Pop-Up Camper Weight (and Ideal Cars That Can Tow

Wondering how much do pop up camper weigh?

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1 Wondering how much do pop up camper weigh?

2 Want to know whether your car will be able to pull it or not?

3 Some examples of smaller campers weighing less than 1000 lbs:

4 What is the weight of a small pop-up camper?

5 What is the weight of a medium pop-up camper?

6 What Is The Weight Of A Large Pop-Up Camper?

7 Can a car pull a pop-up camper?

8 Rockwood Freedom 1940LTDWhat Is The Weight Of A Large Pop-Up Camper?

Want to know whether your car will be able to pull it or not?

Pop-up camper weight ranges between 800 to 3700 lbs based on their style, size and construction type

Basic tent trailer style pop up campers generally weigh between 800 to 2150 lbs; where as the hard sided A-Frame type campers are slightly heavier between 1560 to 2430 lbs

Off grid, hybrid or extreme sport styled pop up campers are on higher side between 2100 to 3740 lbs

Weight of a camper is an important factor that comes to mind when you are about to shop or rent one

Towable campers need to be as low in weight as possible, that’s what people want

But, weight is directly proportional to the number of amenities you have inside the camper

And thus, more amenities mean more weight

A pop up camper comes at a weight, that is much less than other towable RVs, like travel trailer and fifth wheels

The number of options that you get in pop up campers is also great, you just need to pick the one that matches your needs

Average weight of a pop up camper

On an average pop up campers weigh much less as compared to other towable RV’s like travel trailer or fifth wheel

Because they weigh so less, most modern cars or trucks can easily tow them

Here are some popular pop up campers and their dry weight

Pop Up CamperWeightFeaturesTaxa Outdoors Cricket1800 lbsLength : 15′Water capacity : 15 GallonsGVWR : 1500 lbsTongue Weight : 170 lbsSleeps : 4Cargo Capacity : 700 lbsOpus -LTE2380 lbsGVWR : 3572 lbsLength : 17’2″Water Capacity : 20 GallonsTongue Weight : 209 lbsViking Epic Series1577 lbsGVWR : 2942 lbsLength: 12’2″Water Capacity : 16 GallonsSleeps : 3Cargo Weight : 1365 lbsTongue Weight : 203 lbsOPUS 2-SLEEPER2777 lbsGVWR : 3970 lbslength : 18’4″Sleeps : 4Coachmen Clipper LS2204 lbsGVWR : 3223 lbsLength : 23’5″Aliner Ranger 101225 lbsGVWR: 2500 lbsLenght: 12’8″Opus On-Road1577 lbsGVWR : 3500 lbsLength : 14’2″Starcraft Comet1,840 lbsLength : 21′OP 15′ Hybrid4960 lbsGVWR : 6600 lbsLength : 15′Water Capacity : 63 Gallons13,500 BTU Dometic ACForest River T12RBTH2392 lbsLength : 22’1″OPUS 4-SLEEPER2870 lbsGVWR : 3970 lbsWater Capacity : 40 GallonsLength : 18’4″Sleeps : 6Aliner LXE1795 lbsGVWR : 2500 lbsLength : 15′SylvanSport GO840 lbsLength : 11′Sleeps : 4

Several pop up campers have weight in between the numbers i have put above

For example, See this pop up tent trailer camper that weighs little above 800 lbs

You will see many pop up campers come at weight that’s under 1500 lbs as well as those that are slightly above 3200 lbs

Just like how a travel trailer or a fifth wheel would have a weight varying depending on the length, pop up campers too have varying weights

You would get pop up campers that are mini sized, medium sized or little bigger large sized

The main reason why people want to know the weight of a pop up camper is because the weight affects the way you will tow it using your vehicle

A high weight camper would be difficult to tow and also put pressure on your towing car

Pop up campers due to their low height are perfect fit for many people who want to camp light and not so far from their home

A mini size pop up camper weighing around 600-800 pounds can be easily maneuvered and towed with ease

In-fact, at times you will not even feel much weight that you are towing

Construction type of pop up campers also makes the difference in its weight

A light weight pop up camper is not only ease to hitch but also provides good mileage

Having a good balance between your tow vehicle and the towed trailer is important and with pop up campers you get the advantage of proper balancing

With weight just above 800 lbs or close to 2000 lbs a sedan can be sufficient to pull it off

But yes, for a longer distance travel you better use a car that is more than capable

Here are some of the important camper weight ratings you should know

Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW): This is the weight of a camper excluding the passengers and accessories

This is basically the weight of camper when you just get the camper from the manufacturer

Gross Axel Weight Rating (GAWR): This is the maximum distributed weight (including all the cargo) that the axles can support

Gross Vehicle Weight Ratio (GVWR): This is the maximum weight including passengers, accessories and fluids that a camper can support

Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) : This rating indicates the maximum cargo that the camper can carry

Tongue Weight : This is the weight exerted on the hitch when the camper is placed behind the vehicle

It should be between 10 to 15% of the camper weight

Smaller pop up camper weight

A very smaller pop up camper can weigh just a little over 700 lbs

These campers can be a perfect fit for couples who just don’t care about amenities and stuff; and just want to head out with whatever they have

With such weight, you just don’t have to care about much towing issues

You can use your daily usage car for towing these and don’t have to be bothered about whether your car is capable or not

Some examples of smaller campers weighing less than 1000 lbs:

Mid sized and little larger pop up camper weight

You also get pop up campers that are little larger and weigh more than 700 lbs

There are those which weigh around 2000 lbs and just a little above

Even with biggest of the pop up campers , you will be able to tow them with a normal car, that’s the advantage

With larger camper you may need a slightly better powered car

With a pop up camper weighing around 2000 lbs, also you need to be more careful as compared to the lowest weighing campers

The mgp of your car will also impact a little bit when you tow more than 1000 lbs

But, overall if you compare them with travel trailer or a fifth wheel, you are much better off with them

The reason why pop up camper are light weight is because of the less amenities packed in

In rv’s More amenities mean more length and thus increase of weight

Some examples of pop up camper weighing little over 1500 lbs

Jayco Jay Sport – A pop up camper weighing around 1500 lbs to 1800 bsViking Epic Series – pop up campers weighing around 1600 lbsCoachmen Clipper campers weighing a little over 1800 lbsForest River Flagstaff Classic Hard sided weighing around 2000 lbs

Will my car be able to tow the pop up camper

tips for towing a camper

This is an important and obvious question for those who have just now bought a pop up camper or are thinking to buy a new one

In order for your car to successfully pull the pop up camper, it should have towing capacity rating that is higher than the Gross Vehicle Weight rating of the pop up camper

Its a vital question not only because you want to know either you need special car arrangement or you could just use the one that you already have

Bigger towing rv’s like travel trailers or fifth wheel need cars that are powerful enough or they need trucks to pull them

You would be able to tow them without any special need of powerful car or trucks

Now that’s an advantage, you don’t have to spend on that towing vehicle like you would do in case of travel trailer or fifth wheel

Although we say that your sedan can just do the job, just be a little careful to see the weight of your pop up camper

Although, on an average and most of the pop up campers will be within that 2000 lbs, you may sometimes have a little bit heavier one and that’s why you just cross check

Remember, its not only going to be the dry weight to check

You may also need to weigh everything else on the camper

Lets see some of the important things you need to know when pulling a camper behind car

Dry weight of the camper

This is the weight of your pop up camper without having anything on it

This weight is helpful, but will not tell you the whole story when you actually start pulling it with a car

This is the weight that your camper tongue will put on a hitch

Gross vehicle weight

This is the actual weight of the camper being towed

It includes the dry weight of your camper, weight of passengers, water weight, fuel weight and weight of everything that is present in a camper

Maximum trailer weight

This is the parameter that will be with your towing car

This is the maximum weight limit that can be towed

For this, you need to check with the car manufacturing manual

Payload or cargo capacity is the total weight your camper can handle

This includes weight put on due to storage water, accessories, fuel

Hitch Weight

This is the weight put on by the campers tires, hitch and tongue on t you camper

Even though pop up camper will just do fine with any car that you have; better check the cars ability before heading out

An old car, specially may need to be checked as its capability may have reduced

Knowing all weight parameters is the best thing

This is specially true when buying other trailers like travel trailer or fifth wheel when the weight is extremely critical factor

A dry weight as we see is just a number and you cannot go ahead with that,Make sure your overall weight does not exceed the limit

A pop up camper although small can be used to carry other things like kayak etc and that can add on the weight

So, make sure you don’t keep on adding weight and stay within limit

A weight of 2000-3000 lbs can be enough to imbalance the car that is towing

Steering may loose balance with weight being towed and could be dangerous

No matter how much weight is, but its always better to stay safe and drive carefully

Weight balancing is another thing in trailers

Weight distribution is important when towing behind car, make sure you do not put extra weight on only side and make sure all weight is distributed properly

A hitch specially designed for making sure weight is properly distributed is also available, you can make use of that

Most of the safety tips that you follow with travel trailer or fifth wheel also apply for pop up campers

Towing a vehicle behind can be intimidating no matter how much is the weight

Knowing the weight of your camper is one of the important thing and following related parameters is also equally important

Backing can be problem when you have a towed camper backside and that time you should make sure you do that with high care and with minimum speed

What affects pop-up camper weight

jayco pop up camper

Apart from the amenities that are packed inside, the construction type and material also affects how much your camper weighs

A similar length campers can weigh differently and it depends on the type of material being used in its manufacturing

An aluminium made pop up campers are light in weight and easy to tow

The main idea of the pop up camper construction is to make sure weight is reduced

A pop up camper should have its roof raised before you start using it

A lifter system with better innovations reduces the weight and makes it easy to use

This is significant part of the pop up camper which puts on weight and with better method, the weights have reduced

This is the bed support that can hold a weight of 1000 pounds

Roof weight is significant not only in pop up campers, but also in other rv’s

Material used in floor is also a factor that decides weight of the pop up camper

Laminates tend to be more heavier and can increase the overall weight of your camper

Lets talk a little bit about how much weight they can handle

They do have their weight limits which is explained by GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating)

A great way to stay inside this limits is to try different tips and tricks to organize the pop up in a better way

Pop up campers have canvas or fabric on the walls and roofs

Check this detailed guide on which national parks do not allow pop-up campers

A light weight pop up camper is a breeze for towing

People who love to go adventure with whatever they have and don’t care much about stuff they carry, love the idea of pop up camper

A pop up camper is not going to give you a good headroom, it will be less in sleeping area

You can also find pop up campers that include showers and toilet, but then it would be increasing the cost, and will that be a wise decision?

Pop up campers in first place are for those who want to spend less and get whatever in that range

A bigger pop up camper with added amenities is actually pushing you towards a smaller travel trailer (which actually should be a good buy at that range)

Toilet and shower should be included in the rv that’s what i feel, better go for these things with a slight increasing budget

Remember, with pop up camper of “that size” you are always going to compromising, but it depends for what purposes you are using it

A pop up camper don’t have air conditioning or heater and thus it could be an issue during cold or high temperature times

But, it may not as good as what you would get in a travel trailer or fifth wheel

Pop up campers during bad weather times are not the ideal ones

Pop up camper score well on miles per gallon, if you compare them with travel trailer or fifth wheels

A weight of less than 2000 lbs does not put much miles on your car, where as with bigger travel trailer you will get very less miles per gallon and thus the overall cost or expenditure increases

With pop up campers you may not need bigger storage area in your garage

Pop up camper can also be folded and that means you may need half or even less space than the actual space or length of your camper

Travel trailer or fifth wheels are massive and need bigger garage for storage

With pop up campers, you would practically never need to rent a space and spend more

Hard side pop up campers or hybrid pop up are better in insulation

Pop up campers can be customized as per needs

You can modify them to fit for a single traveler or for a smaller family easily

That is something that is a little bit difficult with travel trailer or fifth wheel, modifying could also be more costly

Weight comparison with travel trailers or fifth wheel

Travel trailers or fifth wheels on an average weigh around 5000 lbs to 15000 lbs

This is a big weight for car or trucks to tow

Pop up camper on the other hand are very less in weight, they are not even half, but less then that

If you just don’t want to handle bigger weight while towing, then go for pop up camper

They are smaller and light, but do not provide for amenities and lifestyle provided by most travel trailers

Pop up campers however, are not available in abundance like travel trailers (which are available in lots)

People also build their own pop up campers, but do not try this as it needs skill and proper knowledge

Pop up camper are dry camping friendly

People have been using tent trailer for years, but with pop up campers this can be done with more luxury

A pop up camper comes great when you want to head out inside a forest or muddy road

A pop up camper gives a fresh water tank of upto 25 gallons (that’s lot for a boondocking trip) and grey water storage of upto 12 gallons

And you can do a nature connect through you pop up camper

Pop up camper provide a great way to enjoy nature along with your family, having those little amenities with you

A pop up camper is a breeze for you storage area and you just do fine with whatever kind of garage you have

Repair and replacement of parts in pop up campers is easy as compared to travel trailers

Go for pop up campers if you like to keep things simple yet have some benefits of amenities

That’s the real advantage with pop up campers

What is the weight of a small pop-up camper?

What is the weight of a medium pop-up camper?

What Is The Weight Of A Large Pop-Up Camper?

Can a car pull a pop-up camper?

The average weight of a pop-up camper is approximately 2,000 lbs

This weight is for your typically tent camper or a hard-sided pop-up camper

Some expedition pop ups such as the Opus weigh on average 3,250 lbs

The weight of the pop-up campers in our 13 examples is shown in two weight classifications

Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

When figuring out what tow vehicle you need to use it’s important to know the difference

UVW – Unloaded vehicle weight is the weight of the pop-up as manufactured at the factory

It does not include the weight of any cargo, propane, water or any accessories installed by the dealer

GVWR – This is the weight of the popup when it is full

It means the total weight you cannot surpass after you stow gear, water, propane etc

Going over the GVWR can negatively affect your camper or the vehicle you are using to tow

Pop Up Camper Tongue Weight

The tongue weight of a pop-up camper is the static force the trailer tongue exerts on the hitch

Ensuring you have the correct tongue weight is important

Not having enough weight on the trailer tongue may cause your camper to sway from side-to-side making it very difficult to control

If you have too much weight on the hitch ball you then could overload your rear tires causing the rear end of the vehicle to be pushed around

Below is a sample of pop-up camper tongue weight

ModelTongue WeightSylvanSport Go85 lbsClipper Express 9077 lbsClipper Express 120TD250 lbsClipper Sport 108ST187 lbsClipper V-Trec V2290 lbsFlagstaff STSE Sports254 lbsRockwood Freedom 1940LTD195 lbsWhat is the weight of a small pop-up camper?

A small or mini pop-up camper can weight as little as 500 lbs and up to approximately 1,000 lbs

For a couple or a family with young ones who want to go on a weekend fishing or hiking trip a small pop up is perfect

Being small they can be towed with a car and are very easy to maneuver

The Clipper Express 90 is a good example of a small camper

It has an UVW rating of 761 lbs

and a cargo carry weight of 516 lbs

making it light enough to be towed by most small SUV or even a car

Coachmen Clipper Express 90 Unloaded Vehicle Weight 761 lbsWhat is the weight of a medium pop-up camper?

A medium tent camper can weight anywhere from 1,500 lbs to 2,500 lbs

Medium popups can be used for longer trips since they have more room, bigger cooking space, larger sleeping quarters and more storage

A family of four can easily live in a medium-sized camper for more than a weekend

Because they are larger and heavier you will need a tow vehicle that is suitable

A family sedan is not going to be able to tow one of these

You’ll need at a minimum a small SUV or larger or a pickup with a towing capacity of about 40% than the weight GVWR of what you are towing

The Rockwood Freedom 1940LTD is a good example of a medium-sized pop-up camper

and a Cargo Carry Capacity of 683 lbs

Rockwood Freedom 1940LTDWhat Is The Weight Of A Large Pop-Up Camper?

In this group I’m going to place some of off-grid or expedition pop-up campers

Many of these camper are well over 3,000 lbs

For example the TAXA Outdoors Cricket is built on a steel chassis, it features steel gravel guards, and many other durable materials that add strength and durablilty but also increase the overall weight of the camper

The Taxa Cricket Overland Edition has a UVW of 1,978 lbs and a Cargo Carrying Capacity of 1,022 lbs making giving it a GVWR of 3,000 lbs

You’ll need a tow vehicle with towing capacity of at least 4,200 lbs

The general rule of thumb is that you want to only use 60-65% of your vehicle towing capacity

Let say you have a Jeep Grand Cherokee that can tow 6,200 lbs

Using our rule of thumb (60% of 6,200 lbs) you can safely tow a camper with a maximum GVWR of about 3,720 lbs

Compared to other types of campers no, they are not hard to tow

In addition, if the GVWR of your camper is 50% or higher than the tow vehicle curb weight you should consider an appropriate weight distribution system

On average a Jayco pop-up camper will weigh about 1,500 lbs

Below is a list of a few Jayco pop-up campers and their weight

All weights are unloaded vehicle weight

ModelYearWeightWeight ClassificationJayco Jay 12UD20191,895 lbsUVWJayco Jay Sport 12SC20182,385 lbsUVWJayco Jay Sport 12SC20181,720 lbsUVWJayco Jay Sport 8SD20191,570 lbsUVWCan a car pull a pop-up camper?

Depending on the towing capacity of the car and the GVWR of the camper a car can a pop-up camper

On average a typical family sedan can tow anywhere from 1,000 lbs

Depending on your vehicle it could severely limit what size camper you can tow

The SylvanSport Go is one camper we know that is less than 840 pounds and just about any car can tow it

The Livin’ Lite Quicksilver 90 (discontinued) is another lightweight popup camper coming in at a UVW of 994 lbs

You’ll need to take cargo load into account for your final GVWR

A 4-cylinder can can tow a pop-up camper is you keep your camper’s GVWR at least 40% below the towing capacity of the vehicle

For example a Subaru Ascent with a 4-cylinder turbo has a towing capacity of 4,000 lbs and has more low-end torque than some V6 vehicles

The lightest pop-up camper we have come across is the SylvanSport Go It weighs 840 lbs and can sleep 2 adults and 2 children

Now that you know the average weight of a pop-up camper it will be easier for you to select one based on the towing capacity of your vehicle

Ensuring you have sufficient towing capacity means you need to consider the GVWR of the camper and make sure your towing vehicle can handle it without maxing out

You need that reserve towing capacity of about 40% to accelerate when merging onto highways and going uphill

Pop-up campers are the ideal low-cost solution for people wanting to enjoy the RV lifestyle

The problem many shoppers have is not understanding how pop-up camper weight affects their vehicle’s ability to tow it safely

Just because these foldable travel trailers are lightweight doesn’t mean you can tow them with any car or truck

That’s why I provide all the crucial details about pop-ups right here in this guide

Weights of each size of pop-up camper with examplesHow camper amenities affect pop up camper weightSimple explanation of important camper, hitch, and vehicle weight ratingsCars and SUVs with pop-up trailer towing capacityWhat to consider when packing for a camping tripWhether or not your pop up camper needs trailer brakes

To safely reach any camping destination, you must use a powerful tow vehicle, stay under the weight recommendations for carrying capacity, and pack correctly

How Much Pop-Up Campers Weigh With 15 Examples

For quick reference, the average weight of a pop-up camper is 2,000 pounds

The lightest pop-up models are as low as 350 pounds, while the heaviest come in at 4,500 pounds

Pop-up campers come in many sizes

Small Pop-Ups – 12 Foot and Under Box Length

Small pop-ups weigh from 350 to 1,000 pounds

Many smaller vehicles that offer a tow rating can pull these lightweight campers

Most smaller pop-ups are for solo or couple camping, but some basic models can fit a small family

Top Five Pop-Up Campers Under 1,000 Pounds

MODELWEIGH, lbsLivin’ Lite Quicksilver60 – 694Coachman Viking761Earthcruiser MOD (Truck camper pop-up)800SylvanSport Go840Livin’ Lite Quicksilver80 – 865

Medium Pop-Ups – 12-20 Foot Box Length

Medium pop-up campers weigh an average of 1,500 pounds

These campers are best for small families or couples who want more space to spread out while camping

Top Five Mid-Weight Pop-Up Campers – 1,000 to 2,000 Pounds

Large Pop-Ups – Over 20 Foot Box Length

Top Five Large Pop-Up Campers Over 2,000 Pounds

Large pop-ups typically need the towing capacity power of an SUV, but the trade-off is much more living and sleeping space and convenient amenities like a bathroom, kitchen, heater, adjustable coverings for better weather protection, and plenty of storage

Large pop-ups are ideal for families and full-time or seasonal camping couples who like the ease and fuel savings of travel a foldable camper provides

How Camper Amenities Affect Pop-Up Camper Weight

Pop-up campers can range from bare-bones to luxury models

When you start to upgrade the pop-up with accessories like stoves, bathrooms, refrigerator, air conditioner, fans, bike or boat racks, spare tires, or extra propane tanks, the weight will increase dramatically

Tons of storage in a pop-up can also be a secret source of issues

Once you fill all those nooks and crannies, you can easily exceed your towing capacity

Making your pop-up as cozy as possible is an excellent idea since it will make camping more stress-free but keep in mind your vehicle’s towing capacity

An affordable pop-up trailer that can fit your big family for weekend camping won’t be such a deal if you end up needing to buy a new vehicle with higher towing power

Breakdown of Camper Weight Ratings

Aside from your vehicle towing capacity, there are several other weights or ratings you’ll need to clearly understand before buying or traveling with a pop-up camper

You must also match your hitch rating to your camper’s weight, so it can securely pull the trailer without failure

UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight)

The UVW is the standard weight rating given to a pop-up trailer by the manufacturer

The weight includes the main camper components, axles, full propane (LP) tank, and the tongue/hitch weight

RV sellers love to highlight the UVW since it makes the pop-up seem more lightweight, which increases the chance it will fall within your vehicle’s towing capacity

But, unless you plan never to add supplies to the camper, this number is only a benchmark and not the most important for actual use

The CCC is the extra weight you can safely add to the camper for towing without causing axles or other components to fail

Each manufacturer will specify a CCC weight for each model of pop up they make

Supplies like food, water, camping gear, etc, add up quickly, so always get out the scale and weigh items as you add them to the pop-up so you can stay below the CCC number

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)

The GAWR is the number that is most important to stay within when towing a travel trailer

The rating is the maximum amount of weight the camper’s axle can support and will include the UVW and CCC

As most pop-ups only have one axle, it needs to handle all the weight of not only the actual camper structure but all the supplies you load inside

Very long pop-ups do have dual axles

GVRW (Gross Vehicle Weight Ratio)

The GVRW combines the camper dry weight, cargo-carrying capacity, tongue (or hitch) weight, and the weight of occupants during use

Since a pop-up is not a motorhome, where people’s weight is part of the “cargo,” you don’t need to concern yourself with counting that number toward your weight total for travel

But, you must be aware that a family of four can add 400-600 pounds on average to the camper’s weight

Any extra weight over the GVWR puts undue strain on the axles or flooring and may cause damage

GTW (Gross Trailer Weight)

The GTW is the total weight of UVW and cargo you load into the pop-up

You need to know your gross trailer weight to determine your hitch weight requirements

Hitch (Tongue) Weight

Hitch weight, also called tongue weight, is the amount of downward force the trailer puts on the camper hitch

The rule is that the hitch weight should never exceed 10% to 15% of the gross GTW

The purpose of knowing the correct hitch weight is to ensure the camper load is in balance over the axle and not forcing down too much on the back of your tow vehicle

There are several ways to find the hitch weight of your pop up trailer at home or by using a commercial scale found at truck stops

NOTE: You’ll often hear RVers state the “experts” recommend having around 60% of the cargo weight favoring the hitch side of the camper

This ratio doesn’t mean you push more of your belongings toward the front of the camper before travel, and you’re good

This trick only works out if the hitch weight falls under 15%, as anything over that is dangerous

Before we jump into the cars and SUVs with a high towing capacity, let me answer a couple of common questions about vehicle towing capacity

To safely tow the heaviest pop-up, including all your camping gear and passengers, your vehicle will need to have a 5,500-pound towing capacity

Luckily, if your car or SUV has a lower towing capability, there will most likely be a pop-up camper that can work for your needs

Heck, they even make pop-ups you can tow with a motorcycle, like the Kompact Kamp Mini Mate

These handy camping trailers for motorcycles weigh between 250-400 pounds

Always remember that the weight your tow vehicle must be able to handle is a fully-loaded pop-up, not the empty trailer

What this rating weight means is if you own a vehicle with a 3,500 tow capacity and go shopping for a camper, don’t get all excited for the 3,000-pound trailer the salesperson is trying to sell

Once you pack that pop-up for a trip, you are sure to exceed the safe towing capacity of your vehicle

Top 10 Vehicles for Towing a Pop-Up

Here are the best cars and SUVs with ample tow ratings for pop-up campers

SUVs provide the max towing capacity of non-truck vehicles, but with a wide array of super-lightweight pop-ups on the market, many cars can also pull a trailer

The first thing to consider when loading up your pop-up for a camping getaway is to try to pack sparingly

Better fuel economyLess wear and tear on the camper and tow vehicleMore control over the trailer while drivingShort braking and acceleration timesLess “stuff” to unpack and repack at your campsite

Water weighs eight pounds per gallon and is essential when boondock camping

Pack the camper, so more weight is toward the front, as long as it doesn’t exceed the tongue weight rating

Having a bit of pressure on the rear of the tow vehicle improves control and traction

If the weight favors the rear of the pop-up travel trailer, it will cause lifting at the hitch location, raising the rear tires of the tow vehicle enough to lose control more easily under highway speeds

Many bigger pop-ups come with trailer brakes as a standard or optional accessory

In general, it’s best to install brakes on any weight or size of a trailer, as they improve safety under many conditions such as:

When stopped on an incline – it takes the pressure off your tow vehicleFaster stops during unexpected braking situationsWhen roadways are slippery due to rain, snow, or ice, the trailer moves and stops with your vehicle more reliably

There are two types of trailer brakes

The most common has a wiring harness with a socket up by your hitch, so you can hook up to your vehicle’s brake system during towing

There are also hydraulic trailer brakes (also called surge or inertia brakes) that work independently of the tow vehicle and requires no wiring, which makes hooking up your camper even easier

Pop-Up Camper Weight Wrap Up

Pop-up campers are the perfect fit for those who want a step up from tent camping but prefer an affordable, easy-to-store recreational vehicle they can tow without a heavy-duty truck

Finding the perfect pop-up should be a breeze now that you know all the vital information inside this guide to pop-up camper weight