Coleman Trailhead II Large Folding Cot with Easy Setup & Takedown, Supports Adults up to 6ft 2in or 300lbs, Great for Camping, Lounging, Elevated Sleeping, Guests, & More
The Coleman Trailhead II is an entry-level folding cot built with a steel cross-bar frame designed for basecamp and home guest use. Weighing 21.5 pounds and supporting up to 300 pounds, it trades trail mobility for elevated durability at a budget-friendly price point.
Research review based on an Amazon listing, recorded specifications and captured buyer ratings. Review record from Sep 28, 2026; price, rating and availability last checked Nov 8, 2026. It does not verify every maker claim. Not a hands-on test — see how we review.
Price
$54.99
Checked Nov 8, 2026
Amazon rating
4.4
★★★★★4.4
Ratings
24,986
Best for Car camping and elevated warm-weather sleeping
This steel-framed folding cot lifts you off hard ground, supporting up to 300 pounds. Elevated sleeping promotes convective heat loss from below, meaning you still require an insulated pad with a solid R-value in cool weather. Heavy packed weight restricts this strictly to car camping.
What we like
+Sturdy steel frame rated to 300 pounds
+Elevates sleeper off damp ground surfaces
+Eliminates contact with rocks and roots
What to weigh up
−Significant packed weight limits transport distance
Price, rating and availability as read from the listing on Nov 8, 2026; Amazon can change them at any time. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
Our scorecard
Research-based assessment
6.4out of 10
Overall
Frame strength8.0
Steel cross-bar construction supports up to 300 pounds reliably.
Assembly ergonomics6.2
Tensioning the final cross-bar requires significant physical leverage during setup.
Packability4.5
A 21.5-pound packed weight limits transit strictly to vehicle trunks.
Usable sleeping space7.4
Wide 35-inch frame accommodates broad shoulders but caps user height at 6ft 2in.
Thermal efficiency6.0
Under-cot convective airflow demands a separate high R-value sleeping pad.
The full review
Design and build specifications
The Coleman Trailhead II utilizes an X-frame military-style folding architecture constructed from powder-coated steel tubing. Measuring 73 inches long, 35 inches wide, and sitting 17 inches off the ground, the frame is engineered to hold campers up to 6 feet 2 inches tall with a maximum static weight capacity of 300 pounds. The fabric deck is a tightly woven synthetic canvas anchored by dual end bars that slot into the perimeter frame to establish tautness. At 21.5 pounds, the unit carries substantial mass, reflecting its steel composition rather than lightweight aluminum alloys. Folded dimensions allow it to collapse accordion-style into an included transport sleeve that fits standard passenger vehicle trunks. Coleman protects the unit under a standard one-year limited warranty. Structural stress concentrates primarily on the pivot joints and the plastic feet, which buyers should verify periodically for wear if used on rough or abrasive ground.
Real-world camp performance
In the field, assembly requires moderate mechanical effort. While the side rails unfold effortlessly, seating the final end-brace onto its retention pegs requires substantial leverage, which may frustrate solo campers before the canvas stretches over time. Once locked in, the surface provides a rigid, firm sleeping plane with minimal center sag, preventing the hammock effect seen in lower-tension models. However, elevation introduces thermal challenges. While 17 inches of clearance provides valuable underneath storage inside a tent, it exposes the sleeper to ambient undercarriage airflow. Because sleeping pad R-value determines warmth far more than sleeping bag fill alone, using this cot in shoulder seasons requires an insulated pad placed directly on the deck. Without a pad to mitigate convective heat loss, cold air circulating below the fabric pulls body heat downward rapidly, regardless of whether a heavy sleeping bag is utilized above.
Value and market positioning
Priced at $54.99, the Trailhead II sits firmly in the entry-tier segment of elevated camp furniture. Backed by a 4.4 out of 5-star aggregate rating across nearly 25,000 user reviews, it demonstrates proven mechanical reliability among budget-conscious vehicle campers. Higher-end camp cots from technical brands often exceed $150 to $250, primarily to achieve lower weight thresholds through the use of DAC aluminum poles and proprietary lever-locking hubs. The Trailhead II foregoes weight optimization entirely, opting for heavy steel components that keep manufacturing costs down while maintaining a dependable 300-pound load threshold. For car campers, seasonal deer hunters, and hosts needing an emergency residential cot, the price-to-utility ratio is exceptionally high. The main compromise remains ergonomics during tensioning, where budget tolerances demand brute force over smooth, mechanical lever assistance found on costlier alternatives.
Who should look elsewhere
Backpackers and self-supported human-powered travelers should completely avoid the Trailhead II. Because packed weight, not trail weight, is what you carry, hauling a 21.5-pound cot on anything beyond a walk from the trunk to the campsite is fundamentally impractical. Campers taller than 6 feet 2 inches will find their heads or feet pressing hard against the rigid steel cross-bars at the perimeter, resulting in severe comfort deficits during the night. Additionally, individuals with limited hand strength or wrist mobility should skip this model, as tensioning the terminal cross-bar demands brute levering power that can prove difficult without assistance. Campers operating inside low-profile backpacking tents must also look elsewhere; the 17-inch platform height requires a tall cabin-style or four-person dome tent to ensure occupants can sit up without their heads driving into the shelter roof canopy.
Specifications
Recorded from the listing
Included Components
Cot
Size
Full
Item Weight
21.5 pounds
Additional Features
Portable, Foldable, Collapsible
Number of Packs
1
Set Name
Single Cot
Item Type Name
Cot
Model Number
2000020274
Brand Name
Coleman
Manufacturer Warranty Description
1 year limited warranty.
Unit Count
1 Count
Manufacturer
Coleman
Number of Items
1
Manufacturer Part Number
2000035688
What to confirm for this exact model
Potential fit
Car camping and elevated warm-weather sleeping. Confirm that the model and included equipment meet your intended use.
Trade-off to resolve
Significant packed weight limits transport distance Check whether this matters for your setup before ordering.
Included equipment and compatibility
Check the exact variant, quantity, dimensions, required accessories and any applicable power or connection requirements. A missing specification is unknown, not proof that a feature is absent.
Ownership and purchase terms
Verify seller, delivered price, return conditions and manufacturer warranty for your location. Check replacement parts and ongoing costs where applicable.
Recorded price history
2 checks · Sep 28, 2026 to Nov 8, 2026
Prices we read from the Amazon listing on each check, for the new item as sold on the listing page. They are snapshots between checks, not a complete price record; offers can change several times a day.
Latest
$54.99
Lowest recorded
$54.99
Sep 28, 2026
Highest recorded
$54.99
Since previous
No change
Each recorded price check
Checked
Price
Read from
Nov 8, 2026
$54.99
Listing page
Sep 28, 2026
$54.99
Listing import
What the maker claims
—Strong cross-bar steel frame
—Supports up to 300 lb
—Max height: 6 ft. 2 in
—Dimensions: 73 x 35 x 17 in
—Folds to fit in most car trunks
—1-year limited warranty
Common questions
Can this cot be used inside standard camping tents?
Yes, provided the tent possesses adequate peak height. At 17 inches tall, the cot consumes significant vertical clearance. It functions best inside tall dome or cabin tents. Additionally, users should place protective rubber swatches under the steel feet to prevent punctures to the waterproof tent floor fabric.
Do I need an insulated sleeping pad on this cot?
Yes, in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Because the sleeping pad R-value decides warmth far more than bag insulation rating, sleeping elevated off the ground exposes you to convective heat loss. Cold air circulating beneath the fabric strips warmth unless an insulated camping pad rests on the cot deck.
How difficult is the initial setup of the end cross-bars?
Setup requires notable leverage. While the main frame opens easily, tensioning the final cross-bar over the steel pegs requires significant arm strength. The manufacturer does not provide a leverage tool, so users often need to utilize a flat screwdriver or pry bar until the fabric stretches after initial uses.
Is the Coleman Trailhead II suitable for backpacking?
No. The Trailhead II weighs 21.5 pounds and collapses into a package intended for vehicle transport. Packed weight is the definitive factor in foot transit, making this cot completely unviable for backpacking. It is designed strictly for car camping, established basecamps, or indoor emergency guest usage.
How we judge camping gear
Rule 01
Match standardized sleeping-pad R-value and sleeping-bag comfort rating to conditions; neither rating substitutes for the other.
Rule 02
Hydrostatic-head ratings describe fabric water resistance; seams, pitching, ventilation and wind conditions also affect shelter performance.
Rule 03
Packed weight, not trail weight, is what you carry.
Sources and limits
This page summarizes our research reviews of Amazon listings, listed specifications and captured buyer ratings. It is not a hands-on test. Scores are editorial assessments, not measured performance; prices are recorded snapshots and may change. A category can include both main products and accessories, so its overall price range is not the cost of a complete setup.
Most recent product record update: September 28, 2026. Individual records may be older; this is not a verification date for every claim. Prices on this page were read from the listings Nov 8, 2026.
