{"id":5789,"date":"2021-05-13T15:07:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-13T15:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/?p=5789"},"modified":"2023-04-03T19:24:04","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T19:24:04","slug":"know-towing-pop-up-camper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/know-towing-pop-up-camper\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Towing a Pop-up Camper"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NOTE*** The content on this page may contain affiliate links, we may make a commission. And, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0More information: disclosure page<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pop-up campers are amazingly compact and easy to tow. However, you do need to ensure that your vehicle is capable of towing a pop-up camper and you need to learn to some basic towing skills. We cover everything you need to know about towing a pop-up to get you on the road safely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pop-up campers, also known as fold-out campers or tent trailers, are collapsible camping trailers that you can tow behind a vehicle. These are some of the lightest RVs available, due to the partial canvas construction.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of having a hard time towing a massive, heavy trailer, a pop-up camper can be folded into a small, more compact package that\u2019s lightweight and easier to tow. Furthermore, you can even use a small vehicle to bring it around with your travels!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Is it Hard to Tow a Pop-up Camper?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In general, towing a pop-up camper is easy due to its size, weight and height. Pop-ups can be towed by a car or small SUV. You can easily see over it in the rearview mirro<\/strong>r since the trailer folds down to 4-5 feet. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most pop-up campers are very lightweight and will easily be under the towing capacity of many small SUVs and trucks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You do need a suitable tow package and electrical connection. I recommend that you check with your mechanic to make sure your vehicle is set up to tow. Once you\u2019re done, you can always practice driving around your neighborhood, or you could go to a large empty parking lot to practice parking and braking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also a few remote backup cameras<\/a> that could help you when towing your pop-up camper. These cameras, some of which you can connect to your mobile device or your dash, can be extremely helpful if attached to the back of your trailer. This way, you can see what is behind you with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How Much Does a Pop-up Camper Weigh?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The weight of a pop-up camper can vary, depending on its size and usefulness. Just like other trailers, pop-up campers have many weight categories. There are small, medium, and large options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, a pop-up camper weighs between 1,200 to 2,800 lbs with an average of about 2,400 pounds. Ultralight Sylvan Sport pop-up campers can weigh as little as 840 lbs., while large campers can reach up to 4,500 lbs. of weight. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weight could also depend on the material of the camper. Pop-ups come with different materials such as soft or hard walls, fiberglass, or plastic roofs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is best to know more about a camper\u2019s weight listing and what it means. The (GVWR) Gross Vehicle Weight Ratio is how much your vehicle can carry, including its weight of hitch and carrying capacity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another is the Gross Axle Weight Rating, which is the maximum weight a trailer\u2019s axles can safely offer support. The rating includes water, gear, and the weight of the camper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Unloaded Vehicle Weight is the weight of the camper when it reaches the manufacturer with a full fuel tank. Essentially, this is the lightest your pop-up camper is going to reach before being loaded with equipment. Lastly, the Cargo Carrying Capacity is the amount of necessities you can pack in the camper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Can a Car, SUV, or Minivan Tow a Pop-up Camper?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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CLShebley<\/a> – stock<\/strong>.adobe<\/strong>.com<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Yes! A car, minivan or other small vehicle can pull a pop-up camper without any problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many small SUVs, larger cars and minivans have a hitch and tow ratings high enough pull a popup camper that weighs 2,400 pounds. For example, the tow rating for many small SUVs and minivans is between 2,300 and 3,500 pounds. A small car can tow 1,000 pounds.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For reference, a 2023 Dodge Challenger has a towing capacity of 1,000 lbs., while a 2023 Subaru Outback can have up to a 3,500 lb. capacity. On the other hand, bigger cars such as the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover has a towing capacity of up to 8,200 lbs. The 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe Big Sport Utility has 8,400 lbs. towing capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always, always consult your owner\u2019s manual to know more about the towing capacity of your vehicle. You should also know your vehicle\u2019s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) to include the passengers and luggage. No matter the towing capacity of your vehicle, you must stick within your GVWR. I would also recommend that you do not exceed 80% of the towing capacity for your safety, especially if you are traveling over mountains and at altitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Kind of Hitch Does a Pop-up Camper Use?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First things first: A pop-up camper hitch is a part that connects your camper to the towing vehicle. <\/strong>There are many hitch types and designs that are made for a variety of rigs. These also come in different weight classes, with the lightest ones suitable for pop-ups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Hitches for a pop-up camper:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bumper Hitch<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bumper hitches go over your towing vehicle\u2019s bumper. The most distinguishing characteristic this hitch has is its square receiver tube. This type is recommended for lighter vehicles, making it perfect for your pop-up camper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Weight-Distribution Hitch<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The weight-distribution hitch is more common for larger trailers but it can be useful with a pop-up camper.<\/strong> This is considered a rear hitch, meaning it will attach to your towing vehicle\u2019s back. This hitch is designed to control the weight of your towing setup and move the center of gravity towards the middle of the tow vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Other Types of Hitches You do Not Need:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pintle Hitch<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type has two parts: the lunette and the pintle. The lunette is the thick metal ring, while the pintle resembles a metal wrench. You should hook up your pintle to the truck before attaching the lunette. This type of hitch is usually used when towing a commercial-grade vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gooseneck Hitch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This hitch looks like a long, lean metal apparatus. You will never use a gooseneck hitch for your pop-up camper since this hitch is designed for trucks and towing vehicles of up to 30,000 lbs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fifth-wheel Hitch<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a shorter and squatter hitch compared to all hitch types. Its function is very close to a gooseneck hitch, so you won\u2019t be needing this type for your pop-up camper. Despite its small size, fifth-wheel hitches can pull 24,000 lbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What Hitch Class Do I Need for a Pop-up Camper?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are four primary hitch classes as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Each class has a maximum amount of weight that it can tow in addition to a maximum tongue weight \u2013 which is the downward pressure that a towed load exerts on the hitch.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Class<\/strong><\/td>Hitch Weight<\/strong><\/td>Maximum Towing Weight<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Class I<\/td>100\u2013200 lbs.<\/td>1,000\u20132,000 lbs.<\/td><\/tr>
Class II<\/td>250\u2013350 lbs.<\/td>2,500\u20133,500 lbs.<\/td><\/tr>
Class III<\/td>350\u2013500 lbs.<\/td>3,500\u20135,000 lbs.<\/td><\/tr>
Class IV<\/td>> 500 lbs.<\/td>7,500\u201310,000 lbs.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If your trailer weighs in at under 2,000 lbs., then you\u2019ll probably be fine with a Class I hitch. However, it wouldn\u2019t hurt to opt for a higher class hitch in case you might be interested in upgrading in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do Hitches Come with Different Ball Sizes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The hitch ball<\/a> has four measurements: the ball diameter, shank length, shank diameter, and shank rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hitches have four different dimensions: 1-7\/8, 2, 2-5\/16, and 3 inches. They also come in various shank sizes, ranging from 3\/4 inches to 2 inches in diameter. For shank diameters, the most common ones range between 3\/4 inches and 1-1\/4 inches.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on your ball size, weight capacities for trailer hitch balls could range from 2,000 lbs. to 3,000 lbs. Each size is also designed to handle different kinds of trailers and towing appliances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can review your camper\u2019s frame, tongue, or coupler to know your trailer\u2019s ball size. If you plan to use a hitch ball <\/a>with your setup, I recommend making sure it is within the recommended weight capacity and diameter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do I Need a Weight-distribution Hitch for a Pop-up Camper?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In general, you won\u2019t need a weight-distribution hitch for a pop-up. However, if you want to use a lightweight stabilizing and distribution hitch it may make towing a pop-up smoother if you are using a small vehicle. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you plan to tow a small or lightweight pop-up camper, it is unlikely that you would need to use this hitch. However, if you want to bring a bigger rig, I suggest that you look into your weight-distribution hitch options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This hitch type is a required piece of equipment when you\u2019re towing heavy loads. It should also be considered when the fully loaded and ready-to-tow trailer weight is greater than 50 percent of the tow vehicle\u2019s weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Renting a Pop-up Camper<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are ready to rent a pop-up camper in 2023, we found some good deals for you. But if you are looking to buy one, you can scroll down for more tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n