How Many Watts Does A Pop Up Camper Use

Last Updated on : March 17, 2021

Wondering how much practice popular up camper weigh? Want to know whether your car will be able to pull it or not? This is the article just to address those concerns and educate you on all the important aspects.

Pop-up camper weight ranges between 800 to 3700 lbs based on their fashion, size and construction type. Basic tent trailer style pop upward campers mostly weigh between 800 to 2150 lbs; where equally the hard sided A-Frame blazon campers are slightly heavier betwixt 1560 to 2430 lbs. Off filigree, hybrid or extreme sport styled popular upwardly campers are on higher side between 2100 to 3740 lbs.

Weight of a camper is an of import factor that comes to mind when you lot are about to shop or rent one. Towable campers demand to be as low in weight every bit 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 than weight. A pop up camper comes at a weight, that is much less than other towable RVs, like travel trailer and fifth wheels. They are smaller and compact.

They pack-in just what is absolutely needed and they tin can be folded also.

The number of options that you lot make it pop upwards campers is also great, you merely demand to selection the one that matches your needs.

Average weight of a pop upwards camper

Aliner popular up camper. Motion picture credit : aliner.com

On an average pop upward campers weigh much less as compared to other towable RV'due south like travel trailer or fifth bicycle. Because they weigh so less, most modernistic cars or trucks tin can easily tow them.

Having said this, its of import to verify if the car is capable to tow or not as some cars are not designed for towing.

Here are some pop pop up campers and their dry weight.

Pop Up Camper	Weight	Features
Taxa Outdoors Cricket	1800 lbs	Length : fifteen′ Water chapters : 15 Gallons GVWR : 1500 lbs Tongue Weight : 170 lbs Sleeps : 4 Cargo Chapters : 700 lbs
Opus -LTE	2380 lbs	GVWR : 3572 lbs Length : 17'2″ Water Chapters : 20 Gallons Natural language Weight : 209 lbs
Viking Epic Serial	1577 lbs	GVWR : 2942 lbs Length: 12'2″ Water Chapters : 16 Gallons Sleeps : 3 Cargo Weight : 1365 lbs Natural language Weight : 203 lbs
OPUS two-SLEEPER	2777 lbs	GVWR : 3970 lbs length : xviii'4″ Sleeps : four
Coachmen Clipper LS	2204 lbs	GVWR : 3223 lbs Length : 23'five″
Aliner Ranger 10	1225 lbs	GVWR: 2500 lbs Lenght: 12'eight″
Opus On-Route	1577 lbs	GVWR : 3500 lbs Length : 14'2″
Starcraft Comet	1,840 lbs	Length : 21′
OP fifteen′ Hybrid	4960 lbs	GVWR : 6600 lbs Length : fifteen′ H2o Capacity : 63 Gallons 13,500 BTU Dometic Air-conditioning
Forest River T12RBTH	2392 lbs	Length : 22'1″
OPUS 4-SLEEPER	2870 lbs	GVWR : 3970 lbs Water Chapters : twoscore Gallons Length : xviii'four″ Sleeps : 6
Aliner LXE	1795 lbs	GVWR : 2500 lbs Length : 15′
SylvanSport Get	840 lbs	Length : xi′ Sleeps : 4

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

For example, Come across this popular up tent trailer camper that weighs little higher up 800 lbs.

You lot will run into many pop up campers come at weight that's under 1500 lbs every bit well as those that are slightly above 3200 lbs. You will too get those that are beneath thousand 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. Which depends on the kind of things nowadays in it and material used for manufacturing information technology.

You would get pop upwardly campers that are mini sized, medium sized or petty bigger large sized. The main reason why people want to know the weight of a pop up camper is considering the weight affects the way yous will tow information technology using your vehicle.

A loftier weight camper would be difficult to tow and also put pressure on your towing auto.

Pop up campers due to their low height are perfect fit for many people who want to camp calorie-free 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 likewise makes the divergence in its weight. A light weight pop up camper is not only ease to hitch but also provides expert mileage.

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

With weight just to a higher place 800 lbs or close to 2000 lbs a sedan tin be sufficient to pull it off. Just yes, for a longer distance travel you lot better use a machine that is more than capable.

Here are some of the important camper weight ratings y'all 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 yous but 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 back up.

Cargo Conveying Capacity (CCC) : This rating indicates the maximum cargo that the camper can carry. This includes water, other fluids, accessories or other equipment.

Tongue Weight : This is the weight exerted on the hitch when the camper is placed behind the vehicle. It should exist between 10 to 15% of the camper weight.

Smaller pop up camper weight

A very smaller popular up camper can counterbalance merely a piddling over 700 lbs. That is much less and can be great, if y'all desire something very light. These campers can exist a perfect fit for couples who just don't care about civilities and stuff; and but want to caput out with whatsoever they take.

With such weight, yous merely don't take to care virtually much towing issues. Information technology will be an easy ride and minimum force per unit area on you lot equally a driver.

You tin can use your daily usage automobile for towing these and don't take to be bothered about whether your car is capable or not. Some examples of smaller campers weighing less than k lbs:

SylvanSport Get weighing effectually 840 lbs
smaller Coachmen Clipper weighing effectually 600 lbs

Mid sized and lilliputian larger pop up camper weight

opus pop up camper. pic credit : Opuscamper.united states of america

Y'all also get pop up campers that are little larger and weigh more 700 lbs. There are those which counterbalance around 2000 lbs and just a lilliputian above.

Fifty-fifty with biggest of the pop up campers , you will be able to tow them with a normal auto, that'due south the advantage. With larger camper you may demand a slightly better powered car. With a pop up camper weighing around 2000 lbs, also you lot need to be more than careful as compared to the lowest weighing campers.

The mgp of your car will also impact a piddling bit when you tow more than 1000 lbs. But, overall if you compare them with travel trailer or a 5th wheel, you are much better off with them.

The reason why pop upwards camper are light weight is because of the less amenities packed in. In rv's More amenities hateful more length and thus increase of weight.

Your towing vehicles will accept a limit, upto which it can tow nicely and its never a good thought to striking that limit or become closer to it. Some examples of popular upwardly camper weighing lilliputian over 1500 lbs.

Jayco Jay Sport – A pop upward camper weighing around 1500 lbs to 1800 bs
Viking Epic Serial – popular up campers weighing around 1600 lbs
Coachmen Clipper campers weighing a little over 1800 lbs
Forest River Flagstaff Classic Difficult sided weighing around 2000 lbs

Will my car be able to tow the pop up camper

tips for towing a camper

This is an of import and obvious question for those who have just now bought a pop upward camper or are thinking to purchase a new 1.

In gild for your car to successfully pull the pop upwardly camper, it should have towing chapters rating that is higher than the Gross Vehicle Weight rating of the pop upward camper.

Its a vital question non only considering you lot want to know either you demand special auto organisation or you could just utilise the one that you already have.

Bigger towing rv'due south like travel trailers or 5th wheel need cars that are powerful enough or they need trucks to pull them.

A fifth wheel in-fact will need a truck with special needs and its back will have hovering part of 5th bicycle.

What near pop upwards campers, then?

Yous would be able to tow them without any special need of powerful car or trucks. Your own sedan tin do the job for you. Now that's an advantage, you don't accept 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 chore, just be a little careful to see the weight of your pop up camper.

Although, on an average and most of the pop upward campers will be inside that 2000 lbs, you may sometimes take a little flake heavier one and that'south why you only cross check.

Remember, its non only going to be the dry weight to bank check. You may besides need to weigh everything else on the camper. Understanding the weight terminology is also important.

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

Dry out weight of the camper

This is the weight of your pop up camper without having anything on it. Not even fuel.

No h2o or anything else. Your popular up camper transmission will have this written or y'all tin can check when the pop upward camper is just bought. This weight is helpful, but will not tell you the whole story when you actually start pulling it with a automobile.

Tongue weight

This is the weight that your camper natural language will put on a hitch. Maximum tongue weight is the full amount weight that can be put on the tongue of the camper.

Gross vehicle weight

This is an of import parameter to know. 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. This should not exist exceeding, every bit y'all will be fined for this and also its dangerous to do and then.

Payload capacity

Payload or cargo capacity is the total weight your camper can handle. This includes weight put on due to storage water, accessories, fuel. This can be checked from the user manual provided by your camper manufacturer.

Hitch Weight

This is the weight put on by the campers tires, hitch and tongue on t yous camper. For this to keep minimum, cull merely the correct hitch.

Precautions while while pop-up camper

Fifty-fifty though popular up camper volition just do fine with any motorcar that you have; improve check the cars power before heading out.

An old car, peculiarly may need to be checked as its capability may accept reduced. A salesman at the dealer may non be always trusted, as they may not foresee the issues.

Don't Overload

Knowing all weight parameters is the best thing. This is particularly truthful when buying other trailers like travel trailer or fifth wheel when the weight is extremely critical gene.

A dry weight every bit we run into is just a number and you cannot go ahead with that,.Make sure your overall weight does not exceed the limit.

A pop upwardly camper although pocket-size can be used to deport other things like kayak etc and that tin can add together on the weight. So, brand certain you don't keep on adding weight and stay within limit.

Drive Carefully

A weight of 2000-3000 lbs tin can be enough to imbalance the auto that is towing. Steering may loose balance with weight being towed and could exist dangerous. No matter how much weight is, simply its always better to stay condom and drive advisedly.

Weight balancing is another thing in trailers. You camper even though so much smaller, can become imbalanced.

Distribute the weight

Weight distribution is important when towing behind motorcar, make sure you practice 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 5th wheel also employ for pop upwardly campers. Towing a vehicle behind can be intimidating no matter how much is the weight.

Its a different part and not a integrated one for your automobile and thus in that location will ever be difficulties, Specially if you are new to this.

Take a checklist

Its ever better to make sure you lot accept a checklist before you showtime the bulldoze.

Some of the things that you tin do before starting the journey is to check if the tire force per unit area is properly maintained or not. Hitch is properly connected or not.

Follow the Rules

Make sure your mirrors are properly adjusted. Practice not ride any 1 behind in the camper. Its not ideal and not legal too. It tin be seriously unsafe and should not be expert under any circumstances.

Its of import that, you as a camper remain responsible. Knowing the weight of your camper is one of the of import thing and post-obit related parameters is likewise equally important.

Backing tin can be trouble when you take a towed camper backside and that fourth dimension yous should make sure you practice that with loftier care and with minimum speed.

What affects pop-up camper weight

jayco pop upward camper. pic credit : jayco.com

Autonomously from the amenities that are packed inside, the construction type and fabric too affects how much your camper weighs. A similar length campers tin weigh differently and it depends on the type of material being used in its manufacturing.

An aluminium made pop upwards campers are light in weight and easy to tow. Also, its not the fractional aluminium manufacturing but a fully aluminium i will be weighing much less.

They are also designed to use less space for max employ. The principal thought of the pop upwards camper structure is to make certain weight is reduced.

Lifter organization

A pop upwards camper should have its roof raised before you lot starting time using it. Traditionally they have been using pulleys, springs etc.

A lifter organization with better innovations reduces the weight and makes it like shooting fish in a barrel to employ. This is significant part of the pop upwardly camper which puts on weight and with better method, the weights accept reduced.

Basically, a clutch controller winch is used to connect to the pulley via a cable that helps raise the roof.

Bed platform

This is the bed back up that can concord a weight of thousand pounds. It is more often than not a 2 piece aluminum back up.

Roof

A roof would exist mostly a single piece construction made up of fiberglass, that may not exist that heavy. Roof weight is pregnant not only in pop upwardly campers, but also in other rv's.

Camper roof are critical and they start to leak in around 5 years time, if not sufficiently taken care of. A replacement and repair are options under warranty.

Flooring

Fabric used in floor is also a factor that decides weight of the pop up camper. Some of the materials that are used include vinyl, carpet or laminate.

Carpeting insulate better, requite good feeling only they tend to perform bad when it comes to clay. Vinyl can exist better option merely their installation is tricky, they are also calorie-free.

Laminates tend to be more heavier and can increase the overall weight of your camper. A skilful grade vinyl can be great, they also go along clay and water away.

Other things that make up the construction include the Frame, and tent.

Lets talk a little scrap nigh how much weight they can handle. They do have their weight limits which is explained by GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating). A nifty way to stay inside this limits is to attempt dissimilar tips and tricks to organize the popular up in a better manner.

Canvass

Pop up campers have sail or fabric on the walls and roofs. This makes them lightweight. However, this also makes them vulnerable to high winds, rain, snow and also to wild animal attacks similar bears. For the same reason, some RV parks and campgrounds put restrictions on them. Bank check this detailed guide on which national parks do non allow popular-up campers .

Pros and cons of pop upwards campers

A light weight pop up camper is a breeze for towing. Your car is going to dearest it. Mileage will not be a pain when y'all compare it with a travel trailer.

People who honey to become adventure with whatever they have and don't care much about stuff they carry, love the thought of pop upwards camper. A pop upwardly camper is not going to requite you a good headroom, it will exist less in sleeping area.

A kitchenette will be squeezed to a just manageable kind.

Space Limitations : You lot may not even go a shower and bathroom. Space is definitely going to be an issue. If you are expecting it to exist like any other rv and then yous need to think again.

Limited Amenities

You lot can too notice pop up campers that include showers and toilet, but and so information technology would be increasing the cost, and volition that be a wise decision? Popular up campers in get-go place are for those who want to spend less and get whatsoever in that range.

A bigger popular up camper with added amenities is actually pushing you lot 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'southward what i experience, amend go for these things with a slight increasing upkeep.

A boondocking will definitely need you lot that and without toilet/shower, it tin can be bad. Think, with pop up camper of "that size" you lot are always going to compromising, simply it depends for what purposes you are using it.

Generally No Cooling or heating

A pop up camper don't accept air conditioning or heater and thus information technology could exist an consequence during cold or high temperature times. Y'all could utilize a portable air conditioner or a heater instead. One tin also install the Air conditioning here is how you can exercise information technology.

But, it may non as adept as what y'all would get in a travel trailer or 5th wheel. Pop upwards campers during bad atmospheric condition times are not the ideal ones.

Ameliorate miles per gallon

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 every bit with bigger travel trailer you lot will get very less miles per gallon and thus the overall cost or expenditure increases.

With popular up campers you may not demand bigger storage area in your garage. Pop upwardly camper tin can too exist folded and that means yous may demand half or even less infinite than the actual space or length of your camper.

Piece of cake for Storage

Travel trailer or fifth wheels are massive and need bigger garage for storage. At times your existing garage may not fifty-fifty fit them and you end upwardly ownership storage for rent. With pop up campers, you would practically never need to rent a space and spend more.

They are by and large not nifty in insulation and therefore are not ideal for winter camping ground. Hard side pop upwards campers or hybrid popular up are meliorate in insulation.

Pop up campers tin be customized as per needs. Y'all tin modify them to fit for a single traveler or for a smaller family easily.

Yous tin can modify them as per your unique style and requirements. That is something that is a piffling chip difficult with travel trailer or 5th bicycle, modifying could besides be more plush.

Weight comparison with travel trailers or fifth bicycle

Travel trailers or fifth wheels on an average weigh around 5000 lbs to 15000 lbs. This is a big weight for automobile or trucks to tow. Pop up camper on the other paw are very less in weight, they are not even half, just less and then that.

If you just don't desire to handle bigger weight while towing, then go for pop up camper. They are smaller and light, merely do not provide for civilities and lifestyle provided past most travel trailers.

Popular up campers all the same, are not available in abundance like travel trailers (which are available in lots). People also build their ain popular up campers, but practice not try this equally it needs skill and proper knowledge.

Pop upward camper are dry camping friendly

Boondocking is a great way to become back to nature and savour. People have been using tent trailer for years, but with pop up campers this tin can be done with more than luxury.

A pop up camper comes nifty when you want to head out inside a forest or dirty route. They give yous the freedom of having those gallons of h2o with you. A pop upward camper gives a fresh h2o tank of upto 25 gallons (that'southward lot for a boondocking trip) and grey water storage of upto 12 gallons.

Conclusion

Camping outdoors is a great way to take fun. And you tin can do a nature connect through you pop upwards camper. Popular up camper provide a neat mode to relish nature forth with your family, having those little civilities with y'all.

They do non put pressure on your car to pull tons but only do fine when on road. A pop up camper is a breeze for you storage expanse and you only do fine with whatever kind of garage you have.

With civilities that are just what you demand and not so luxurious they keep you humble and adventurous at the at aforementioned time. A popular up camper is a nifty camper that keeps maintenance down.

Also with Initial prices being so low they just fit into your budget. Repair and replacement of parts in pop upwardly campers is easy as compared to travel trailers.

Get for pop up campers if you like to keep things unproblematic all the same have some benefits of civilities. And yes, they weigh and then low. That's the real advantage with pop upwards campers.