Drew, I always learn something from your videos... (I’m ordering a Sportneer table.) But what I really appreciate is seeing the relationship you have with East. You allow him to be who he is, and you and your wife are giving your children a beautiful beginning to their journey through life. I hope that others will see this and do their best. 🙏🏼
I appreciate that David! We learn something every time we make these videos as well. If Sportneer wouldn't have reached out to us we would have had no idea we were missing a low profile table. We would never leave home now without something that height. We really appreciate the kind comment about our guidance with the children. We are still learning everyday, making a lot of mistakes, but at the same time learning a lot of really neat ways to interact with our little ones. You learn quickly that they can do a lot more than you think they can at that age. Allowing them to explore deeper into some of our own passions has really helped us see how amazing their developing brains pick up on things.
I'd love to see a video on how to parent while camping. How to keep kids clean, fed, entertained, happy, and learning for different ages. It is something that comes up frequently in parenting camping groups.
Great suggestion Suzanna! We are not experts by any means in this area. But someday May and I will need to sit around a campfire and make a video hitting these areas. We would have a few things to share as we are both early childhood educators and have gleaned some interesting tips and tricks throughout our careers. We have a coworker who is the queen of this sort of thing. We may have to talk her into sitting down with us and doing the episode with her. We do have a video though on our philosophy of camping with children. It does hit a couple of the points you mentioned. Here is the link to that video czcams.com/video/c5D9GUwOLik/video.html
Glad to hear you enjoyed it! It was a really special trip for me as a father. Fun to see the little guy so excited about something that I love as well.
I love watching your videos! You explain in detail and talk about everything. I like that you talk about items you actually use and recommend. I'm learning a lot with your videos! Thanks! Love your little boy!
Thank you guys! It has been fun with East. As you could see it was a little tough to watch at first, because he was kind of rough. We expected this though from a three year old. But, by the end of the trip he was releasing fish without taking them to the bank and holding them very gently. Still not quite able to keep him fully submersed and do an underwater release, but we are getting there. Amazing how quick these little ones can pick up on these outdoor pursuits. It is fun to see his respect grow for these creatures and the water they live in. Thanks as usual for the support. Love watching your fishing videos as well!
Drew, this has been one of the most enjoyable and informative video I have watched!!! Congratulations to you on receiving those precious dandelions from your son! Also, the relationship between you and your son while fishing reminds of of my Dad “Papi” and me! We went fishing so many times and those beautiful memories are with me to this day!!! Excellent video, Drew!!! Blessings galore to you and yours!!! We sure hope we get to meet you when we travel to Alaska!!!
Love the sweet comment Mirna! With the age of our boys and everything going on lately we probably won’t be outside of Alaska very much so the chances are pretty good will be able to see each other. Glad this video was enjoyable for you, it was really fun for us to make!
That is funny. I wonder if that was a bit of a Freudian slip. To be honest I am a huge fan of Cabelas (huge!), and was a bit bummed when Bass Pro bought them out. Glad you are enjoying the channel.
Hey Drew... you did it again... another great and informative video. A few years ago we purchased a collapsible table for a family member... as soon as they opened it up, we knew we wanted one too. Sometimes that’s the best way to discover products. Buy it for somebody else and let them test it out. And I like the way you incorporate your gear into storage and travel. Great job.
Yes!!! Glad this was helpful David. It was really a fun one to make. Funny that we can geek out on tables. Sounds like a boring topic, but once I got going I realized I love these little fold-able, collapsible things. Funny on your gift suggestion. We do the same with our family. We often purchase things that we think they would like, but know we would like as well. Great to make someone else happy, while getting a little glimpse yourself at an item you may one day end up owning.
Hello, my friends!!! Another outstanding/helpful video. Looking forward to getting our camper lives started . . . Amidst all the political turmoil/uncertainty in the US right now, your videos are like a breath of fresh air. Keep 'em coming!!!
Love positive comments like this! Thank you so much. Glad to hear you are enjoying them and they are doing more than just adding more noise to this busy world we live in.
Oh my gawwwd I'm so happy u mentioned Stanley brand, I've been collecting them for my camping gear, they are affordable and durable and also remind me of my grandfather 🤗
They really are affordable aren't they! We were surprised when we linked this item shown in the description. That is so neat that it reminds you of your grandfather as well Raquel!
@@PlayingwithSticks idk if you guys have herd of the cook sets that have a small pot and two bowls or the base camp cook set, that keeps everything all together for a family of 4! Also I have been looking into chuck boxes, alot of people who are a little handy make their own. Have you ever seen these or herd of these?
@@raquelsandoval3851 My grandparents had a chuckbox, but until you told us the term we never had heard it before. Did a Google search. Neat how many different styles there are. We also didn't know Stanley had these larger sets. Love how they are nested.
Thank you for this video...I was alittle slow on how to snap on the table part but, after putting it upside down I figured it out... The black and red table is really cool for camping and the beach
Pretty neat isn't it Pam! We took it out again today for a picnic while berry picking. We didn't end up using it, but that is the beauty of such a small table. You can take it with you almost anywhere and use it you need it, and if not no big deal it didn't take up too much space.
I like the iclimb 4 person table - they come in smaller sizes too - very sturdy. I have the iclimb folding compact chair on my radar too. The added netted shelf fabric on their tables adds double duty when you want it - drying dishes, games, etc…
I just started watching your videos. Actually the one about Valiant inspired us to find a more local version (Escapade) that is currently waiting in the order queue to be fabricated. Thank you for posting these useful videos! I learn something every time. We just purchased a Trekology and will be testing it out in the boundary waters.
Those Escapade's are neat little campers. I like that they are built a little longer than your standard teardrop and squaredrop. We have heard nothing but good things about the Trekology. That is what inspired us to find a table like the Sportneer table in the video.
Let's talk tables everyone! What tables are we missing here from the review? Do you own similar tables to ours? What is your experience with them? Oh, and don't forget to stick around to see Eli's table and channel. As requested there are a ton of links below to all the tables, cooking gear, and channels mentioned in this video.
Huge help on tables! LOVE all your other vid’s too. And REALLY REALLY appreciate you comments on teaching the children and even more about being willing & open to new ideas and willing to be “wrong”. Although I don’t generally think of wrong per say. Your openness on this point will do probably THE biggest thing there is to advancing you little guys,... as they see that in you. HUGE. Anyway a huge thank you from the rest of the planet (if I can be so pretentious as to speak for the world en mass,... ha ) for how you are raising your guys and relating with nature. ( P.S. - I’m guessing he might have been washing the flowers as he likely say you washing the fish, but just a guess, might have been where he got if from. ) Cheers, and Namaste ! ;-)
Good point on the term "wrong." It is more of a relative thing for many of the ideas/thoughts in this big beautiful world. Good point on the flowers. I never even associated it with fishing. I was thinking it was from prepping produce at home, which he does a lot. But, you are right because he even put them in the fridge, which in an earlier scene you can see them when I pull out the eggs. He was cleaning and storing just like we do until we can get to a nice beautiful section of land to fillet.
I have one of those little tables, & I specifically got it to use as a bedside next to my cot. It's the perfect height for that task, to sit my water bottle + my lantern + book on, & to not have to sort of reach out at an awkward angle when I want something. It's exactly the right height to be comfortable. I think they're actually _meant_ to be side tables for your campfire chairs, but they work beautifully for this other use, too.
Lovely video (your family is darling as usual) and I especially love the first table for the 5 gal. water jug. When we boondock, that is always an issue. Thanks
Thanks for the sweet comment Robin. Funny how we get something we WANT and find out it is something we NEED. Well, maybe we don't need it, but it sure makes things a bit more convenient.
Glad you are liking them Norman. I'm trying my best to be a good man. Learning new lessons everyday from my mistakes. That vibe you are probably picking up on is my nerd vibe. It runs strong in this one.
Most of your viewers are probably campers...so this might not be a thing... But when you say that it's a 5 gallon jug, some people might not know that 5 gallons is over 40 lbs. That's a decent amount of weight being supported by that little table. I'll be interested in a construction quality review after you've had it for a while. Secondly, your focus on height is really helpful. For minimalist camping, you really have to pick and choose your accessories. Getting a product that nails it's functionality is huge. Your insight is very much appreciated. Finally...like...of course your son is ridiculously adorable. Like...of course. However, for this valediction, I'm going to go in a different direction. As a San Francisco dweller, seeing that other dude (Sam?) rep the Dubs...noice. GSW in the AK? All day.
Good point on the weight. It is quite heavy. Some future video we are going to have to highlight lighter water jugs. There are a lot of really neat thin, low profile just being created now for the overland community. After hauling around these little 5lb jugs for quite a few years I can vouch that they are awkward, a bit dangerous as you carry them over different tripping hazards, and don't pack the nicest. But, they do the job for now. As for the San Fransisco comment you are the first person to say something nice about this. Poor Uncle Sam. He gets quite a lot of flack on here from folks for all his Niner and GSW gear. But everyone does it in a nice joking way. Our family also gives Sam a hard time. But, we will admit he loved both teams in their tough years, so he is pretty proud to let you know he isn't a band wagon fan. Typically up here everyone is a Sea hawks fan, but many of the Asian families are from the Bay Area or have family there (which is our connection as well).
@@PlayingwithSticks I used to have a local noodle shop. They made fresh noodles and dumplings in the front window. I know it was partially for show, but they were great. Because of Covid, they've closed down now, and I miss them. Those 5 gal. jugs are work horses. They do what you need them to do. That said, I totally hear you, carrying them can be awkward and potentially hazardous. You've done a couple of videos where you, basically, show your set-up. Those videos have been helpful. As for the Sam/SF thing...Sam seems like a young guy. But he looks like he's old enough to have lived through Eric Musselman as a Dubs coach and Jim Tomsula as a 9ers coach. To be a Bay Area sports fan is to know pinnacles of joy and soul-crushing pain...and not much else. Uncle Sam has this over the Seattle crowd; it's bad that the 9ers moved to Santa Clara but it's worse...by a lot...that the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma. Eat it Seattle (but...if we're being honest...Russell Wilson is pretty great)
We really have wanted to make that video Oscar. But, unfortunately almost every chair we use is no longer being made. And we love each one so much we have no desire to get anything else. Definitely a bummer. Tough knowing we have something great and can't share it with the world.
Playing with Sticks please do a video on kids camping gear. I have a 3 year old, we are new to camping and I want to invest on items that will last. What hiking shoe brand do you recommend? We mainly do car camping in Yosemite and Tahoe.
@@thetagalogproject9744 We are kind of backed up on content at the moment, but most Alaskans use a pretty dated, but great book called Babes in the Woods: Hiking, Camping, and Boating with Babies and Young Children. Although it feels a bit dated all the gear they recommended, safety precautions, etc. are all very modern and still apply today. Here is the link www.amazon.com/Babes-Woods-Camping-Boating-Children/dp/1594853436/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=babes+in+the+woods&qid=1598682933&sr=8-1
@@thetagalogproject9744 For three year olds unfortunately we cannot find a good shoe out there. But, luckily they don't need a whole lot of ankle support as they don't weigh too much. A good old pair of tennis shoes and some backup rain boots for playing in the puddles, rivers, and lakes. As for us adults...any shoe that has Vibram soles. We typically use Vasque and Scapas for backpacking. And Merrill's and Keens for day trips. All these brands of shoes will probably outlast you :) They are built very well. Yosemite and Tahoe, such beautiful areas!
Our teardrop table is just a molded plastic 2' x 4' table from Cosco with folding legs. It has easily adjustable legs that can be coffee table height, standard height and counter height, so, very versatile. It is lightweight, easily fits in our tear drop and is quite sturdy. Since it is counter height, works great as a food prep table as well. Besides our two folding camping chairs, we also have a Gorilla aluminum folding scaffold, 12" x 4' and 16" tall, that works as a bench at our table (with a piece of carpet for padding), works as a coffee table, guest seating and assists me in getting bikes off the roof of our truck or items off the tear drop.
This was good timing for us! We just went camping in our pop-up and our griddle melted our stove!!! We are thinking of getting a kitchen table instead. Going to check out that GCI table and the channel! Thanks for another great video!
Our pleasure Carol! As for camping channels, most of the ones we watch are more dedicated to small camper trailer camping. The channels we watch most in no particular order. Okay, maybe these first two are in order but the rest we watch pretty evenly. Cosmo Weems and Slim Potatohead followesd by Elsa Rhae ad Barron, Charles Moman, Hangin with Herky (last two channels mentioned are Runaway trailer owners), Camp and Camera. We also watch a few channels that are not small camper related. From She to Me (great resource for sprinter van owners), less Junk More Journey (good family based channel pulling larger travel trailers), Long Long Honeymoon (just great CZcams personalities also tow larger trailers), and last but not least Cheap RV Living, which is one of the greatest resources for going full time for anyone who own a van, truck, small trailer, even a tent.
I've been passing by the Ozark Trail branded small folding table for a while and might just pick one up now. Something simple to pop open some when I'm rooting through the 12V fridge in the truck cab back seat I'll have a place to put stuff for the moment. I went with the Coleman basic pack away kitchen over the lifetime because I liked the lantern hook and how small it packs down. Also, I have a generic named large accordion style aluminum the table with the shock cord attached slats. They can be a little frustrating to get the hang of at first!
I think they are easy to pass by because they are low in cost and found everywhere. I think this could give the impression that they are of poor quality. But, quite the opposite. The reason you mentioned with the fridge is how we primarily use the Ozark table lately. Wherever we need a little extra counter space or room we quickly move the little table to that spot. It was a huge blessing in the Scamp is we often struggled to find enough counter space during meal prep and cleanup. When researching tables the shock cord variety interested us as well. We may have to try one someday. Like I said in the video, sometimes just the novelty of the newer styles are fun to try out.
@@PlayingwithSticks I should clarify that I meant just physically walking past them at wally world. Your video got me thinking perhaps I should try one out! On another note my SO and I were looking at Scamps (online) due the the number of storms this summer. In my little tent it is disheartening or i just cancel the trip, but if I had a little cabin I would still want to venture out.
That is awesome to here! We put that table in the description hoping people would share their experience with it. The Lifetime table we highlighted, great as it is, is often back ordered online. Thanks again for sharing your insight.
@@PlayingwithSticks I purchased the 17" Blackstone. I was thinking about other types of camp grills to supplement the camp stove and went with the Blackstone for overall ease of use with the ease of cleanup being a big factor. P.S. Purchased one of the GCI tables yesterday. Just waiting for it to arrive.
Great review. I'm looking for small table for my camping cooking videos and I think this first table is good for the price ($20 on Amazon). Greetings from Spain🇪🇸👍
@@tony1nvy Wow, sounds like an amazing deal. Did you check to make sure it was the same model? GCI makes quite a few different camp tables. Typically their $40 table is a fold-able table similar to our Bass Pro aluminum table shown in this video. However, the GCI version is of a higher quality. It is pretty hard to find the kitchen cook table lower than $79. If you find out it is the kitchen table let us know and we will tell the community!
Yes it's the GCI one. Normally $99 on their website. On sale for $69, then clearance to $49. 20% coupon brought it down to $40. I watched your video and the someone posted the coupon on a FB page I follow. Definitely a great deal.
Thanks for the video. I always love to see your family in the wild. I don't know if this was mentioned in the comments but you might be able to fit PVC pipe to the legs of the short table to raise to exactly the height you want.
Nobody has mentioned this yet Brian. Such a simple idea, but we wouldn't have came up with that ourselves. We will have to try that out. I could use a few more inches on there.
I have a fold up table thats a bit short, I push the pole stops in and extend it beyond the the legs it slides out of. The legs are prone to fall off if lifted, but I dont lift the table once its setup. Not sure that will work for you but it could help.
I like the short table. I once had the type that is half plastic top and half metal grid. But have found I always prefer tables with each leg being adjustable. I have two different ones now that I can adjust for uneven ground. None are perfect, but they work better for me.
I have an Aliner Ranger 10 with propane tanks but I do all my cooking outside (in fact I removed inside stove for more room). I was looking for a super sturdy table to put a propane stove on that I could run off my tongue propane tanks. It needed to be standing height for cooking, stable, and portable. What I finally settled on was a table meant for the construction trade, the WORX WX066 Sidekick, on Amazon for $60. It holds 300 pounds and is very sturdy. The downsides are you need more room for storage then some of the others and the way it folds up the legs stick out on the sides, and since it is meant for construction it has holes/fastening points on it . This has not affected my purposes for it at all though. I have taken it out several times and cooked with it and it works great.
We usually have recipes for things like this and would be glad to give it to you. 90% of our food at home is SE Asian and most the recipes are from a cook May learned from in Thailand. However, this one was just us throwing together a bunch of ingredients and doing a blend between SE Asian and Indian style curry. We wish we wrote this one down because it turned out really good!
I like the aluminium table. It's the right fireside table. I have one that is made from polyester and I'm afraid to have it too close to the fire or cook on it because it might melt. I have one similar to your on order but as you say it's kinda low and small. I think I need to consider a "drifta kitchen box".
Thank you for sharing the Drifta Kitchens. These are new to us. After watching their videos they appear to be a modern take on the old Chuck Boxes our grandparents used to haul around.
When you were doing the table test you had the water jug different on the table test, one that stable was with the length of the runner's, the unstable one was opposite of the runner's.
I noticed that in the video as well. I should have commented about that. The legs on the aluminum taller table are so narrow if you put the jug going the other direction it actually can tip over quite easily. The direction in the video is the most stable direction, but it does sway more (more sway, but less tip). Thanks for catching that.
It would be really tight it is 22" by 16" I believe. You could do it, but you would have to be pretty thoughtful about where you are placing everything each hand.
Wow, you are so generous my friend. THANK YOU SO MUCH for the kind words and the nice shoutout. We are truly humbled. I am absolutely buying that Sportneer side table. Thanks for such a nice and detailed review. Thanks again Drew and please say hi to your lovely bride and kids. Eli and Fawn
We honestly meant every word we said. Love your family and your channel! May and East say hi. No tangible words from Rye...yet. But we are hoping words and walking will be any day now. Late July seems to be a slower time for our channel. Hoping the video takes off a bit so people can get the chance to discover you guys!
Great video! Thanks for the good info on tables. My son was watching with me and asked about the trailer and tent you passed just before the Valiant. I believe you called it a Blue Swell, or something like that. My son wanted more information on it, so I tried searching for it but couldn't find anything. If you know more about these, or where I can find out about them, I'd appreciate a quick tip. Thanks!
We were intrigued by it as well. We did a bit of research. Appears to be both a company and a CZcams brand. Yes Blue Swell is the name. Seems like they have an overland CZcams channel. I haven't looked it up in quite some time.
@@PlayingwithSticks Thank you for the quick reply! I found you channel just a few weeks ago and have enjoyed getting caught up on you videos. I really appreciate the reviews you do of various gear with pros and cons, but most love the places you go and the beautiful scenery. I hope to get to Alaska some day with my family and experience it all personally.
That Trekology table is what got us interested in these in the first place. Sportneer reached out to us to review a chair. After saying no thanks we ran across their table online and went right back to them and said could we please try this one out? Glad we were able to stumble upon it. Also glad you found the Trekology. What a great design!
@@PlayingwithSticks Hey Drew, looks like Trekology's medium table has the same design as the sportneer? Looks the same on Amazon but almost 15 bucks cheaper.
@@reempire888 Love hearing this. As most folks on here know I am pretty frugal! Thank you for sharing this. Trekology, I believe were the original creators of this table, or at least the one's to sell the most. We actually were looking for this style of table since we first saw Trekology's. Again, thank you for sharing this! Wait did I just thank you twice? Yep, that is how much I appreciate a good deal :)
I like that table! However, do the side plastic pieces come off of the aluminum channels? I have a similar table and all of the plastic end pieces have come off and its super annoying...... Perhaps I should have read through the comments....
We are in the process of getting our pvc leg extensions as well. Great idea. Why the swivel hooks vs a regular hook? I looked at a picture, but couldn't quite understand the swivel feature.
@@PlayingwithSticks When table folded, they are on handle side. When stored upright the hooks lay flat all by themselves. Plus they move(swivel) if I get to close or lazy.
Great tips; will pick up that Sportneer. As for height, we go with a “thwart” table, used by raft guides. It goes into the 4 runner first then stuff on top. Kinda pricey tho.
Is this the type of table you are referring to? app.robly.com/archive?id=2803529110c62dfb660a8862c9af9ab4&v=true Just curious as I was having trouble finding a thwart table.
Thank you so much for such a great video...... May I ask where you are camping? Looks like an amazing spot and would love to check it out.... Thank you :)
I my memory serves me right it was Blue Swell Overland. But, when I googled it, it looks like a guy,Jason Koertge, who has vacation rentals and may rent the overland trailer as well? Seems like he is also connected to SwellRunner Overland I kind of struggled to find Blue Swell Overland. If you find anything please let us know.
Even for us living with him, we can't believe how quick he is maturing outdoors. It is really fun to see his comfort grow with outdoor pursuits. He is our book lover, so we often thought he wouldn't be our outdoor boy. Come to find you can love both the indoors and outdoors equally. Now, Rye on the other hand he is what we call our bulldog (or more like our bull in a china shop). I have a feeling it will be hard to keep him indoors as he is a physical little guy! Thanks for the really sweet comment Elizabeth.
By far my favorite chair. Unfortunately Cabelas no longer makes it. It is kind of a typical modern camp chair, but much beefier, wider, and a taller back. I just love sinking into that chair at the end of the day. Here is the most similar model I can find www.cabelas.com/product/Ascend-Festival-Chair/2841375.uts?slotId=5
That is a bummer. I am really surprised they don't have a distribution center near you? I'm really shocked the shipping isn't free. Sounds like they need to expand their network a bit. Thanks for sharing Ian.
Thank you for catching that. When the video first came out I think there was only one size of table now there seems to be multiple which is great. If anybody’s reading this we still use the table every week and it’s been holding up great! I was a little skeptical about this one when we first got it because it is so light. The only downfall about this table is you have to have some weight on it to work well. If you just sat like a can of soda or your hamburger it might not be enough weight to push the legs down properly.
I’m converting an aluminum ironing board to an adjustable height table by replacing the fabric top with a sheet of silicone held on all around by pool floats around the edge, by cutting one slit along the length. Folds flat to a few inches easily with no spring buttons which always hurt my fingers in cold weather. I intend to store it in my SUV by hanging it from the handholds by the doors with straps or bungees.
Great idea! Love the idea of a flat table for storage. Very creative Anne. We are taking out the Tailgator table this week for the first time. This is a 5lb table that connects to your vehicles tire. We are really surprised how light it is and how flat it lays. Excited to see if it is a good fit for us. Originally we had not interest in one, thought it was a bit gimmicky, but a friend sent it to us. Now we think we may be changing our tune.
@@annekramer6740 Good point. Not very romantic is it? I think it is purely utilitarian. Which goes hand in hand usually with overland travel. Made to be abused, small, lightweight, and simple.
We would love to make a video like this Justin. Unfortunately we haven't had the best luck with repellents up here. The video would be a bit funny because it would be showing what has not worked for us, instead of what HAS worked. We are about to try Avon Skin So Soft. We used to use it when I was younger on the horses, works really well on them. Lately we have been getting a lot of comments on here that says it works really well for humans too. Also, because we have a baby in the family we are cautious right now about using any chemicals as his brain is still developing at a rapid rate. Even the thermacells make us a little leary as they are new to the scene and probably have not been tested extensively. BUT, about a month ago we were camping in a swarm of mosquitoes. Absolutely miserable for days. Went out fishing/hiking and when we returned there was a family that pulled up and set up camp near us. Not one mosquito was around. They had strategically placed two thermacells around their campsite. Not only did it fix their bug issue it even stopped them from going to our area as well. I think thermacells may be the way to go. Final thought: A lot of folks in Alaska who canoe and kayak in the bush swear by treating their clothing with permethrin.
@@PlayingwithSticks I was going to ask the same question. Given that your table is 15.75" high, it can't be the equivalent of the size=small that's available now which is 12.6" tall. The difference between the medium and large is the length of the table top only.
We just love kids in snapback hats. If you are in the lower 48 we find that H&M seems to carry the most snapbacks that look adult. Marvel also makes some great ones for kids. The one East has been wearing this summer is from up here at Alaska Wildberry. I tried to find it online, but couldn't. Seems like the best ones we find are from small boutique stores.
Playing with Sticks thanks so much!!! Also do you guys have a video of camping with kids?? Like tips and tricks or must haves etc? I will be going camping with my 2 month old soon and love your videos. Figured you will have some good tidbits! Thanks again!
Can't tell you. It is a secret Jacinto! Just kidding. It is one of our favorite areas in the Bear Valley area of Southcentral Alaska. Not quite as solitary this season because a local river guide has been using the area as his home base for operations. But, he is really a nice guy and has offered multiple times to allow us to use his gear for the river. Smart guy!
That's awesome. I've never been to Alaska. I'm currently building my Jeep for overlanding. So hopefully pretty soon I can get out and travel. I'm always looking for various beautiful spots to go see. Maybe one day I'll see that one lol. Thanks for the info and keep up the awesome videos.
That GCI table looks phenomenal for camp kitchen. We’ve used a number of camp tables over the years. The roll-top style are nifty and relatively compact, but I’ve found them to lack durability, especially if you are off-roading/over-landing. We also have a folding Lifetime table like in your video, only ours is all plastic not half metal grate. It’s light, simple and durable, providing a decent amount of flat surface, but not the most compact thing to pack away. No matter what you go with, you have to consider how it will work into your load planning. We generally only use the table if we are setting up to stay a few days. We never bother pulling out if we are anywhere “developed” with picnic tables available. Also not usually worth unpacking and setting up for short stops.
You sounds just like us, minus the off-roading part. We haven't had a chance to abuse the roll top table yet. But like you we find the Lifetime table great, just a bit on the larger side. Also we don't set our up either if we are doing a quick one night stop over with a simple meal or if we find a site with a table.
a easy way to make your table taller is to cut 4 peices of pvc pipe slightly larger than legs the length you want to raise it. super fast set up the weight of the table will keep legs secure and a little bags like a tent stake bag but taller ofcourse will keep the legs compact for travel
I want a camper so bad! At 44, I am done sleeping on the ground. Do you have a suggestion for a good starter camper? We have a Kia Sportage that will tow, I think 1500 lbs. I am leaning towards a 13’ Scamp. I don’t want a bathroom in it-not excited by the thought of dealing with grey water....
We are right with you on your bathroom comment. At 1,500lbs you are bumping up to your capacity. I don't know if you have seen our Scamp videos. At first we had trouble towing it a bit with our Matrix. But then we found by rearranging the weight we actually got great mileage and towing/passing power. The main thing was taking the water from a centralized place and putting it in little jugs in different areas of the Scamp. If it were us, it isn't very fun living at the edge of your towing capacity. We would try to find a larger teardrop trailer that is made of fiberglass. This way with fiberglass you can probably get it down to around 900-1000lbs while still having a queen bed, a kitchen, and space to move around. I am not sure if there are any fiberglass teardrop shaped trailers where you can stand up that are in that weight range. If anyone knows of one please let us know. Because that would be the best of both worlds. Standing height, but weight and size of a teardrop. Hope this helps Nicole. We probably just made your decision harder :)
Scamp says their 13’ weighs 1200-1500lbs. At a Fiberglass camper get away, they measured the actual camping weight of eight 13’ Scamps. Average was around 1700lbs. Lightest was 1265lbs. Casita 13’ is a bit heavier. Older versions of both are lighter. NADA RV has used prices and weights (their prices on used Scamps and Casitas are useless🤣, but empty weights seem good so far). Kia Sportage towing capacity varies per year and options. Seen AWD with 2000lb towing rating. If your 1500 lbs limit was a guess, worth further research. You can rent campers to try them out. Various rental companies, and website where individuals rent theirs out.
@@mikemead2315 Great info Mike is sharing here. If you search online there is an excel spreadsheet out there with the real life weights he is describing. Has been really helpful for us. Also like he said, we second the option of renting a trailer. We have had great experience with outdoorsy.com
I will have to measure it one day. I would do it right now if it was here with me. When we made this video sportneer only had one size. Now they have multiple.
@@PlayingwithSticks Thanks. I ended up buying it. Since you referenced the water bottle, it was exactly what I needed the table for. Can you do an update video? How it has hold up, etc...
Yeah I’ll have to mention it in one of my videos. If you watch any of our videos though you’ll see it in there we use it constantly. We watched a review once were someone said the table wasn’t very sturdy. The only time we noticed this is if you don’t have enough weight on the table. So just putting like one soda can on the table works but it’s much better if you sit down something heavy on it with it. We actually use the table for our heaviest items we put our water jug on there and anything heavy like cast-iron pans and stuff. This thing is a beast for being so small it can hold a lot of weight.
Well yeah the aluminum will wobble a little because it is much higher than that one step ladder black table. Three different products for three different application.
cut PVC pipe that slip over the table leg to the height you need I Have done it to 4 ft to 8 ft table I think is 1 1/2 in Pvc pipe or 1 in Pvc pipe also get two Velcro straps to wrap around the pipes
Thank you! Such a simple solution. And glad to have it, as we just LOVE this table. At the right height it will be everything we need out of a table, minus it is a tad bit on the heavy side.
Good question Kevin and you probably are not going to like the answer. In terms of all of these products I am not even 100% sure, but here is what really gets us. A few days ago we hit a spot in our camper where we were able to get a signal for internet. In the middle of the night when studying a potential product to review I stumbled across multiple websites that allow you to track supply chains of any North American based company. Oh man, all night long I kept accidentally waking up my wife with my gasps and loud remarks. We were very surprised to find that many if not most American outdoor supplies come primarily out of China including the manufacturing and assembling process. Meaning many of these American companies are only hiring a very small group of folks, where the rest of the supplies and manufacturing are coming from China. I had to pick my jaw up off the ground a few times after going through company by company. I shouldn't be shocked, as I was aware this is very common with big companies like Nike, Under-armor, etc. But, for some reason I had always thought the North American outdoor industry was an exception to the rule. I won't think that way anymore. No wonder so many of these products get cloned so quickly overseas. If they are already being created there in the first place it is probably possible that they are selling the plans directly to another company or even making them in house at the same place the American company is getting them from and then selling them under another brand. With all that said we do try our best to get North American products first to review on the channel. But, unfortunately sending products for review is not really part of the North American advertising/business model.
Yeah, I hope there will be more transparency in the future, to determine where something is made. Recent events in the world has made this more important than ever. Wish Coleman was still USA made.
@@KevinSmith-os5yz We agree on the Coleman statement. When we were younger we swore by their products as our family owned hand me downs that could last generations. Now it just doesn't seem to be the same. Well, at least that is with most products we have bought from them.
Drew - you can measure the height you want for legs x 4. Buy thick pvc pipe that legs will fit into and cut for the four legs. I think you'll like this. Will definitely save your back.
Yes, wouldn't that be nice. I am not sure why they cut down the height of the legs. Seems like it wouldn't add a whole lot of weight to the design to build them a little taller.
Are you familiar with Pavlov's dog? Do Colorado mountain lions salivate when they hear the sound of a dog bell? Mountaineers refer to these bells as dinner bells because they summon the lions to dinner. (half joke - half serious)
Great suggestion Stephen! Hoping someday they come up with a stand up model using the new composite lightweight materials they have added to their traditional builds.
Drew, I always learn something from your videos... (I’m ordering a Sportneer table.) But what I really appreciate is seeing the relationship you have with East. You allow him to be who he is, and you and your wife are giving your children a beautiful beginning to their journey through life. I hope that others will see this and do their best. 🙏🏼
I appreciate that David! We learn something every time we make these videos as well. If Sportneer wouldn't have reached out to us we would have had no idea we were missing a low profile table. We would never leave home now without something that height. We really appreciate the kind comment about our guidance with the children. We are still learning everyday, making a lot of mistakes, but at the same time learning a lot of really neat ways to interact with our little ones. You learn quickly that they can do a lot more than you think they can at that age. Allowing them to explore deeper into some of our own passions has really helped us see how amazing their developing brains pick up on things.
I'd love to see a video on how to parent while camping. How to keep kids clean, fed, entertained, happy, and learning for different ages. It is something that comes up frequently in parenting camping groups.
Great suggestion Suzanna! We are not experts by any means in this area. But someday May and I will need to sit around a campfire and make a video hitting these areas. We would have a few things to share as we are both early childhood educators and have gleaned some interesting tips and tricks throughout our careers. We have a coworker who is the queen of this sort of thing. We may have to talk her into sitting down with us and doing the episode with her. We do have a video though on our philosophy of camping with children. It does hit a couple of the points you mentioned. Here is the link to that video czcams.com/video/c5D9GUwOLik/video.html
I just love this video with your son and the fish. Quality father and son time.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it! It was a really special trip for me as a father. Fun to see the little guy so excited about something that I love as well.
I love watching your videos! You explain in detail and talk about everything. I like that you talk about items you actually use and recommend. I'm learning a lot with your videos! Thanks! Love your little boy!
Glad these are helpful for you. We really enjoy this type of feedback Fran. Fun to know these videos are making a bit of an impact.
Awesome video Drew, loved seeing East getting into fishing. I really liked that little table from Sportneer. Good stuff.
Take care friends.
Thank you guys! It has been fun with East. As you could see it was a little tough to watch at first, because he was kind of rough. We expected this though from a three year old. But, by the end of the trip he was releasing fish without taking them to the bank and holding them very gently. Still not quite able to keep him fully submersed and do an underwater release, but we are getting there. Amazing how quick these little ones can pick up on these outdoor pursuits. It is fun to see his respect grow for these creatures and the water they live in. Thanks as usual for the support. Love watching your fishing videos as well!
Drew, this has been one of the most enjoyable and informative video I have watched!!! Congratulations to you on receiving those precious dandelions from your son! Also, the relationship between you and your son while fishing reminds of of my Dad “Papi” and me! We went fishing so many times and those beautiful memories are with me to this day!!! Excellent video, Drew!!! Blessings galore to you and yours!!! We sure hope we get to meet you when we travel to Alaska!!!
Love the sweet comment Mirna! With the age of our boys and everything going on lately we probably won’t be outside of Alaska very much so the chances are pretty good will be able to see each other. Glad this video was enjoyable for you, it was really fun for us to make!
We have the GCI table. It has made our camping setup so much more streamlined. Love your videos.
That is awesome to hear. Funny it took us this long to discover it! Thanks for sharing Chris.
Looks like you smirked after pointing to the Bass Pro Shot logo as if you snuck in an ad. Love how homely and genuine this channel feels.
That is funny. I wonder if that was a bit of a Freudian slip. To be honest I am a huge fan of Cabelas (huge!), and was a bit bummed when Bass Pro bought them out. Glad you are enjoying the channel.
Hey Drew... you did it again... another great and informative video. A few years ago we purchased a collapsible table for a family member... as soon as they opened it up, we knew we wanted one too. Sometimes that’s the best way to discover products. Buy it for somebody else and let them test it out. And I like the way you incorporate your gear into storage and travel. Great job.
Yes!!! Glad this was helpful David. It was really a fun one to make. Funny that we can geek out on tables. Sounds like a boring topic, but once I got going I realized I love these little fold-able, collapsible things. Funny on your gift suggestion. We do the same with our family. We often purchase things that we think they would like, but know we would like as well. Great to make someone else happy, while getting a little glimpse yourself at an item you may one day end up owning.
Great video! Love the fishing with little E!
Glad you liked that part Maykou! Those are the moments we love as well.
Hello, my friends!!! Another outstanding/helpful video. Looking forward to getting our camper lives started . . . Amidst all the political turmoil/uncertainty in the US right now, your videos are like a breath of fresh air. Keep 'em coming!!!
Love positive comments like this! Thank you so much. Glad to hear you are enjoying them and they are doing more than just adding more noise to this busy world we live in.
Oh my gawwwd I'm so happy u mentioned Stanley brand, I've been collecting them for my camping gear, they are affordable and durable and also remind me of my grandfather 🤗
They really are affordable aren't they! We were surprised when we linked this item shown in the description. That is so neat that it reminds you of your grandfather as well Raquel!
@@PlayingwithSticks idk if you guys have herd of the cook sets that have a small pot and two bowls or the base camp cook set, that keeps everything all together for a family of 4! Also I have been looking into chuck boxes, alot of people who are a little handy make their own. Have you ever seen these or herd of these?
@@raquelsandoval3851 My grandparents had a chuckbox, but until you told us the term we never had heard it before. Did a Google search. Neat how many different styles there are. We also didn't know Stanley had these larger sets. Love how they are nested.
Thank you for this video...I was alittle slow on how to snap on the table part but, after putting it upside down I figured it out... The black and red table is really cool for camping and the beach
That red and black table has become our new favorite. We use it so many places outside just camping. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Glad I found this video. That GCI table is exactly what I was looking for. Just ordered one. Thanks. Oh, and of course I subscribed to your channel.
Thank you so much for this!
I wish everyone discussed useable gear in the vein you do, simply the best. Thank you.
I appreciate that Mary! Thank you.
Thank you for this very helpful video! And your little guy is the cutest!!
You are so welcome Karen! Thanks for the sweet comment.
Love that Sportneer table. I'll be ordering one soon.
Pretty neat isn't it Pam! We took it out again today for a picnic while berry picking. We didn't end up using it, but that is the beauty of such a small table. You can take it with you almost anywhere and use it you need it, and if not no big deal it didn't take up too much space.
Love this little kid, ❤ big kid sweet, good info thanks❤
Great video. Good information and it is just neat that you are teaching the little one nature conservation!
Thanks Gerard! We try our best. We had some great role models growing up and are trying to pass on everything we learned from them.
I like the iclimb 4 person table - they come in smaller sizes too - very sturdy. I have the iclimb folding compact chair on my radar too. The added netted shelf fabric on their tables adds double duty when you want it - drying dishes, games, etc…
I just started watching your videos. Actually the one about Valiant inspired us to find a more local version (Escapade) that is currently waiting in the order queue to be fabricated. Thank you for posting these useful videos! I learn something every time. We just purchased a Trekology and will be testing it out in the boundary waters.
Those Escapade's are neat little campers. I like that they are built a little longer than your standard teardrop and squaredrop. We have heard nothing but good things about the Trekology. That is what inspired us to find a table like the Sportneer table in the video.
Let's talk tables everyone! What tables are we missing here from the review? Do you own similar tables to ours? What is your experience with them? Oh, and don't forget to stick around to see Eli's table and channel. As requested there are a ton of links below to all the tables, cooking gear, and channels mentioned in this video.
Huge help on tables! LOVE all your other vid’s too. And REALLY REALLY appreciate you comments on teaching the children and even more about being willing & open to new ideas and willing to be “wrong”. Although I don’t generally think of wrong per say. Your openness on this point will do probably THE biggest thing there is to advancing you little guys,... as they see that in you. HUGE. Anyway a huge thank you from the rest of the planet (if I can be so pretentious as to speak for the world en mass,... ha ) for how you are raising your guys and relating with nature. ( P.S. - I’m guessing he might have been washing the flowers as he likely say you washing the fish, but just a guess, might have been where he got if from. ) Cheers, and Namaste ! ;-)
Good point on the term "wrong." It is more of a relative thing for many of the ideas/thoughts in this big beautiful world. Good point on the flowers. I never even associated it with fishing. I was thinking it was from prepping produce at home, which he does a lot. But, you are right because he even put them in the fridge, which in an earlier scene you can see them when I pull out the eggs. He was cleaning and storing just like we do until we can get to a nice beautiful section of land to fillet.
Thanks for your review. It's helpful for me.
Glad to hear that
I have one of those little tables, & I specifically got it to use as a bedside next to my cot. It's the perfect height for that task, to sit my water bottle + my lantern + book on, & to not have to sort of reach out at an awkward angle when I want something. It's exactly the right height to be comfortable. I think they're actually _meant_ to be side tables for your campfire chairs, but they work beautifully for this other use, too.
We were kind of surprised more companies are not making tables this height. Like you said they have so many great uses at a camp site.
Lovely video (your family is darling as usual) and I especially love the first table for the 5 gal. water jug. When we boondock, that is always an issue. Thanks
Thanks for the sweet comment Robin. Funny how we get something we WANT and find out it is something we NEED. Well, maybe we don't need it, but it sure makes things a bit more convenient.
Hola amigo! Gracias por esta valiosa información, completa!!,la necesitaba! , buen video!!!!!. Saludos desde Guayaquil-Ecuador.
¡Gracias! Amo Ecuador. Me alojé allí por un mes durante nuestra luna de miel. ¡Ama tu ciudad!
I really like your videos Drew . Your’e a good guy man I get a good vibe from you.
Glad you are liking them Norman. I'm trying my best to be a good man. Learning new lessons everyday from my mistakes. That vibe you are probably picking up on is my nerd vibe. It runs strong in this one.
We have that GCI Camp Kitchen station/ table and it's awesome. A place for everything!
Thanks for sharing Ryan. We really need to get ourselves one.
Most of your viewers are probably campers...so this might not be a thing...
But when you say that it's a 5 gallon jug, some people might not know that 5 gallons is over 40 lbs. That's a decent amount of weight being supported by that little table. I'll be interested in a construction quality review after you've had it for a while.
Secondly, your focus on height is really helpful. For minimalist camping, you really have to pick and choose your accessories. Getting a product that nails it's functionality is huge. Your insight is very much appreciated.
Finally...like...of course your son is ridiculously adorable. Like...of course. However, for this valediction, I'm going to go in a different direction. As a San Francisco dweller, seeing that other dude (Sam?) rep the Dubs...noice. GSW in the AK? All day.
Good point on the weight. It is quite heavy. Some future video we are going to have to highlight lighter water jugs. There are a lot of really neat thin, low profile just being created now for the overland community. After hauling around these little 5lb jugs for quite a few years I can vouch that they are awkward, a bit dangerous as you carry them over different tripping hazards, and don't pack the nicest. But, they do the job for now.
As for the San Fransisco comment you are the first person to say something nice about this. Poor Uncle Sam. He gets quite a lot of flack on here from folks for all his Niner and GSW gear. But everyone does it in a nice joking way. Our family also gives Sam a hard time. But, we will admit he loved both teams in their tough years, so he is pretty proud to let you know he isn't a band wagon fan. Typically up here everyone is a Sea hawks fan, but many of the Asian families are from the Bay Area or have family there (which is our connection as well).
@@PlayingwithSticks I used to have a local noodle shop. They made fresh noodles and dumplings in the front window. I know it was partially for show, but they were great. Because of Covid, they've closed down now, and I miss them.
Those 5 gal. jugs are work horses. They do what you need them to do. That said, I totally hear you, carrying them can be awkward and potentially hazardous. You've done a couple of videos where you, basically, show your set-up. Those videos have been helpful.
As for the Sam/SF thing...Sam seems like a young guy. But he looks like he's old enough to have lived through Eric Musselman as a Dubs coach and Jim Tomsula as a 9ers coach. To be a Bay Area sports fan is to know pinnacles of joy and soul-crushing pain...and not much else. Uncle Sam has this over the Seattle crowd; it's bad that the 9ers moved to Santa Clara but it's worse...by a lot...that the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma.
Eat it Seattle (but...if we're being honest...Russell Wilson is pretty great)
A video like this but about chairs would be cool. Great vid keep it up
We really have wanted to make that video Oscar. But, unfortunately almost every chair we use is no longer being made. And we love each one so much we have no desire to get anything else. Definitely a bummer. Tough knowing we have something great and can't share it with the world.
Thank you for a very nice review, I love your channel! This is so helpful.
Glad it was helpful! Love your channel title. You need to start making some videos with a great title like that!
Playing with Sticks please do a video on kids camping gear. I have a 3 year old, we are new to camping and I want to invest on items that will last. What hiking shoe brand do you recommend? We mainly do car camping in Yosemite and Tahoe.
@@thetagalogproject9744 We are kind of backed up on content at the moment, but most Alaskans use a pretty dated, but great book called Babes in the Woods: Hiking, Camping, and Boating with Babies and Young Children. Although it feels a bit dated all the gear they recommended, safety precautions, etc. are all very modern and still apply today. Here is the link www.amazon.com/Babes-Woods-Camping-Boating-Children/dp/1594853436/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=babes+in+the+woods&qid=1598682933&sr=8-1
@@thetagalogproject9744 For three year olds unfortunately we cannot find a good shoe out there. But, luckily they don't need a whole lot of ankle support as they don't weigh too much. A good old pair of tennis shoes and some backup rain boots for playing in the puddles, rivers, and lakes. As for us adults...any shoe that has Vibram soles. We typically use Vasque and Scapas for backpacking. And Merrill's and Keens for day trips. All these brands of shoes will probably outlast you :) They are built very well. Yosemite and Tahoe, such beautiful areas!
Awesome video...very well done!!!
Thank you very much Karen!
I ordered a cheap version of this table and could not get it assembled right so I appreciate you showing me now to do it.
Our teardrop table is just a molded plastic 2' x 4' table from Cosco with folding legs. It has easily adjustable legs that can be coffee table height, standard height and counter height, so, very versatile. It is lightweight, easily fits in our tear drop and is quite sturdy. Since it is counter height, works great as a food prep table as well. Besides our two folding camping chairs, we also have a Gorilla aluminum folding scaffold, 12" x 4' and 16" tall, that works as a bench at our table (with a piece of carpet for padding), works as a coffee table, guest seating and assists me in getting bikes off the roof of our truck or items off the tear drop.
This was good timing for us! We just went camping in our pop-up and our griddle melted our stove!!! We are thinking of getting a kitchen table instead. Going to check out that GCI table and the channel! Thanks for another great video!
Oh no! Sorry to hear that. Pretty cool table, especially for the price. I think you will really enjoy Eli and Fawn's channel.
Playing with Sticks Who uses plastic on a stove anyway!? 🤷🏻♀️
I grew up with that same toast maker back in the 80s
I just found Eli first! This video was crazy helpful, we're looking for table options! Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful Candie! Isn't Eli and his family so fun! Wish they lived a bit closer to us. May and I often say they would be our best friends 😂
@@PlayingwithSticks I had that thought as I watched them too!
Great video. Thanks for the tips. Please share what other camping channels you like.
Our pleasure Carol! As for camping channels, most of the ones we watch are more dedicated to small camper trailer camping. The channels we watch most in no particular order. Okay, maybe these first two are in order but the rest we watch pretty evenly. Cosmo Weems and Slim Potatohead followesd by Elsa Rhae ad Barron, Charles Moman, Hangin with Herky (last two channels mentioned are Runaway trailer owners), Camp and Camera. We also watch a few channels that are not small camper related. From She to Me (great resource for sprinter van owners), less Junk More Journey (good family based channel pulling larger travel trailers), Long Long Honeymoon (just great CZcams personalities also tow larger trailers), and last but not least Cheap RV Living, which is one of the greatest resources for going full time for anyone who own a van, truck, small trailer, even a tent.
Awesome video ❤️
Thank you Margaret 🤗
We've been using one of those toasters at our cabin for 40 years and have used it to make toast as many as 20 people
Now that is impressive Harry! Would have loved to see the 20 people toast making in action.
I've been passing by the Ozark Trail branded small folding table for a while and might just pick one up now. Something simple to pop open some when I'm rooting through the 12V fridge in the truck cab back seat I'll have a place to put stuff for the moment. I went with the Coleman basic pack away kitchen over the lifetime because I liked the lantern hook and how small it packs down. Also, I have a generic named large accordion style aluminum the table with the shock cord attached slats. They can be a little frustrating to get the hang of at first!
I think they are easy to pass by because they are low in cost and found everywhere. I think this could give the impression that they are of poor quality. But, quite the opposite. The reason you mentioned with the fridge is how we primarily use the Ozark table lately. Wherever we need a little extra counter space or room we quickly move the little table to that spot. It was a huge blessing in the Scamp is we often struggled to find enough counter space during meal prep and cleanup. When researching tables the shock cord variety interested us as well. We may have to try one someday. Like I said in the video, sometimes just the novelty of the newer styles are fun to try out.
@@PlayingwithSticks I should clarify that I meant just physically walking past them at wally world. Your video got me thinking perhaps I should try one out! On another note my SO and I were looking at Scamps (online) due the the number of storms this summer. In my little tent it is disheartening or i just cancel the trip, but if I had a little cabin I would still want to venture out.
I am extremely happy with
Lifetime Folding Tailgate Camp Table with Grill Rack,
That is awesome to here! We put that table in the description hoping people would share their experience with it. The Lifetime table we highlighted, great as it is, is often back ordered online. Thanks again for sharing your insight.
👍 on the Blackstone. Bought on this year for our camping trips and love it.
P.S. Going to check out that GCI table now.
You sound like us in reverse. We are currently studying the Blackstone griddles. I think we are ready to up our cooking game.
@@PlayingwithSticks I purchased the 17" Blackstone. I was thinking about other types of camp grills to supplement the camp stove and went with the Blackstone for overall ease of use with the ease of cleanup being a big factor.
P.S. Purchased one of the GCI tables yesterday. Just waiting for it to arrive.
Great review. I'm looking for small table for my camping cooking videos and I think this first table is good for the price ($20 on Amazon). Greetings from Spain🇪🇸👍
Your videography is stunning 🤩
Thank you! Much appreciated.
Super helpful. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
@@PlayingwithSticks o just ordered the GCI one from bed bath and beyond for $40!!!
@@tony1nvy Wow, sounds like an amazing deal. Did you check to make sure it was the same model? GCI makes quite a few different camp tables. Typically their $40 table is a fold-able table similar to our Bass Pro aluminum table shown in this video. However, the GCI version is of a higher quality. It is pretty hard to find the kitchen cook table lower than $79. If you find out it is the kitchen table let us know and we will tell the community!
Yes it's the GCI one. Normally $99 on their website. On sale for $69, then clearance to $49. 20% coupon brought it down to $40. I watched your video and the someone posted the coupon on a FB page I follow. Definitely a great deal.
Good video
Thanks for the video. I always love to see your family in the wild. I don't know if this was mentioned in the comments but you might be able to fit PVC pipe to the legs of the short table to raise to exactly the height you want.
Nobody has mentioned this yet Brian. Such a simple idea, but we wouldn't have came up with that ourselves. We will have to try that out. I could use a few more inches on there.
I've used the pvc pipes for legs, it works pretty well, depending on the table.
I have a fold up table thats a bit short, I push the pole stops in and extend it beyond the the legs it slides out of. The legs are prone to fall off if lifted, but I dont lift the table once its setup. Not sure that will work for you but it could help.
We will have to give that a try. Thanks for the tip Jason.
I like the short table. I once had the type that is half plastic top and half metal grid. But have found I always prefer tables with each leg being adjustable. I have two different ones now that I can adjust for uneven ground. None are perfect, but they work better for me.
Great suggestion on the tables with individual leg adjustments.
Well worth the money, grwat product
I have an Aliner Ranger 10 with propane tanks but I do all my cooking outside (in fact I removed inside stove for more room). I was looking for a super sturdy table to put a propane stove on that I could run off my tongue propane tanks. It needed to be standing height for cooking, stable, and portable. What I finally settled on was a table meant for the construction trade, the WORX WX066 Sidekick, on Amazon for $60. It holds 300 pounds and is very sturdy. The downsides are you need more room for storage then some of the others and the way it folds up the legs stick out on the sides, and since it is meant for construction it has holes/fastening points on it . This has not affected my purposes for it at all though. I have taken it out several times and cooked with it and it works great.
Thank you for sharing this. Love the price and the design.
New subscriber here. Love the content! Also the reindeer sausage and coconut curry meal looks amazing!! Any chance I can find the recipe somewhere?
We usually have recipes for things like this and would be glad to give it to you. 90% of our food at home is SE Asian and most the recipes are from a cook May learned from in Thailand. However, this one was just us throwing together a bunch of ingredients and doing a blend between SE Asian and Indian style curry. We wish we wrote this one down because it turned out really good!
Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
They did have a stand in height model as of 2019..i got a 2019 Coolcamp model..i think they build the higher size by request.
Hi Stephen I am having trouble finding the Coolcamp model. Any chance you could post the link on here?
I like the aluminium table. It's the right fireside table. I have one that is made from polyester and I'm afraid to have it too close to the fire or cook on it because it might melt. I have one similar to your on order but as you say it's kinda low and small. I think I need to consider a "drifta kitchen box".
Thank you for sharing the Drifta Kitchens. These are new to us. After watching their videos they appear to be a modern take on the old Chuck Boxes our grandparents used to haul around.
Thank you thank you thank you. And ....where are you? The place is amazing
This is in Bear Valley in Southcentral Alaska. Beautiful area. Glad you enjoyed the video Gaciela!
another good thing with a lower table like the sportneer .. when you have young kids , it's a good height for them to put juice cups etc on
Good point John. It has served us well with our oldest. The right height and the right balanced design to keep food and drink off the ground.
When you were doing the table test you had the water jug different on the table test, one that stable was with the length of the runner's, the unstable one was opposite of the runner's.
I noticed that in the video as well. I should have commented about that. The legs on the aluminum taller table are so narrow if you put the jug going the other direction it actually can tip over quite easily. The direction in the video is the most stable direction, but it does sway more (more sway, but less tip). Thanks for catching that.
Sportneer looks like exactly what I've been searching for. Does it seem large enough to play board games or cards games like Uno on?
It would be really tight it is 22" by 16" I believe. You could do it, but you would have to be pretty thoughtful about where you are placing everything each hand.
Wow, you are so generous my friend. THANK YOU SO MUCH for the kind words and the nice shoutout. We are truly humbled.
I am absolutely buying that Sportneer side table. Thanks for such a nice and detailed review.
Thanks again Drew and please say hi to your lovely bride and kids.
Eli and Fawn
We honestly meant every word we said. Love your family and your channel! May and East say hi. No tangible words from Rye...yet. But we are hoping words and walking will be any day now. Late July seems to be a slower time for our channel. Hoping the video takes off a bit so people can get the chance to discover you guys!
Nice table review! Also, thanks so much for the mention!!
Thank you! And especially thank you again for introducing us to Eli and Fawn.
Great video! Thanks for the good info on tables. My son was watching with me and asked about the trailer and tent you passed just before the Valiant. I believe you called it a Blue Swell, or something like that. My son wanted more information on it, so I tried searching for it but couldn't find anything. If you know more about these, or where I can find out about them, I'd appreciate a quick tip. Thanks!
We were intrigued by it as well. We did a bit of research. Appears to be both a company and a CZcams brand. Yes Blue Swell is the name. Seems like they have an overland CZcams channel. I haven't looked it up in quite some time.
@@PlayingwithSticks Thank you for the quick reply! I found you channel just a few weeks ago and have enjoyed getting caught up on you videos. I really appreciate the reviews you do of various gear with pros and cons, but most love the places you go and the beautiful scenery. I hope to get to Alaska some day with my family and experience it all personally.
I've got a Trekology and I love it.
That Trekology table is what got us interested in these in the first place. Sportneer reached out to us to review a chair. After saying no thanks we ran across their table online and went right back to them and said could we please try this one out? Glad we were able to stumble upon it. Also glad you found the Trekology. What a great design!
@@PlayingwithSticks Hey Drew, looks like Trekology's medium table has the same design as the sportneer? Looks the same on Amazon but almost 15 bucks cheaper.
@@reempire888 Love hearing this. As most folks on here know I am pretty frugal! Thank you for sharing this. Trekology, I believe were the original creators of this table, or at least the one's to sell the most. We actually were looking for this style of table since we first saw Trekology's. Again, thank you for sharing this! Wait did I just thank you twice? Yep, that is how much I appreciate a good deal :)
@@PlayingwithSticks I just bought a sportneer on Amazon, arriving Friday. Can't wait...thanks for the video!!!!
I like that table!
However, do the side plastic pieces come off of the aluminum channels?
I have a similar table and all of the plastic end pieces have come off and its super annoying......
Perhaps I should have read through the comments....
I have the solid table. Height - PVC leg extensions. I also put Amtech 3pc 30mm Swivel Loop Storage Hooks to hang towels spatulas or what ever.
We are in the process of getting our pvc leg extensions as well. Great idea. Why the swivel hooks vs a regular hook? I looked at a picture, but couldn't quite understand the swivel feature.
@@PlayingwithSticks When table folded, they are on handle side. When stored upright the hooks lay flat all by themselves. Plus they move(swivel) if I get to close or lazy.
@@slamboy66 Okay, now I understand. Thanks for clarifying.
Great tips; will pick up that Sportneer. As for height, we go with a “thwart” table, used by raft guides. It goes into the 4 runner first then stuff on top. Kinda pricey tho.
Is this the type of table you are referring to? app.robly.com/archive?id=2803529110c62dfb660a8862c9af9ab4&v=true Just curious as I was having trouble finding a thwart table.
Yep or cascaderivergear.com/product-category/camping/lounge/tables/
told you vinegar was a good cleaner and salad dressing . LOL
You were so right Bob!
Thank you so much for such a great video...... May I ask where you are camping? Looks like an amazing spot and would love to check it out.... Thank you :)
This would just be out on the road to exit glacier. Tons of open boondocking sites all around.
@@PlayingwithSticks Thank you.... Glacier Natl Park or Glacier Hwy in Canada?
Oh sorry, I thought you were from Alaska. It is a famous glacier on the road system called Exit Glacier.
What was the name of that other camper with the giant side entry tent?
I my memory serves me right it was Blue Swell Overland. But, when I googled it, it looks like a guy,Jason Koertge, who has vacation rentals and may rent the overland trailer as well? Seems like he is also connected to SwellRunner Overland I kind of struggled to find Blue Swell Overland. If you find anything please let us know.
East has grown into such a confident, curious boy, it was a delight to see him handling such big fish!
Even for us living with him, we can't believe how quick he is maturing outdoors. It is really fun to see his comfort grow with outdoor pursuits. He is our book lover, so we often thought he wouldn't be our outdoor boy. Come to find you can love both the indoors and outdoors equally. Now, Rye on the other hand he is what we call our bulldog (or more like our bull in a china shop). I have a feeling it will be hard to keep him indoors as he is a physical little guy! Thanks for the really sweet comment Elizabeth.
Enjoyed the video. What is the chair you’re sitting on at 1:30? Maybe I missed it.
By far my favorite chair. Unfortunately Cabelas no longer makes it. It is kind of a typical modern camp chair, but much beefier, wider, and a taller back. I just love sinking into that chair at the end of the day. Here is the most similar model I can find www.cabelas.com/product/Ascend-Festival-Chair/2841375.uts?slotId=5
@@PlayingwithSticks awesome thank you. It certainly caught my eyes. One linked looks good too.
How did it hold up ???
I like that GCI cooking station, but shipping to the U.K. would run about $140 so maybe I’ll have to make one 😆
That is a bummer. I am really surprised they don't have a distribution center near you? I'm really shocked the shipping isn't free. Sounds like they need to expand their network a bit. Thanks for sharing Ian.
Hello, can you tell me what size sportneer table you featured in the video?
He commented to someone here that it’s 22” x16” which would be the medium size but he listed it in his description as a small.
Thank you for catching that. When the video first came out I think there was only one size of table now there seems to be multiple which is great. If anybody’s reading this we still use the table every week and it’s been holding up great! I was a little skeptical about this one when we first got it because it is so light. The only downfall about this table is you have to have some weight on it to work well. If you just sat like a can of soda or your hamburger it might not be enough weight to push the legs down properly.
I’m converting an aluminum ironing board to an adjustable height table by replacing the fabric top with a sheet of silicone held on all around by pool floats around the edge, by cutting one slit along the length. Folds flat to a few inches easily with no spring buttons which always hurt my fingers in cold weather. I intend to store it in my SUV by hanging it from the handholds by the doors with straps or bungees.
Great idea! Love the idea of a flat table for storage. Very creative Anne. We are taking out the Tailgator table this week for the first time. This is a 5lb table that connects to your vehicles tire. We are really surprised how light it is and how flat it lays. Excited to see if it is a good fit for us. Originally we had not interest in one, thought it was a bit gimmicky, but a friend sent it to us. Now we think we may be changing our tune.
Playing with Sticks , but eating near the car or tire holds no interest for me.
@@annekramer6740 Good point. Not very romantic is it? I think it is purely utilitarian. Which goes hand in hand usually with overland travel. Made to be abused, small, lightweight, and simple.
Good video. How about a video about bug repellents and their effectiveness.
We would love to make a video like this Justin. Unfortunately we haven't had the best luck with repellents up here. The video would be a bit funny because it would be showing what has not worked for us, instead of what HAS worked. We are about to try Avon Skin So Soft. We used to use it when I was younger on the horses, works really well on them. Lately we have been getting a lot of comments on here that says it works really well for humans too. Also, because we have a baby in the family we are cautious right now about using any chemicals as his brain is still developing at a rapid rate. Even the thermacells make us a little leary as they are new to the scene and probably have not been tested extensively. BUT, about a month ago we were camping in a swarm of mosquitoes. Absolutely miserable for days. Went out fishing/hiking and when we returned there was a family that pulled up and set up camp near us. Not one mosquito was around. They had strategically placed two thermacells around their campsite. Not only did it fix their bug issue it even stopped them from going to our area as well. I think thermacells may be the way to go. Final thought: A lot of folks in Alaska who canoe and kayak in the bush swear by treating their clothing with permethrin.
@@PlayingwithSticks I'm a mosquito magnet so I feel your pain.
Drew you are amazing. I have one of those rigid Cabela's tables and you called it - too tall for my camp chair! Great video!
The Sportneer table that you reviewed, is it in size Small?
Uh oh. When we originally got this table there was only one size. Unfortunately I do not have it with me today to measure it.
@@PlayingwithSticks I was going to ask the same question. Given that your table is 15.75" high, it can't be the equivalent of the size=small that's available now which is 12.6" tall. The difference between the medium and large is the length of the table top only.
It’s a medium
Great tables and I appreciate the reviews, but do you mind telling me where this campsite is?!? Lol Looks amazing!
This is directly off the road when you leave Seward and head out to exit glacier
@@PlayingwithSticks Awesome, I’ll be in that area later this year! Thanks! 🤙🏼
What SnapBack hat are your kids wearing? Where can I get one?
We just love kids in snapback hats. If you are in the lower 48 we find that H&M seems to carry the most snapbacks that look adult. Marvel also makes some great ones for kids. The one East has been wearing this summer is from up here at Alaska Wildberry. I tried to find it online, but couldn't. Seems like the best ones we find are from small boutique stores.
Playing with Sticks thanks so much!!! Also do you guys have a video of camping with kids?? Like tips and tricks or must haves etc? I will be going camping with my 2 month old soon and love your videos. Figured you will have some good tidbits! Thanks again!
Man I love that area your camping at. Where is it?
Can't tell you. It is a secret Jacinto! Just kidding. It is one of our favorite areas in the Bear Valley area of Southcentral Alaska. Not quite as solitary this season because a local river guide has been using the area as his home base for operations. But, he is really a nice guy and has offered multiple times to allow us to use his gear for the river. Smart guy!
That's awesome. I've never been to Alaska. I'm currently building my Jeep for overlanding. So hopefully pretty soon I can get out and travel. I'm always looking for various beautiful spots to go see. Maybe one day I'll see that one lol. Thanks for the info and keep up the awesome videos.
@@jacintoalmager8778 When your Jeep is finished you will have to bring it up this way. Sounds like a really great project Jacinto.
What are the chairs
I’m looking for a nice table to goes on a tire, because I need something other than my tailgate for horizontal surface.
I think the only one they make is the tire gator. I haven’t seen any other tables off the tire.
@@PlayingwithSticks I’ve seen one or two on Amazon other than the tire gator, but if I have to custom make one I probably will.
That GCI table looks phenomenal for camp kitchen.
We’ve used a number of camp tables over the years. The roll-top style are nifty and relatively compact, but I’ve found them to lack durability, especially if you are off-roading/over-landing. We also have a folding Lifetime table like in your video, only ours is all plastic not half metal grate. It’s light, simple and durable, providing a decent amount of flat surface, but not the most compact thing to pack away.
No matter what you go with, you have to consider how it will work into your load planning. We generally only use the table if we are setting up to stay a few days. We never bother pulling out if we are anywhere “developed” with picnic tables available. Also not usually worth unpacking and setting up for short stops.
You sounds just like us, minus the off-roading part. We haven't had a chance to abuse the roll top table yet. But like you we find the Lifetime table great, just a bit on the larger side. Also we don't set our up either if we are doing a quick one night stop over with a simple meal or if we find a site with a table.
a easy way to make your table taller is to cut 4 peices of pvc pipe slightly larger than legs the length you want to raise it. super fast set up the weight of the table will keep legs secure and a little bags like a tent stake bag but taller ofcourse will keep the legs compact for travel
I want a camper so bad! At 44, I am done sleeping on the ground. Do you have a suggestion for a good starter camper? We have a Kia Sportage that will tow, I think 1500 lbs. I am leaning towards a 13’ Scamp. I don’t want a bathroom in it-not excited by the thought of dealing with grey water....
We are right with you on your bathroom comment. At 1,500lbs you are bumping up to your capacity. I don't know if you have seen our Scamp videos. At first we had trouble towing it a bit with our Matrix. But then we found by rearranging the weight we actually got great mileage and towing/passing power. The main thing was taking the water from a centralized place and putting it in little jugs in different areas of the Scamp. If it were us, it isn't very fun living at the edge of your towing capacity. We would try to find a larger teardrop trailer that is made of fiberglass. This way with fiberglass you can probably get it down to around 900-1000lbs while still having a queen bed, a kitchen, and space to move around. I am not sure if there are any fiberglass teardrop shaped trailers where you can stand up that are in that weight range. If anyone knows of one please let us know. Because that would be the best of both worlds. Standing height, but weight and size of a teardrop. Hope this helps Nicole. We probably just made your decision harder :)
Scamp says their 13’ weighs 1200-1500lbs. At a Fiberglass camper get away, they measured the actual camping weight of eight 13’ Scamps. Average was around 1700lbs. Lightest was 1265lbs. Casita 13’ is a bit heavier. Older versions of both are lighter. NADA RV has used prices and weights (their prices on used Scamps and Casitas are useless🤣, but empty weights seem good so far).
Kia Sportage towing capacity varies per year and options. Seen AWD with 2000lb towing rating. If your 1500 lbs limit was a guess, worth further research.
You can rent campers to try them out. Various rental companies, and website where individuals rent theirs out.
@@mikemead2315 Great info Mike is sharing here. If you search online there is an excel spreadsheet out there with the real life weights he is describing. Has been really helpful for us. Also like he said, we second the option of renting a trailer. We have had great experience with outdoorsy.com
Check out runaway campers too.
A t@g is about 950-1000 pounds dry. It's what I have now. Wonderful little teardrop. Light enough to unhook and push into place if necessary.
What size is the Sportneer Portable Camping Table?
I will have to measure it one day. I would do it right now if it was here with me. When we made this video sportneer only had one size. Now they have multiple.
@@PlayingwithSticks Thanks. I ended up buying it. Since you referenced the water bottle, it was exactly what I needed the table for. Can you do an update video? How it has hold up, etc...
Yeah I’ll have to mention it in one of my videos. If you watch any of our videos though you’ll see it in there we use it constantly. We watched a review once were someone said the table wasn’t very sturdy. The only time we noticed this is if you don’t have enough weight on the table. So just putting like one soda can on the table works but it’s much better if you sit down something heavy on it with it. We actually use the table for our heaviest items we put our water jug on there and anything heavy like cast-iron pans and stuff. This thing is a beast for being so small it can hold a lot of weight.
@@PlayingwithSticks yes! That’s what I’ll be using it for as well. Our water jugs. Thanks!!
Well yeah the aluminum will wobble a little because it is much higher than that one step ladder black table. Three different products for three different application.
That last table is like high tech low tech without a tech….but techie.
Try GCI table. It does same thing as your short table and your tall aluminum table
Thank you! Much appreciated.
cut PVC pipe that slip over the table leg to the height you need I Have done it to 4 ft to 8 ft table I think is 1 1/2 in Pvc pipe or 1 in Pvc pipe also get two Velcro straps to wrap around the pipes
Thank you! Such a simple solution. And glad to have it, as we just LOVE this table. At the right height it will be everything we need out of a table, minus it is a tad bit on the heavy side.
I for got that some table have short leg like 2" in. just add PVC tee to add cross brace in or sometime you can find a four way PVC fitting
Are any made in usa?
Good question Kevin and you probably are not going to like the answer. In terms of all of these products I am not even 100% sure, but here is what really gets us. A few days ago we hit a spot in our camper where we were able to get a signal for internet. In the middle of the night when studying a potential product to review I stumbled across multiple websites that allow you to track supply chains of any North American based company. Oh man, all night long I kept accidentally waking up my wife with my gasps and loud remarks. We were very surprised to find that many if not most American outdoor supplies come primarily out of China including the manufacturing and assembling process. Meaning many of these American companies are only hiring a very small group of folks, where the rest of the supplies and manufacturing are coming from China. I had to pick my jaw up off the ground a few times after going through company by company. I shouldn't be shocked, as I was aware this is very common with big companies like Nike, Under-armor, etc. But, for some reason I had always thought the North American outdoor industry was an exception to the rule. I won't think that way anymore. No wonder so many of these products get cloned so quickly overseas. If they are already being created there in the first place it is probably possible that they are selling the plans directly to another company or even making them in house at the same place the American company is getting them from and then selling them under another brand. With all that said we do try our best to get North American products first to review on the channel. But, unfortunately sending products for review is not really part of the North American advertising/business model.
Yeah, I hope there will be more transparency in the future, to determine where something is made. Recent events in the world has made this more important than ever. Wish Coleman was still USA made.
@@KevinSmith-os5yz We agree on the Coleman statement. When we were younger we swore by their products as our family owned hand me downs that could last generations. Now it just doesn't seem to be the same. Well, at least that is with most products we have bought from them.
Drew - you can measure the height you want for legs x 4. Buy thick pvc pipe that legs will fit into and cut for the four legs. I think you'll like this. Will definitely save your back.
Love this tip Sylvia. Especially beings this is the perfect table for us in almost everywhere, minus height and weight.
the last table you show It may too low for you I wish table Manufacture make height of 40 " to 48" in like house counter
Yes, wouldn't that be nice. I am not sure why they cut down the height of the legs. Seems like it wouldn't add a whole lot of weight to the design to build them a little taller.
Again, you can make your own strong table that height from an old ironing board. Free.
Are you familiar with Pavlov's dog? Do Colorado mountain lions salivate when they hear the sound of a dog bell? Mountaineers refer to these bells as dinner bells because they summon the lions to dinner. (half joke - half serious)
This is a really good point. In Kodiak if you fire your gun…watch out! They know that means there’s been a kill and they’re on you in seconds.
Look at the Runaway trailers...low weight..less than 600 lbs
Great suggestion Stephen! Hoping someday they come up with a stand up model using the new composite lightweight materials they have added to their traditional builds.
The website for the Runaway trailer is runawaycampers.com
Vinegar DOES kill germs… if you leave it on the surface for 20-30 minutes. 🤜🤛
Table height is a big deal for me. I’m 6’4” with a bad back