Popup camper
Encyclopedia
A pop-up camper, which was at first in the 1930s and 1940s called a folding or most commonly, tent trailer, is a type of towed recreational vehicle
that can be collapsed for easy storage and transport. When set up, this type of trailer provides a large amount of interior space when compared to its size when collapsed. Its relatively affordable price makes it a popular choice for almost all RVers and its small size contributes to easier towing
than other types of RVs.
, canvas or a similar material and include clear vinyl windows with screens.
Basic popups usually include the following features: fold-down dinette (table top and bench seating combination), on-board fresh water tank, sink, 12-volt DC power system (including an AC to DC converter and a deep cycle battery
), interior DC lighting, two sleeping bunks and storage cabinets. Many pop-ups also include a gas/electric absorption refrigerator
, stove, rooftop air conditioner, propane furnace, water heater, electric water pump, exterior shower, skylight/roof vent, one or two propane tanks, electric or surge brakes, large storage trunk at the front of the box, and an awning. Some premium models also include a shower, toilet, wastewater tanks, slide-out section (to increase interior space), microwave
, and an oven.
Since space is at a premium in popup campers, it is common for a single structure to serve multiple purposes. Generally, the dinette, which can seat four people for a meal, can be converted into a bed to provide additional sleeping space. Likewise, the couch, if present, can usually be folded down into a bed. Often, the inside table (part of the dinette) and the gas stove can be taken outside and attached to the side of the camper.
that extends telescoping poles on each corner of the box. Next, bunks at the front and the back of the trailer are pulled out by hand. Then, the tent material (which is fastened to the box and to the roof) is unfurled, pulled over the ends of the bunks, and attached. Interior support poles for the bunk and the entry door are then installed.
Depending on the configuration and included equipment, several additional set up steps may be required. These steps include hooking up to utilities (electricity, water, sewer), reassembling the dinette, unfolding the sink, turning on systems (water pump, water heater, etc.), making beds and unpacking belongings.
Setup time for a pop-up camper is typically longer than that for a travel trailer
, fifth wheel or motorhome.
High wall pop-ups : Feature a taller box which allows for residential-height countertops and more storage space. Example: Coleman Avalon, Jayco 14HW
Motorcycle
campers : Lightweight pop-ups small enough to be pulled by a motorcycle. Example: Aspen Ambassador
Toyhauler pop-ups : Include an open cargo deck for transporting ATVs
, motorcycles, etc. Example: Jayco Baja 14F
Off road pop-ups : Feature rugged construction and raised suspension for off road use. Example: Coleman Evolution Cobalt
A-frame : small solid wall folding camper. Example: A-liner, Chalet
Flip-out camper : Features a roof which flips over to become a bunk. Uses a tent roof instead of a hard roof. Example: Quicksilver
Recreational vehicle
Recreational vehicle or RV is, in North America, the usual term for a Motor vehicle or trailer equipped with living space and amenities found in a home.-Features:...
that can be collapsed for easy storage and transport. When set up, this type of trailer provides a large amount of interior space when compared to its size when collapsed. Its relatively affordable price makes it a popular choice for almost all RVers and its small size contributes to easier towing
Towing
Towing is the process of pulling or drawing behind a chain, line, bar or some other form of couplings. Towing is most visibly performed by road vehicles, but anything from waterborne vessels to tractors to people can tow cargo. Troop carrying and cargo carrying gliders were towed behind powered...
than other types of RVs.
Features
A conventional pop-up consists of a trailer frame, a box, a hard roof, pull-out bunks and “soft” walls. The walls are made of vinylVinyl
A vinyl compound is any organic compound that contains a vinyl group ,which are derivatives of ethene, CH2=CH2, with one hydrogen atom replaced with some other group...
, canvas or a similar material and include clear vinyl windows with screens.
Basic popups usually include the following features: fold-down dinette (table top and bench seating combination), on-board fresh water tank, sink, 12-volt DC power system (including an AC to DC converter and a deep cycle battery
Deep cycle battery
A deep-cycle battery is a lead-acid battery designed to be regularly deeply discharged using most of its capacity. In contrast, starter batteries are designed to deliver short, high-current bursts for cranking the engine, thus frequently discharged of only a very small part of their capacity...
), interior DC lighting, two sleeping bunks and storage cabinets. Many pop-ups also include a gas/electric absorption refrigerator
Absorption refrigerator
An absorption refrigerator is a refrigerator that uses a heat source to provide the energy needed to drive the cooling system...
, stove, rooftop air conditioner, propane furnace, water heater, electric water pump, exterior shower, skylight/roof vent, one or two propane tanks, electric or surge brakes, large storage trunk at the front of the box, and an awning. Some premium models also include a shower, toilet, wastewater tanks, slide-out section (to increase interior space), microwave
Microwave oven
A microwave oven is a kitchen appliance that heats food by dielectric heating, using microwave radiation to heat polarized molecules within the food...
, and an oven.
Since space is at a premium in popup campers, it is common for a single structure to serve multiple purposes. Generally, the dinette, which can seat four people for a meal, can be converted into a bed to provide additional sleeping space. Likewise, the couch, if present, can usually be folded down into a bed. Often, the inside table (part of the dinette) and the gas stove can be taken outside and attached to the side of the camper.
Dimensions
Modern pop-ups range in weight from approximately 700 pounds (317.5 kg) to 3800 pounds (1,723.7 kg) pounds empty. Models are generally classified by the length of their box, which ranges from 8 feet (2.4 m) to 16 feet (4.9 m) feet. When opened, the length is usually roughly double the box length. Most pop-ups are between 7 feet (2.1 m) and 7 in 6 in (2.29 m) in width and between 4 in 6 in (1.37 m) and 5 feet (1.5 m) in height when closed, but “high wall” models are up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. Published sleeping capacities range from 4 to 8 people.Setting up
To open a pop-up, the trailer must be chocked, disconnected from the tow vehicle, and leveled. The roof must first be raised using a winchWinch
A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in or let out or otherwise adjust the "tension" of a rope or wire rope . In its simplest form it consists of a spool and attached hand crank. In larger forms, winches stand at the heart of machines as diverse as tow trucks, steam shovels and...
that extends telescoping poles on each corner of the box. Next, bunks at the front and the back of the trailer are pulled out by hand. Then, the tent material (which is fastened to the box and to the roof) is unfurled, pulled over the ends of the bunks, and attached. Interior support poles for the bunk and the entry door are then installed.
Depending on the configuration and included equipment, several additional set up steps may be required. These steps include hooking up to utilities (electricity, water, sewer), reassembling the dinette, unfolding the sink, turning on systems (water pump, water heater, etc.), making beds and unpacking belongings.
Setup time for a pop-up camper is typically longer than that for a travel trailer
Travel trailer
A travel trailer or caravan is towed behind a road vehicle to provide a place to sleep which is more comfortable and protected than a tent . It provides the means for people to have their own home on a journey or a vacation, without relying on a motel or hotel, and enables them to stay in places...
, fifth wheel or motorhome.
Types of Pop-ups
In addition to the traditional pop-up campers described above, there are a number of special types of pop-ups on the market:High wall pop-ups : Feature a taller box which allows for residential-height countertops and more storage space. Example: Coleman Avalon, Jayco 14HW
Motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
campers : Lightweight pop-ups small enough to be pulled by a motorcycle. Example: Aspen Ambassador
Toyhauler pop-ups : Include an open cargo deck for transporting ATVs
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
, motorcycles, etc. Example: Jayco Baja 14F
Off road pop-ups : Feature rugged construction and raised suspension for off road use. Example: Coleman Evolution Cobalt
A-frame : small solid wall folding camper. Example: A-liner, Chalet
Flip-out camper : Features a roof which flips over to become a bunk. Uses a tent roof instead of a hard roof. Example: Quicksilver
Notable manufacturers
- Coleman Camping Trailers
- Fleetwood EnterprisesFleetwood EnterprisesFleetwood Enterprises, Inc. was a producer of motorhomes and manufactured housing. It was founded in 1950 by John Crean in Riverside, California....
- Forest RiverForest River (company)Forest River Inc, a US manufacturer of a diverse line of primarily recreational vehicle products, $1.6 billion in sales, 60 plants, 5,400 employees. Located in Elkhart, Indiana, the company operates multiple manufacturing facilities throughout the Mid West and West Coast...
- Jayco, IncJayco, IncJayco, Inc. is a manufacturer of recreational vehicles. They make fold-down travel trailers, "fifth-wheelers", truck campers and motorhomes.-Corporate history:...
- Palomino
- Starcraft
- Viking
- Northwest Tent and Awning (El Camper & Norseman)