By Rick Webster

Portable Aluminum dining sets ready for the road

WICHITA, Kan. – Fashionably functional, two new aluminum table-and-chair sets from Coleman are poised to provide high-tech style to the campsite. The Pack-Away® Table Set for Two and Pack-Away Table Set for Four are so slim, lightweight and compact, that users truly can just grab them and go.

The sets are small enough to fit in any size car, but functional and sturdy enough to stand up to frequent use. As recent additions to the Coleman® RoadTrip™ Collection, the Pack-Away sets are well suited for tailgating, camping, picnics and other such outings. RV’ers can easily store them, then pull them out as needed for outdoor dining or card games at the campground. They can also be used as extra guest seating in the home or in the backyard.

The Pack-Away sets consist of individual pieces that can be used separately or together – making them more versatile than some competitive products.

Introduced by Coleman Japan last year, the Pack-Away table-and-chair sets have enjoyed tremendous popularity in that country. Coleman is betting that American consumers will find them appealing as well, with their mix of ultra compact portability and high-tech, metallic styling.

The sets are made almost entirely of aluminum, making the tables more durable than comparable plastic-topped products. Hot items can be set on the aluminum without risk of damage.

Intelligently designed, the furniture can be set up in a matter of a few minutes. Easy-to-understand instructions are included, and locking mechanisms ensure the furniture will stay put once it has been set up.

The sets are completely self-contained, with no bags or straps needed. In the stowed position, they feature heavy-duty, luggage-style carry handles.

Table Set for Two

The smaller of the two Pack-Away® sets includes a table and two stools. The stools store inside the table, and the table folds up and becomes its own hard-sided case with carry handle for convenient transportation and storage.

When packed, the set resembles a metal briefcase. Weighing a few ounces shy of 14 ½ pounds, the case is 4 ¼ inches thick and measures 23 ¾ by 16 ¼ inches in size.

In use, the table is a comfortable 25 ½ inches tall, but can be adjusted to a lower position that is useful for fireside cooking or for use inside a tent. The tabletop offers 31 ½ by 23 ¾ inches of surface area – more than enough for two people to enjoy a meal, cards or a board game.

The table automatically locks in open position and will not collapse when moved, and it features “sandbar” legs to distribute the weight evenly and keep the individual legs from sinking into soft ground.

Surprisingly sturdy and comfortable despite the diminutive size, each stool in this set is 16 inches tall and has a 12- by 10-inch seat.
Suggested retail price of the Coleman® Pack-Away Set for Two is $50.

Table Set for Four

The larger of the two sets includes a table and two benches. The table folds flat and stores inside the padded bench seats – unlike the smaller table set – and the benches latch together to form the outer storage case with handle.

Folded, the case is 36 ½ by 10 ¾ inches in size and is just 5 ¼ inches thick. The set weighs a little less than 23 ½ pounds.

The cleverly designed table is all one piece, meaning easy set-up and no parts to lose. A comfortable 28 inches tall, the table has a surface area of 35 ½ by 22 ¾ inches – plenty of room for four people to enjoy a meal, cards or a board game.

Each two-seater bench is 36 ½ inches long and 10 ¾ inches wide, and stands 16 ¼ inches tall. The padded, durable seat covers are removable for easy cleaning. They double as a protective case for the set when it is being transported or stored.
Suggested retail price for the Coleman® Pack-Away Set for Four is $85.