape the table between lunch and dinner is the feature that justifies the purchase.
Height is the second trick
Three heights change how the table fits the group. At 14.5 inches it sits beside low camp chairs as a coffee table. At 27.5 inches it becomes a dining table for standard chairs. At 31.5 inches it rises to a serving height for a buffet line. Few camp tables offer that range, and fewer still offer it on both halves, so a bi-level setup can put drinks low and food high in the same station.
The limits to plan around
First, heat: the maker guidance rules out stoves and extremely hot items on these tops, so a separate heat-safe surface or a stove stand is still needed for cooking. Second, setup: joining brackets and height locks take a few minutes to learn, and the first outing will be slower than a single fold-out table. Third, the seam: joined halves leave a line down the middle, which matters for writing and card games more than for dining. None of these breaks the table's case, but all three should shape how it is used.
Key specifications
- Each table top
- 31.5 by 15.75 inches
- Heights
- 14.5, 27.5 and 31.5 inches
- Capacity
- 300 lb (maker rating)
- Frame
- Polished aluminum
- Weight
- 12.3 lb, per Amazon fields
- Folded size
- 24 by 3 by 16 inches
Also consider
Lifetime Commercial Adjustable Folding Table, 4-Foot (80160)
The adjustable-height workhorse: a 48 by 24 inch HDPE top that drops to child height, sits at dining height, or rises to counter height.
Why consider it: A single adjustable-height table with a higher 350 lb rating and a hard HDPE top, for buyers who want one surface, not two
- Open size: 48 by 24 inches, heights 24 to 36 inches
- Heights: 24, 29 and 36 inches
Coleman Outdoor Folding Table, 27.6-Inch Square (2000020279)
A square aluminium slat table that snaps together, seats four, and packs into its own carry bag.
Why consider it: A simpler square table for four at dining height, for buyers who want one shape and a faster setup
- Open size: 27.6 by 27.6 by 27.6 inches
- Seating: 4, per Amazon fields
Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Can the two Coleman tables be used as one long buffet?
Yes. Place them end to end for a long buffet, or side by side for a square dining table, using the included brackets to join them. The buffet layout suits serving lines, while the square layout suits a seated meal for four.
Can I put a camp stove on the Coleman 4-in-1?
No, not directly. The maker guidance says the tables are not recommended for stoves or extremely hot items. Use a separate stove stand, such as the Coleman Pack-Away Kitchen side stand, and keep the 4-in-1 for dining and serving.
How small does the Coleman 4-in-1 pack down?
About 24 by 3 by 16 inches folded, with a carry handle. That flat shape stores against a car boot wall or a garage shelf, though it still needs a slot wider than 24 inches.
Every guide on Camp Tables15 pages
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- Best ofThe Best Camp Tables (2027)
- Folding tables win on speed: unfold, lock and eat. This ranking judges them the way a car boot judges them, by folded size first, then by height range, then by how much weight the top can honestly carry. A folding table that needs a roof box or a trailer has failed its own category, whatever its open size.The Best Folding Camp Tables (2027)
- Lightweight tables are judged by a different rule: the best one is the one that actually leaves the car. A table that weighs little but packs awkwardly still stays behind, while a slightly heavier table in a neat bag gets carried to the beach, the trailhead and the fire circle every time.The Best Lightweight Camp Tables (2027)
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