How Much Do Pop-up Campers Weigh? (3 Small Pop Up Campers)


How much do pop-up campers weigh

Have you ever wondered how much do pop-up campers weigh?

Look no more. We´ve got you covered. 

Camping has long been popular in the United States. Since 2014, the industry has seen impressive growth as camping becomes an increasingly favorite way to enjoy travel and the great outdoors. 

Camping means different things to different folks. 

When some think of camping, they imagine a tent, sleeping bag, and campfire. 

Others associate camping with road trips and travel trailers, enjoying many of the niceties of home, like a stove, refrigerator, and toilet, in a trailer or camper pulled behind a vehicle.

As the camping industry enjoys ever-increasing popularity, more and more people are looking into pop-up campers as an ideal way to get started with camping. 

They are affordable, easy to tow, and easy to set up and tear down.

So how much do pop-up campers weigh? On average you can expect the weight to vary from 1,100 to 2750 lbs for a hard-sided pop-up and from 1,250 to 3,750 lbs for tent style pop-ups. Pop-up campers are smaller, and usually lighter than other options like travel trailers and fifth-wheels.

UVW, CCC, GAWR, GVRW for Pop-up Campers

Before asking how much a pop-up camper weigh, it’s essential first to understand the different factors associated with answering that question and the various ways of measuring a camper’s weight. 

Here are the four most commonly used terms you’ll hear when talking about the weight of a pop-up camper.

👉 UVW – Unloaded Vehicle Weight. This describes the weight of the pop-up trailer itself, including the axels, hitch, and a full LP propane tank plus the standard features, like cabinets, water heater, kitchen appliances, air conditioner, and mattress, that are part of the camper before it is loaded with any cargo. 

👉 CCC – Cargo Carrying Capacity.  This describes how much weight you have available for cargo, accessories, fresh water, and optional add-ons. 

Typically, your cargo carrying capacity should not exceed 10% of the total trailer weight. 

👉 GAWR – Gross Axle Weight Rating.  This describes the maximum weight your axels can safely handle, factoring in the trailer’s weight and the cargo when it’s loaded. 

Some people call this the tongue weight or hitch weight because it may add additional pounds to the towing vehicle because of the trailer hitch.

👉 GVRW – Gross Vehicle Weight Ratio. This includes the combined weight of your empty vehicle, passengers, pets, fuel, cargo, and the tongue weight or hitch weight of your trailer.

Do You Need Trailer Brakes For Pop-up Campers?

Many but not all makes and models of pop-up campers will come equipped with trailer brakes or brake controllers, meaning that when you use the brakes to stop your towing vehicle, you’ll also be braking to stop your pop-up camper as well.

Generally speaking, most agree it’s ideal to have brakes on your camper to help you control the trailer.  But not all manufacturers view them as necessary, especially on smaller, lighter trailers.

Plan to do some homework before taking off on a road trip with a camper because some states require brake controllers on trailers.

There are all types of brakes and brake controllers.  Some campers come equipped with electric trailer brakes that rely on electromagnets rather than wheel cylinders. 

Others have time-delayed brake controllers, proportional brake controllers, and pendulum brake controllers.

If you have a camper that doesn’t already have a manufacturer-installed braking system, you can visit a professional mechanic or camper specialist and see about having them installed.

Related reading: What Is The Average Cost To Install Trailer Brake Controller – (Facts & Numbers)

Can a Car Pull a Pop-up Camper?

Yes, a car can pull a pop-up camper. You will need to lookup the manufacturers tow capacity for your car to know for sure.

Some cars can tow some campers, but you’ll have to do your homework on this, too, because there are many factors to consider. 

First, you’ll need to look up the manufacturer’s tow capacity for your car to know for sure if it can tow trailers or campers, and if so, what weight it can handle. 

This information is easily accessible in your car’s manual or online.

Next, you’ll need to know your camper’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Most pop-up campers weigh less and are smaller than most travel trailers or fifth wheels.

However, you should still confirm that you abide by the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding towing capacity. 

Most experts agree it’s best not to exceed 80% of the recommended towing capacity for safety’s sake.

Whether you’re using a sedan, SUV, van, or truck to tow your pop-up camper, make sure you confirm that the GVWR for your trailer fits comfortably within the towing capacity recommended by the manufacturer.

Towing a pop-up camper with a small car: In the table below you can find Some of the most popular small cars used for pulling a pop-up camper:

ModelMax Tow Capacity (lbs)
Ford Explorer2000
Honda Pilot3500
Acura MDX3500
Toyata Tacoma3500
Jeep Wrangler3500
Subaru Outback3000
Nissan Altima1000
Hyundai Elantra3000
Volvo s603500
Chevy Malibu1000
Honda Accord1000
Dogde Challenger 1000
Chrysler Pacifica3600
Subaru Outback XT 3500
best cars for towing small pop up camper

 What can my vehicle tow safely? >> Check out the video below:

How Much Towing Capacity Do I Need For a Pop-up Camper?

Answering this question accurately, based on the type of vehicle you’ll use to tow your camper and the trailer’s weight, will involve some simple math. You’ll need to know these four things:

  • What is your vehicle’s towing capacity?
  • What is the GVWR of your pop-up camper?
  • What is your vehicle’s cargo capacity?
  • What is the tongue weight of your camper?

Some will choose to purchase a pop-up camper that works well with a vehicle they already own.  Others will buy the trailer they want and then select the best vehicle to tow it. 

Whichever approach you favor, you’ll want to avoid overloading or overtaxing your vehicle. 

Not only can excess weight damage your vehicle and camper, but it can pose a safety hazard to you as you travel.

Better to be cautious and avoid exceeding 80% of the recommended towing capacity. 

Having a good understanding of the terms used to describe the weight of a pop-up camper and safely towing it can help ensure your safety and set you up to enjoy years of camping experiences.

3 Small Pop Up Campers You Need To Know

1. Sylvan Sport GO Camping Trailer

 Features:

 Dry weight: 840lbs

 Length: 80”

 Width: 116”

 Average New/Sale Price: $8,995

Click here to see the full specs

2. Turtleback Trailer Getaway

Features:

✔️ Dry weight: 1,300lbs

✔️ Length: 130 inches

✔️ Width: 74 inches

✔️ Average New/Sale Price: $17,000

Click here to see the full specs

3. Taxa Cricket Pop Up

Features:

✔️ Dry weight: 1,753 lbs

✔️ Length: 15 feet

✔️ Average New/Sale Price: $31,800

Click here to see the full specs

Read also: Top 35 Best Pop Up Camper In The Market: Pop Up Trailer Tents You Need To Know

Is it Hard to Tow a Pop-up Camper?

Is it hard to tow a pop-up camper? No, pop-up campers are much easier to tow than other RVs and campers. They fold down into a compact size, which means you have more visibility out of your rearview mirrors while towing a pop-up camper.

As long as you are comfortable with pulling a trailer, there will be no difficulty towing a pop-up camper.

Pop-up campers are also more accessible options for towing. Since they weigh significantly less than other campers, you can pull them from much smaller vehicles (as long as the vehicle has a trailer hitch).

When towing anything behind your vehicle, you will want to leave extra space and time for turns. Be careful when backing up to ensure the safety of those around you, your vehicle, and your camper.

With the added range of sight thanks to the size of the camper, it should be easier to back up with a pop-up camper than with other vehicles.

How Much Does a Typical Pop-up Camper Weigh?

Pop-up campers are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes with varying features. Simple pop-up campers do not come with bathrooms or showers.

Some pop-up campers offer more protection from the weather, with hard sides. Those campers will weigh more than their tent-style counterparts.

How much does a typical pop-up camper weigh? Due to all of these factors, the weights of various pop-up campers can vary by 1,000-2,000 pounds, depending on the design. On average, though, with few upgrades and standard features pop-up campers weigh around 2,000 lbs.

With that being said, by cutting down on features and going to a particularly lightweight model, you can find some pop-up campers for under 1,000 pounds.

If you are looking for a pop-up camper with features like hard sides and a shower, it could weigh as much as 3500 pounds.

Before selecting a pop-up camper, you will want to check what weight capacity your vehicle can safely tow.  

Read also: Top 35 Best Pop Up Camper In The Market: Pop Up Trailer Tents You Need To Know

What Is The Pop-up Camper Weight Limit?

Pop-up campers come in many sizes, include different “sleeper sizes.” These sleeper sizes are often labeled just like mattress sizes, and the bed you fit within your camper can be planned accordingly.

Keep in mind that different weight distributions can change how well your pop-up camper is able to hold weight. For this reason, king-sized beds and/or mattresses may require extra support.

Furthermore, rowdy children or a rambunctious dog can put extra strain on the joints of the camper, if they often cause it to rock.

What is the pop-up camper weight limit? Most pop-up campers are rated to hold up to 1,000 pounds. When looking to rent/buy a pop-up camper, many will say how many people can sleep in the camper (ex. “sleeps 4).

Often those limits will also specify if there is a weight limit to stay under.

For the most part, staying within the recommended number of “sleepers,” will minimize weight strain on your camper.

Pop-up Camper Weight Distribution Hitch

If you have a bumper pull trailer, a weight distribution hitch can make things easier. In some cases, depending on the trailer and the vehicle, it may even be necessary.

Weight distribution hitches are also called “load equalizing hitches.” They help distribute the weight of your load more evenly, to avoid strain when pulling a trailer.

If you are pulling a pop-up camper that weighs more than half of the weight of your towing vehicle, you need to invest in a weight distribution hitch.

Therefore, while using a light vehicle to pull a large pop-up camper, you will likely need to purchase a weight distribution hitch.

Due to the weight of pop-up campers, though, it is unlikely that you will need a weight distribution hitch.

Furthermore, before purchasing a weight distribution hitch, you will want to ensure that the particular hitch you buy is compatible with your pop-up camper.

You can check with the manufacturer if you are unsure about compatibility.

Read also: How Much Does It Cost to Install a Trailer Hitch? (with 9 examples)

How Much Does a Jayco Pop-up Camper Weigh?

How much does a Jayco pop-up camper weigh? The average weight for a Jayco pop-up camper is about 1,800 pounds. Many Jayco trailers do have bath/shower options that can either come with the vehicle or be added on.

Most Jayco trailers have fiberglass roofs, which can add extra weather protection, while also adding more weight than their tent-roofed counterparts.

Jayco is a popular pop-up camper brand. Their vehicles come with long warranties, which makes them popular with people just starting out with pop-up camping.

Their classic designs are very popular, because they have detachable bed arms, which means you can set up and take down extended bed space.

What Is The Starcraft Pop-up Camper Weight?

Starcraft has been a popular vehicle company since 1903. Their experience in the RV industry and their customer service makes them another great go-to company for those just getting started with pop-up campers.

Keep in mind that customizations can add to the gross weight of the pop-up campers they offer.

What is the Starcraft pop-up camper weight? The Starcraft Comet is the most popular Starcraft pop-up camper and weigh around 1,840 pounds. This vehicle has hard sides, so it will look more like a classic camper when fully expanded.

The hard sides will also provide enhanced weather protection. Starcraft comets come with dinettes and several sleeping options.

The Starcraft RT is another popular model of camper trailer. This trailer features Aluminum sidewall. Aluminum is a particularly light metal, which makes it easier to decrease the weight of this trailer.

The Starcraft RT is heavier than the Comet, with a dry weight of approximately 2,979 pounds.

What Is The Pop-up Camper Tongue Weight?

As with any trailer, the size and customization can affect the weight. The tongue weight of a pop-up camper is largely dependent on the size of the camper trailer itself.

What is the pop-up camper tongue weight? Mini pop-up campers usually have a tongue weight ranging between 30 and 60 pounds. Small pop-up campers usually have a tongue weight ranging between 60 and 150 pounds. Medium pop-up campers have a tongue weight between 100 and 200 pounds. Large pop-up campers can weigh 200 pounds or even up to 450 pounds.

If you want to calculate your own tongue weight, you can weigh your vehicle with the trailer attached (not the trailer), and then weigh the vehicle alone.

Find the difference between these two weights and you will have your pop-up camper tongue weight.

How Much Weight Can A Pop up Camper Frame Hold?

This will be dependent on the pop up camper frame that has been purchased. Of course, some of them are going to be capable of holding a lot more weight than others.

How much weight can a pop-up camper frame hold? On average, when a pop up camper frame has been fully loaded, it will likely have around 1000lbs of items inside of it. This does not necessarily mean that the pop up camper frame is not able to hold more, neither does it is capable of holding up to 1000lbs in weight.

This is merely the average.

When you are purchasing a pop up camper frame, it is important that you do your own research into the amount of weight that your selected camper frame can hold.

The manufacturer will list it in their specifications somewhere. It is important that you do not deviate from the maximum amount. It will damage the frame. 

How Much Weight Can A Hybrid Camper Bed Hold?

How much weight can a hybrid camper bed hold? In most cases, the maximum weight will be between 800lbs and 1000lbs. It is important that you look at the manufacturer’s specifications to get a rough idea of how much their hybrid camper bed is able to cope with.

Remember, it is vital that you do not overload the hybrid camper bed because this will cause you serious issues.

The last thing you want is for that hybrid camper bed to give up on you while you are sleeping, right?

Generally speaking, there is no real difference between cable supported and pole supported hybrid camper beds. Both tend to have a weight limit that is roughly on par with the other.

How Much Does a Coleman Pop up Camper Weigh?

Coleman is one of the largest manufacturers of pop up campers in the world. This means that they have a variety of different models in their range, and they have done so for several decades now.

Due to the depth of the Coleman pop up camper range, it is impossible for us to tell you exactly how much your Coleman pop up camper will weigh. You will have to look into the manufacturer’s specification.

How much does a Coleman pop up camper weigh? Some of these pop up campers will weigh as little as 400lbs, while some can go well above the 3,500lbs range.

Remember, when you are looking for the weight, you will need to pay attention to the actual weight of the pop up camper as well as the hitch weight.

This way, you will be able to know whether it can hook up to your vehicle properly or not. Your vehicle will have a maximum weight that it can pull, after all.

What Is The Lightest Jayco Camper?

What is the lightest Jayco camper? The lightest camper released by Jayco is the 2021 Jay Feather Micro. The stock model will weigh as little as 4,750lb. However, there are some customization options that will allow the owner to get the camper even lower than this.

The lightness is achieved by utilizing lighter materials in the construction, some of which have not been found in other campers out there.

Space saving techniques have also been used to ensure that more equipment can fit into a smaller space which, again, helps to keep the price down.

Read also: Top 35 Lightweight Pop Up Camper: Pop Up Trailer Tents You Need To Know

What Does Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) Mean On a Pop up Camper?

What does Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) mean on a pop up camper? When we discuss the gross vehicle weight, or GVWR as it is commonly known, we are talking about the maximum amount of weight that the trailer can hold. This means when absolutely everything inside of the trailer is consider.

This includes the original trailer construction, coupled with any extra equipment in the trailer, people inside of the trailer, as well as any water or gas in the trailer.

It is important that the GVWR of the pop up camper is never exceeded, even by a couple of pounds.

The pop up camper would only have been tested to a certain weight and, after a point, you are going to be running the risk of the trailer buckling under its own weight.

Remember; extra weight means more pressure put on all of the joints.

Conclusion 

When you are shopping for a pop up camper, it is vital that you do your research into the weight. No matter what vehicle you own, it is only going to be able to tow a maximum weight.

If you do not do your research, then you may end up purchasing a camper that literally cannot be pulled by your vehicle without causing damage to either of them.

Remember, don’t just pay attention to the weight of the camper. You will also need to pay attention to the hitch weight, and any other weight specifications that you are given. 

Mike Gilmour

Hi, I'm Mike, co-founder, and editor of RV and Playa. My passion is traveling (with my RV) and enjoying the day at the beach (Playa)! Well, I originally created this blog as a way to share what I've learned by experimenting with the RV lifestyle, and I want to help others develop in life through new skills and opportunities.

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