What is a Pop-up camper?
Pop-up campers, also identified as tent trailers or fold-out campers, are camping trailers that collapse down into a much smaller, compact package, due to their partial canvas structure. Pop-up campers are small recreational vehicles that can be easily towed behind cars, vans, SUVs, or smaller trucks. Most pop-up campers often have a kitchen/ dining area, two beds that slide out on each side of the camper, and sometimes have functioning water, electric, and gas utilities.
What are the proportions?
Most pop-up campers are smaller in size when lowered for travel. When popped up they can sleep anywhere for 2 to 9 people. When lowered most campers are around the size of 8’ x 6’ with height ranging about 4’ but can be smaller or larger depending on the model.
What are some popular brands?
Here are several types of Pop-Up Camper Manufacturers
- Starcraft RV
Manufacturers of the Starflyer and Comet pop-up campers plus numerous more.
- Dutchmen
The manufacturers of Aerolite, Coleman (now Fleetwood), Rubicon, and Kodiak to name a few.
- Jayco
The manufacturers of Jay Series and the Jay Series Sport camping trailers plus several more.
- Palomino
The manufacturers of pop-ups including the Banshee model to name a few.
- Rockwood
Rockwood is a division of Forest River and like their typical trailer, makes excellent popup tent trailers.
- Aliner
Aliner makes an A-frame that is well regarded in the industry
Do they come with AC or heat?
In part, yes, some do! Most pop-up campers don’t usually come with heating or air conditioning, but I have seen most newer pop-up models adding this luxury in their packages. Being partially constructed of a non-insulated canvas, your efforts to heat or cool a pop-up camper will be mainly ineffective and that is thanks to their lack of insulation and extra space. If your pop-up camper doesn’t come with this choice, there are simple DIYs to do to make it more comfortable. For example, adding a permanent AC unit, or using portable fans or space heaters to ensure a more enjoyable camping trip, but don’t expect the camper to lock in the hot or cold air. Use my camping hacks to keep your air temperature inside more tranquil and cost-efficient.
Do they have bathrooms?
The answer is maybe, most of them do not, but newer models do. Making your own outdoor bathroom area outdoors or using camping services are usually what others do. Plus, it allows you to have more room and the hassle of cleaning your camper. If they do the toilet is sometimes a cassette toilet — or a toilet that’s in plain view and in the main living area but hidden under a bedside table. Not ideal if you’re camping with a few people. But if your boondocking you’d be grateful you had one.
Weather concerns
In any travel trailer, lighting and heavy winds could be dangerous. Rain can also be an issue if your camper isn’t properly sealed causing mold and mildew to form. For the foremost, they are dry and safe in mild weather conditions.
Leaky roof
If you’re in the market for a pop-up or concerned about yours in the weather, take a look at these next questions. First, look at how your pop-up was or is being maintained. Is the pop-up stored indoors or out? Has it been in direct sunlight? Was it covered with a tarp? Was it underneath trees? All these questions can determine if you will need to seal your popup for the weather. Sun can play a big role in drying out your campers’ seals and cause cracking to your vent, corners, or roof. Falling branches can also play a role in allowing water to seep in. Store your camper covered is always optimal but not always possible. When possible, a tarping or adding shade over your camper will be the best and help keep future water issues at bay. Another way is resealing your roof and weatherproofing your canvas. These can help with keeping you dry during rain and snowstorms and keeping mold and mildew out. To prevent this, you’ll have to get used to airing things out relatively often.