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If your reading this post you probably are at least considering going out in an RV and exploring the outdoors, but if your not quite sure if you should take the plunge into a full on trailer or motorhome, then a pop up trailer may be a great start.
A pop up trailer or “fold out camper” is designed to have a the comforts of a trailer but still retain the essence of tenting. You have storage, sleeping space and enough room to enjoy your stay anywhere you roam.
With the easy folding design you can stop, set up, take a nap and hit the road in no time. Their light weight makes them a great option for just about any vehicle (always check you vehicles tow rating) with a standard weight of 2000 pounds.
Just like any purchase make sure you know how you want to travel and where you plan on staying, you can find quality used Pop ups just about anywhere these days and are relatively fair priced, you can find used ones for as little as $2,000.
A few things you need to know about Pop up campers
1. They are essentially a tent on wheels
If you have ever gone camping in the traditional way (roughing it in a tent), then you know sleeping in a tent has its ups and downs. Like in a tent pop up trailers do get hot, normally on a pop up trailer with canvas sides (like the one above) there usually is no A/C or Heat. Their construction is made of metal and wood with little insulation, if you plan on using a pop up trailer in the summer make sure you know what the weather is like at your destination so you can be properly prepared.
Being essentially a tent on wheels, it is good practice to air out the RV after it rains in order to keep mold and mildew from growing on both the inside and out, also if the camper is wet its not recommended packing up before it is thoroughly dried or you could start to have mold grow on the awnings.
“Rain, rain go away”
Just like a tent you may have rain water enter the camper, depending on how your windows are constructed, keep in mind that it is recommended to try to have shelter available to pull your camper under during heavy rains.
2. They can have little to no outside noise suppression
This could be a great thing! you can sleep in the woods hear the woodpecker beating on the tree, hear the wind flowing and enjoy the sounds of nature, BUT if you are camping at a camp ground you will hear everything else going on around you, like cars driving by, generators running and even conversations from the camper next door.
If yours is equipped with a generator remember it may be noisy, in fact you may have a hard time sleeping if you decide to run your generator at night.
Again make sure you know how you are going to use your camper, if you plan on using it for a mobile hunting or fishing cabin, or even a weekend getaway at a lake, this may be a great option. but if planning on staying at populated area you may want to look in to a hard top pop up trailer
3. They are incredibly light
Besides getting out and exploring nature in its purest form, you have the advantage of hauling a light nimble trailer.
When first deciding to purchase any type of towable RV you may be at least a little intimidated by the size of a standard trailer. Not to mention If you don’t have a truck or heavy SUV to pull a large trailer then there is another cost you have to consider. But a small lightweight pop up can be pulled from most vehicles on the road today.
With an average weight of 2,000 lbs it is easily transportable and when it is in its folded compact position it has a low center of gravity and and has an average height of 5′ making highway driving a breeze. Most family vehicles such as minivans, small SUVs and even some cars have the power to tow a small trailer like this.
DISCLAMER:
Always check with your vehicles manufacturer to ensure your vehicle is properly equipped to safely tow not only the weight of your trailer, but the added weight of its contents.
4. Easy to store and park due to their small size
With their lengths ranging from 8′ to 16′ long and 5′ to 7’6″ wide they can easily fit into small spaces for storage, some people even keep them tucked away in a garage when not in use.
Being a small trailer you can set up and be on the road in just a few minutes, making it a great weekend getaway option.
5. Living space
Just like camping in a tent there is little living space, even with the biggest pop up trailer, space will be limited, that’s just the nature of these nimble options. Just because you’re lacking on space doesn’t mean you have to lack on amenities, you do get basic options such as:
- A kitchen
- Mini fridge
- Bed
- Storage space
- Optional items
- Toilet
- Heat and A/C
- Hot water heater
- Shower
- Optional items
6. folding options are a great way to maximize space
When using a pop up, you will find that storage is at a premium and finding ways to haul more with less space can be tricky. by doing a quick Amazon search you can find several items that fold up and can be stored just about any where. here are a few items I found that could help you maximize space.
7. Its okay to go used, just be weary of major repairs.
Like Mentioned earlier, you can find reasonably price campers online and at local dealers, but like any other purchase of a used item be weary of the repairs and maintenance that has or has not been performed.
The advantage of a pop up is in fact their price, they can range from several hundred to $5,000. The thing about these are that if you are a person that is handy and knows how to perform basic repairs then you can easily work on a trailer and make it more livable.
Overhauling a pop up camper isn’t really a hard thing to do. With their basic design and minimal electric and plumbing you can easily rebuild or over haul a camper in your driveway, but of course make sure you know what your getting into, it may be cheaper to buy a good used or even a new trailer depending on the extent of the repairs needed.
8. Enjoy it for what it is
Remember what camping is all about, to me its seeing new things and exploring new places, for you it may be the thrill of getting away from work or fishing in that stream your grandfather took you to as a kid.
Owning a pop up trailer is a very freeing experience, you get to enjoy nature in a way that reminds you of camping in your backyard as a child. For most this is a door way to camping in a full fledged RV to see if they want to invest in a larger camper someday, for others its a way to travel and enjoy the outdoors.
Get out, explore our great and beautiful country of ours, find your adventure.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.
Do you have a pop up trailer? Do you have advice for people looking to getting one? let us know in the comments below.
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