In-depth review
Coleman RoadTrip 285 Portable Grill Review (2027)
The RoadTrip 285 brings three-burner zone control to a folding stand-up cart. Our research-based verdict for tailgates and car camping.
Coleman RoadTrip 285 Stand-Up Grill
The three-burner tailgate cart: real zone control on legs that fold in seconds.
Our verdict
The RoadTrip 285 is the only grill in this guide that cooks like a backyard grill, with three adjustable burners letting one side sear while another keeps food warm. Its folding stand and wheels make it a true parking-lot and campsite grill, and its 285 sq in grate feeds a crowd. Hot spots and a bulky folded package are the costs, but tailgaters who cook varied menus will find no better portable control.
What we like
- Three independently adjustable burners totalling 20,000 BTU, the only true multi-zone control in this guide
- 285 sq in of cooking area with quick-fold legs and two wheels for fast setup and takedown
- Instastart push-button ignition lights without matches, a small thing that matters with cold hands
- Integrated side tables keep tools and trays off the ground at the tailgate
What to watch out for
- The stand-up design is bulky when folded, and it fills a trunk the way a folded chair never does
- Heat runs uneven across the grate, with hotter and cooler patches owners learn to cook around
- Cleaning the drip area and burner covers takes more effort than on a simple single-burner tabletop
What owners report: Coleman RoadTrip 285 Stand-Up Grill
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Tailgaters love running burgers on high on one side while keeping beans and buns warm on the other
- Setup speed gets constant praise, with the legs unfolding and locking without tools or fuss
- The stand height suits long cooking sessions, sparing backs that tabletop grills punish
Common complaints
- Hot spots across the grate mean food needs rotating, which first-time owners discover mid-cook
- The folded package is bigger than buyers picture from photos, and trunk space gets tight
- Grease and drip cleanup is the chore owners mention most after a fatty tailgate menu
Who it is for
Tailgaters and car campers who cook varied menus for a crowd and want zone control on a grill that stands anywhere.
Three burners change the menu
Single-burner grills force a choice: sear everything at one heat or cook in sequence. The RoadTrip's three burners totalling 20,000 BTU let burgers sear on high while beans stay warm and buns toast gently, which is how a tailgate actually runs. Owners describe this as the difference between cooking for a crowd and performing for one: the grill holds a whole menu at once instead of a single dish at a time.
Stand, wheels and setup speed
The quick-fold legs and two wheels set up in seconds without tools, and the stand height suits long sessions without bending over a tabletop. Side tables hold tools and trays off the ground, which matters more in a gravel lot than a product page suggests. The trade is folded bulk: the package fills a trunk in a way that surprises first-time owners, so trunk space deserves a check before purchase.
Hot spots and cleanup, the honest costs
Heat runs uneven across the grate, and owners learn to rotate food between hotter and cooler patches. It is a manageable quirk rather than a defect, but first cooks can scorch one side while undercooking the other. Cleanup also takes more effort than a simple single-burner grill, with drip areas and burner covers needing attention after fatty menus. Neither cost outweighs the zone control for the right buyer, but both should be known before buying.
Key specifications
- Cooking area
- 285 sq in (maker rating)
- Output
- 20,000 BTU total, 3 adjustable burners (maker rating)
- Ignition
- Instastart push-button ignition
- Design
- Quick-fold legs with 2 wheels and side tables
- Fuel
- Liquid propane
- Model
- 2000033676
Also consider
Weber Traveler Portable Gas Grill
The stand-up cart grill that folds with one hand and feeds a crowd without needing a table.
Why consider it: A bigger single grate on a premium folding cart, for buyers who value setup over zone control
- Cooking area: 320 sq in (maker rating)
- Output: 13,000 BTU, single burner (maker rating)
Weber Q2200 Liquid Propane Grill
The big tabletop Q: 280 sq in and 12,000 BTU in a body that still rides in the car.
Why consider it: A larger tabletop grate for tailgaters who always bring a table
- Cooking area: 280 sq in (maker rating)
- Output: 12,000 BTU, single stainless steel burner (maker rating)
Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
How do I manage the RoadTrip's hot spots?
Learn the grate on the first cooks: place a test round of burgers across the surface and note which areas sear fastest. Then rotate food through the zones deliberately, keeping delicate items on the cooler patches and searing on the hot ones. The hot spots become a feature once mapped, not a flaw to fight.
Is the RoadTrip 285 good for camping?
Yes, for car camping, where its stand and wheels shine and its bulk is no penalty. For walk-in or tight-packing trips it is the wrong grill: the folded package is large and heavy for one person to haul far. Match it to car-accessible sites and it is excellent; match it to a hike and it is a burden.
What fuel does the RoadTrip 285 use?
Liquid propane, with the standard small cylinders for short trips and an adapter hose option for a 20 lb tank on longer stays. Three burners at 20,000 BTU total use fuel faster than a single-burner grill, so pack a spare cylinder for a full tailgate day.
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