Pop-up campers can trace their origins all the way back to the early 1900s, when innovative travelers first attached collapsible tents to a trailer to create a portable camping space. For a time, these rudimentary RVs remained DIY projects, but by 1914, the Campbell Folding Camping Trailer was being produced and sold across the US. In the decades that followed, dozens of companies made similar products, with the humble pop-up growing into one of the most popular and accessible options for family camping trips and other outdoor excursions.
Today, the popularity of the pop-up camper isn’t as high as it once was, but these towables continue to be a viable option for many RVers. Not only are these models very beginner-friendly, they are also lightweight and affordable compared to most other campers. They also serve as a great bridge for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy camping in a tent but are looking for more comfort and convenience. A modern pop-up can deliver all of that and so much more, often rivaling a small travel trailer that is much easier to tow and store.
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What is a Pop-Up Camper?
A pop-up camper is a type of towable RV that has a small and flat profile when being towed or stored, but expands—or pops up—at the campsite to provide more interior space. In their expanded form, many of these trailers have a top that resembles a tent, with mesh screens serving as windows and durable fabrics acting as the walls and ceiling. This allows for plenty of airflow and ventilation for warm-weather camping, but makes this style of RV less comfortable in colder conditions. That said, these days there are also some hard-sided pop-ups that tend to be a little pricier, but offer better performance across a wider array of temperature and weather conditions.
In the past, most pop-up trailers were usually deployed using a crank connected to a system of cables and pulleys that expanded the living space upwards. Modern versions of the pop-up often employ electric motors that can accomplish the same task simply by pushing a button. Either way, a pop-up camper is very easy to set up and is usually ready for use in just a few minutes.
As already mentioned, the benefits of owning a pop-up camper are that they are easy to tow and store, and more comfortable than sleeping in a tent while still offering a similar level of immersion in nature. They are also affordable compared to other types of RVs and generally don’t require a lot of maintenance. On the other hand, these types of campers don’t offer the same level of protection from cold temperatures or inclement weather as a travel trailer, and they can lack privacy at a busy campground.
Pop-ups are great options for solo campers, couples, and families.
The Best Pop-Up Campers
Ready to shop for a pop-up camper of your own? These are our picks for the best models currently available.
Photo Credit: Forest River
Forest River Rockwood Tent
Forest River makes several different pop-up trailers in both soft and hard-sided models. Its Rockwood Tent trailers fall into the more traditional soft-sided category, and while they may resemble similar campers from the past, they offer some surprisingly great modern features and amenities that you might not expect in this category. They’re also sold at affordable prices, making them very attractive to first-time RV buyers looking for a great alternative to sleeping in a tent.
The Rockwood Tent is available in two variations, the OTG (Off The Ground) Series and the Freedom Series. OTG models are smaller than the Freedom Series, but are still substantially bigger than most tents. Available in two floorplans, these trailers are much more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, making them dryer and safer, too. The interiors are fairly basic and include a bed and a small dinette. These units range in size from 11′ 10″ to 13′ 10″ and have unloaded vehicle weights (UVW) of 1,299 lbs to 1,319 lbs.
Photo Credit: Forest River
By contrast, the Freedom Series uses a fold-out pop-up design and is available in six unique floorplans ranging in size from 16′ 7″ to 19′ 3″ when deployed. These models have a UVW between 1,763 lbs and 3,058 lbs. In addition to including two sleeping areas, these models also come with kitchens and a dinette. The larger versions even have an onboard toilet, an expanded kitchen with a stove, and air conditioning. All models have awnings that expand the living space outdoors, with one unit–the 2280FT–coming with a front storage deck.
Pricing for the Rockwood Tent OTG Series starts at $8,955 , while the Freedom Series has an MSRP of $14,599.
Photo Credit: Forest River
Forest River Rockwood Hard Side Series Trailers
As noted above, Forest River also offers hard-sided pop-up trailers. The company’s Rockwood Hard Side Series models offer much of the same versatility as their soft-sided cousins the OTG and Freedom Series, but with some nice upgrades. Those include better performance in a wider range of weather conditions, helped in part by both built-in A/C and a furnace. These models also provide a quieter, more private interior, and the solid roof makes it easier to mount solar panels, skylights, and vents.
Available in three floorplans, the Rockwood Hard Side Series ranges in size from 16′ 4″ to 20′ 4″, with UVWs of 1,924 lbs to 2,728 lbs. This makes them small and light enough to be towed by a variety of vehicles, while delivering outstanding performance at an affordable price. All models include a bed, a dinette, and kitchenette, with some models coming with a stove top and even a toilet. Onboard storage makes it easy to bring all of your gear, while windows and skylights provide ample natural light.
Pricing for the Rockwood Hard Side Series starts at $14,995.
Photo Credit: Coachmen
Coachmen Clipper
Technically, Coachmen’s Clipper line of camping trailers falls under the Forest River corporate umbrella, but these models do have characteristics and design elements all their own. The Clipper brand includes several teardrop models, but it is the pop-up campers that most caught our eye. These RVs have a classic pop-up look, but offer an experience that is thoroughly modern, including innovative use of materials to keep owners comfortable at the campsite.
The Clipper pop-up models come in several variations, including the Clipper Sport, Clipper LS, and Clipper Classic, spread out over six floorplans. All versions include insulated bunks that provide extra warmth on chilly nights, with some models equipped with queen and king-size beds. Most of the trailers come with a kitchen sink, two-burner stove, and a refrigerator. Bench seating and dinettes are part of the design, too, with the largest model even having a slide-out.
Sizes range from 12′ 2″ to 19′, with VWs between 1,577 lbs. and 2,840 lbs. Prices start at $14,994.
Photo Credit: Aliner
Aliner A-Frame Campers
Aliner is another manufacturer that specializes in making hard-sided pop-up campers that offer a wide range of features and functionality in a lightweight package. Quite honestly, the brand’s entire line of A-Frame models is outstanding, with each bringing something to the table that appeals to a different crowd. Want to go small and ultralight? The Scout Lite is an amazing option. Need something with a bit more space? You can’t go wrong with the Expedition. The entire catalog features excellent build quality, great design, and proven dependability from top to bottom.
That said, there are a couple of Aliner models that stick out to us. For instance, the Evolution 15 brings off-road capabilities to the pop-up space, allowing owners to take the 18′ trailer to remote locations. The rig has a GVWR of 3,500 lbs., which makes it easy to tow, and its hard-sided fiberglass body—not to mention 16,000 BTU furnace—provides protection from the elements. Inside, you’ll find a very comfortable living space, complete with a kitchen, dinette, and a couch that converts to a bed. It even has a 32″ x 32″ shower and a swivel cassette toilet, along with a 35-gallon freshwater tank. Pricing starts at $56,055.
We’re also big fans of the Aliner Amp, which includes many of the same features as the Evolution series trailers, but has been further upgraded for off-grid living. This model comes equipped with a 5kWh EcoFlow battery bank, 3,600W inverter, and dual 400W solar panels. That’s enough to keep the onboard appliances running for days at a time, making it even easier to stay at your favorite boondocking site. MSRP starts at around $40,000.
Photo Credit: Opus
Opus OP4
If you’re in the market for an off-road pop-up camper, the Opus OP4 needs to be on your shortlist. This 17′ model is built like a tank, yet has a GVWR of just 4,200 lbs. It has an interior height of eight feet, sleeps six, and can easily camp off-grid for four days. The rig ships with a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen that includes a four-burner stove, sink with hot running water, a 12V fridge, an integrated work space, and plenty of storage. A U-shaped dinette with removable table makes the perfect gathering point after a long day playing outdoors.
One of the more unique aspects of the OP4 is that unlike other pop-ups, it uses a built-in inflatable tent to create its interior space. The system includes an integrated air pump that automatically inflates the tent in under two minutes, creating a safe, stable environment with minimal effort. The tent is made from a dual-layer polycotton material that is lightweight, durable, waterproof, and UV-resistant.
Optional upgrades to the OP4 include an outdoor awning, heating and air conditioning, a solar energy system, and even an onboard entertainment center. Pricing starts at $32,995.
Photo Credit: TrailManor
TrailManor 3124 Series
TrailManor makes several unique hard-sided pop-up models that deliver everything you would expect from this type of camper. But if you’re in the market for a model with room for the entire family, the 3124 Series may be your best option. This unit measures 31′ in length, making it one of the largest pop-ups on the market, but with a dry weight of under 3,200 pounds, it remains maneuverable and easy to tow.
Open and spacious, the 3124 has room for up to seven people depending on the floorplan. The main sleeping area includes a king-size bed, and each model includes an indoor bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower/tub. The kitchen has a three-burner stove, an oven, a sink, and a refrigerator. Owners can choose layouts that offer a large dinette, a second bed, or a living area with a convertible couch. A 20,000 BTU furnace comes standard, while solar, an awning, and an electric tongue jack are all optional. MSRP starts at $35,707.
Photo Credit: SylvanSport
SylvanSport Go
Versatility is the name of the game with the SylvanSport Go pop-up camper. This small—but mighty—trailer can be used as a toy hauler, a cargo carrier, and an RV. And with a GVWR of just 1,650 lbs., it is the lightest model in our round-up. But don’t let the Go’s size fool you; it is as rugged and dependable as you would expect.
Despite its relatively small size—the rig is just 17′ long from end to end—the Go has room to sleep four adults and an interior standing height of 6′ 5″. The towable does lack many of the features that you’ll find on the other pop-ups on this list, like an onboard kitchen or a bathroom, but it does have plenty of cargo space to bring a stove, grill, portable shower, and anything else you need at the campsite. Its minimalist approach allows for nearly endless customization and is also reflected in the price. Starting at $12,995, this model is certainly easy on the wallet.
That’s our list of the top pop-up campers currently available. If this is the kind of camper you’re looking for, surely one of these rigs will work for you. All you have to do is figure out how much you want to spend and which features are indispensable to your camping experience.
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