How Much Do Pop Up Campers Weigh? Things to Consider

Pop Up Campers are convenient and ideal for camping trips, or emergency shelter in the time of need, and are easy to tote from place to place. They are easy to store and can be towed by any size vehicle, depending on your individual needs.

If you have a large family with lots of gear and accessories, you will certainly need a big camper. Most pop up campers are affordable, but you will need to determine which size is right for your vehicle. So how much do pop up campers weigh?

To determine the pop up campers’ weight you have to consider some certain factors. But it is not very easy to do that. So let’s examine the factors you need to consider:

1. The Size of Your Camper

The size of the camper will determine how well your vehicle can maneuver on the road. Safety is important, and your camper’s weight will impact on wear and tear of your vehicle and comfort while traveling.

a/ Small Pop Up Campers

If you have a small van or car; unless you plan to up-size your vehicle, a smaller camper may be ideal. Small pop up campers can weigh between 500 to 650 pounds. They are adequate for the needs of at least two persons traveling with basic camping gear.

Small pop up campers are easy to navigate around turns and are lightweight and unlikely to topple over. The size of your camper will also determine how fast you can go on the road. If your camper is too large, it will obstruct visibility for yourself and other road users.

Large campers will also impede your speed and use more gas per mile.A pop-up camper weighing around 650 pounds is slightly bigger with a larger interior and additional storage space.

b/ Medium Size Campers

Medium size pop up campers can weigh between 800 to 100 pounds. You will need a slightly larger engine for towing and more gas per mile. The heavier your camper, the more strain will be placed on your vehicle. Heavier campers will move at slightly slower speeds on the road. However, medium size campers are usually easy to tow with few if any challenges.

c/ Large Campers

Large pop-up campers can weigh up to 2,000 pounds.If you drive a large SUV or truck, they will be able to handle the weight, plus your camping gear. Large campers are ideal for large families or groups and can handle extended road trips easily.

They have interior space and amenities which can include a kitchenette, living area, storage and extra sleeping spaces. You will, however, need to take it slow around turns, hills and beach terrain.

2. Space and Size

There must be a good balance between the weight of your vehicle and the camper. It is important to consider the space and size before you purchase your camper.

Too much weight on the back of your vehicle will create an imbalance between the front and rear axles. Extra weight on the rear axle will place added pressure on your tires. Too little weight on the front axles will affect how well your vehicle can maneuver on varying terrain.

3. Payload Capacity

Check your payload or cargo capacity. Payload or cargo capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can handle. It includes all occupants, cargo, accessories and the weight placed on the trailer hitch. You will need to carefully consider how much additional weight you plan to carry in your pop up camper.

Additional weight will include water, which can weigh about 8 pounds per gallon. Generators can weigh as much as 90 pounds. Racks, spare tires, trailer hitch, pets, bags, food, coolers, and occupants all add weight to your camper. Slide outs can pack an additional 800 pounds of weight to your pop up camper.

4. Hitch Weight

The hitch weight consists of the axle and tires of the camper and the tongue of the trailer. These extra pounds are directly transferred to your vehicle via the trailer hitch. Choose the right size hitch that can adequately accommodate both the trailer weight and the tongue weight.

5. Dry Hitch Weight

The dry hitch weight is the amount of weight that can be attached to your trailer ball of the vehicle, without any water or gear. It is calculated by adding the weight of the camper, the tires, and the hitch. Ideally, your dry hitch weight should be no more than 10% of the total trailer weight. The average 25’ trailer should have a dry hitch weight of around 500 pounds.

Your best bet may be a dry weight of up to 3,500 pounds so that your gross weight can stay below 5,000 pounds. Some experts recommends a 20% allowance between the dry weight, plus occupants and cargo, and the weight capacity of your vehicle.

6. Maximum Towing Capacity

Your maximum towing capacity is the total trailer weight your vehicle can carry under normal circumstances. It is the total weight (including the driver), minus any cargo or occupants.

When buying a pop-up camper, try not to use the camper’s maximum towing capacity. It is better to allow some “wiggle room” when purchasing your camper. The actual size may vary slightly from what is originally quoted. A good gauge is to add 1,500 pounds to the actual weight of the camper.

The result should not be more than 80% of the total weight of your vehicle. Any excess weight will wreck your transmission over time and reduce the speed at which you can travel, especially uphill.

7. Gross Weight

The gross weight of your pop up camper is the total trailer weight, tanks, plus the average load of gear. The gross weight is the weight each tire can handle, plus the weight the hitch and tongue can accommodate. It is based on the trailer’s tire capacity and not the actual weight of the camper itself.

8. Unloaded Weight

The unloaded weight of your pop up camper is the weight of the trailer only; no water or gear included. It is important to know your unloaded weight so that you can plan effectively for your trip. It will determine how much you can carry that will impact on safety, comfort, and navigation.

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Crucial Tips to Determine the Pop Up Camper’s Weight

1. Safety

Safety is another priority that will determine the weight of your camper. Traction, speed, and maneuverability are safety considerations that impact on the weight of your camper.

Any trailer over 3,000 pounds needs trailer brakes. You can easily install the Trailer brake inside the tow vehicle. If you are purchasing a new pop up camper, choose one with a tow/haul mode. The two/haul mode can help you adjust your shift cycles and transmission to navigate safely when going downhill.

2. Altitude Adjustment

Check your towing rate! If you are traveling at high altitudes, your vehicle will experience less towing capacity and engine power. The higher you climb, the thinner the air gets. Your towing rate should be at least 2% for altitudes up to 1,000 feet above sea level. You will need to reduce your speed and gears accordingly.

3. Fuel Efficiency

How much your pop up camper weighs can affect how fast or slow your travel is. The weight will affect how much fuel you will use per mile and how far you can go on any trip. It’s important to manage your fuel costs when sightseeing so that you can have a comfortable and enjoyable trip. Choose a pop-up camper that will strike a good balance between the weight of the vehicle and the camper.

4. Storage Capacity

Will it depend largely on your storage need? Choose a camper that can be easily folded into smaller sizes when you are not camping. Fold-down campers can fit in garages or other spaces close to home for safety and security.

Some pop-up campers are made from canvas that can be easily folded to maximize on limited space.

5. Customizing

There is a pop-up camper for your specific needs. If you are a “newbie” to camping or a seasoned trouper, no need to worry. You can choose a camper to fit your unique tastes and style. They can be fitted with the basics for a single traveler or small family. For larger families, they can be accessorized with beds, kitchenettes, bathrooms, air-conditioning and storage shelves.

You can also add rear and overhead racks for towing bikes, kayaks, etc. to enhance your camping experience.

6. Weight and Accessories

Pop up campers are very convenient to carry. When you consider the right weight and accessories to suit your vehicle, it’s a breeze. Campers are easy to hook up to any existing vehicle. When you arrive at your destination, unhitching is usually done easily and efficiently.

Pros and Cons of Pop up Campers

Are pop up campers beneficial for any RV camper? If so, what are some of the advantages of owning a pop-up camper? And as is always the case with any other product out there, are there some known demerits of these RV camping materials? So let us discuss the pros and cons of pop up campers in details so that we can know more about them.

Is it worth spending on a pop-up camper? These are some of the questions that could be troubling your mind at this time. However, we have keenly looked at these products and came up with the following findings. They are going to be very important as you decide on whether you really need to buy a pop-up camper.

Pros of pop up campers

Pop up campers are small-sized. This makes them easy to transport to any destination as they occupy the least space possible. Owing to the fact that you will be carrying other items for your RV camping as well, you only need to carry accessories that will occupy small spaces. The small sizes also make the pop-up campers easy to tow and store.
Pop up campers that are foldable usually, make it possible to transport any additional camping accessories that could have been left behind only to realize later when all the stuff have been packaged. You can as well make use of the additional storage areas found at the bunk beds to store additional materials you might need at a campground.
Pop up campers are lightweight which makes your camping experience a less tedious one. This can be attributed to their canvas sides. This is the main reason as to why they are easy to tow. Given that they are also foldable reduce their profile and hence no obstructions to your view while driving.
Pop up campers are more comfortable compared to the camping tents. The comfort is mainly due to the fact that the camper isn’t pitched to the ground as is normally the case with tents. Most of these campers are fitted with heating units, bathroom sections, and televisions among others just to make your stay a comfortable one. The comfort can be enjoyed by not just one but all the occupants of the camper.
Pop up campers have their own canvasses that can be unzipped so as to let in sufficient air. You really need sufficient amount of air flowing in the camper to ensure you are comfortable at any given time.
Pop up campers are reasonably priced which makes them affordable to many campers. Camping is something that is done once in a while and shouldn’t be a costly venture. Pop up campers are surely a cheaper option you can find out there. The other good thing about the campers is that they are available at varied prices; therefore, you can afford one even if you are tight on budget.

Cons of Pop up Campers

The main drawback of the pop-up campers is the difficulty encountered during their set up process. It is the same case when you need to take the camper down. The amount of time it takes to either put up or down the camper isn’t anything desirable for any owner. At times you might end up with a lot of frustrations which might negatively affect your camping experience.
Due to their small sizes, the number of amenities for use might be limited which is another disadvantage of having these pop-up campers with you at a campsite. Having fewer amenities for your camping trip can at times limit your levels of comfort.
Pop up campers cannot be stored when wet as they can grow mildew, fungus, molds and at times even rot. This can be disadvantageous if you plan to camp in a wet environment or on a rainy day. You don’t want to end up with a useless product just after the first trip.

Those are the pros and cons of pop campers. As you have seen above, pop up campers have numerous merits compared to the demerits. You can, therefore, go ahead and buy a pop-up camper for your next RV camping session. You will definitely enjoy most, if not all of the above advantages. Pop up campers are the cheapest alternatives to tents for any camping activity.

Final Thought

Camping is a great way to connect with nature, spend time with family and explore the great outdoors. It can be educational for growing kids and a way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A pop-up camper is available for your every need. They are affordable and can be attached to your vehicle, whether large or small. Accessories such as kitchenettes, beds, racks and other accessories can be easily added for your comfort and enjoyment.

Things To Consider On How Much Do Pop Up Campers Weigh