Top 8 Small Pop-up Campers
Taking an RV vacation or trip with your friends and family can make for an unforgettable experience. However, not everyone is ready to invest in a large, bulky motorhome. That is where RV rentals come in. If you are searching for a cheaper or low-cost option, think about small and compact pop-up campers. Renting a pop-up camper is often the most affordable option for RV camping and trips. If you would like to enjoy the benefits of using pop-up campers without the full investment, then consider an RV camper rental from RVnGO.
Pop-up campers are relatively lightweight tents on wheels. The canvas framework makes them easy to tow and fold down into a small package, meaning they’re easy to store and don’t take up much space.
Pop-up campers are a great option for those who want to try out the RV lifestyle without making a major investment. And since they’re so lightweight, they can be towed by most vehicles, making them a versatile and convenient option for weekend getaways or longer vacations.
Turtleback Getaway
Cost: $18,995
Sleeps: 5 – 6
Length: 11 feet 6 inches
Weight: 1160 lbs.
The durable and comfortable Turtleback Getaway is well-made and great for camping, but it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. It’s a pop-up tent with all the amenities you need to live underneath it, but it’s rather high-tech for a little trailer. It has all the utilities you need except for an inside shower and toilet, but it does have a large freshwater tank for its size (21 gallons). For comparison, that’s how big the tanks on some travel trailers are. If you want to increase your water capacity, you can even get the 43-gallon capacity Expedition model.
Sylvan Sport Go
Cost: $10,995
Sleeps: 5
Length: 11 feet 8 inches
Weight: 840 lbs.
One of the primary determinants of a trailer’s ride quality is its axles and wheels. To provide a more stable and dampened ride for enhanced control, every GO comes equipped with cast aluminum wheels and Dexter Torsion Axles. Without the GO’s lightweight design, a standard leaf-spring suspension would result in a bouncier and less manageable ride.
The large, elevated, waterproof tent can be set up quickly with multiple dining and sleeping options. Configurable components allow you to quickly change the interior setup for dining, sleeping, or playing, depending on what you need at the moment.
A-liner Scout Lite
Cost: $15,000
Sleeps: 3
Length: 13 feet
Weight: 1,180 lbs.
This lightweight pop-up A-frame camper is perfect when it comes to barebones camping. You will pretty much only have a sink and limited space, but what you get in exchange are portability and size. This camper is small enough to fit in a garage and can be towed by most vehicles. No need to get a truck or large SUV.
This A-frame pop-up camping trailer is quick and easy to set up. Though it lacks indoor amenities like a kitchen or bathroom, it may still suit your needs if you’re looking for a small, decent-quality camper. The LXE model includes such amenities but is 2 feet longer.
Forest River RV Flagstaff Hard Sides
Cost: $11,000
Sleeps: 27 feet 9 inches
Length: 13 feet
Weight: 2,120 lbs.
The Flagstaff T12RBST is a lightweight camper that can be towed by many vehicles. This unique design offers hard sides in a folding camper. The set-up is easy and can be done in minutes! The top can be lifted with ease and requires very little effort.
The Flagstaff T12RBST boasts a CoolCat heat pump air conditioner, LP gas furnace, refrigerator, cooktop, water pump, a water heater with DSI, sink with cover, outside shower, stereo with indoor and outdoor speakers, microwave, rear bed, front dinette, premium 3-speed ventilation fan, and tinted skylight with shade, among other features.
Air Opus OP4
Cost: $28,500
Sleeps: 4+
Length: 17 feet
Weight: 3,100 lbs.
The Air OPUS OP4 camper trailer uses the latest air beam technology so that the camper canopy and annex fully inflate with the push of a button, rather than having to be manually set up with metal poles. The air beam technology is the same as what the US military uses. The triple-layer technology guarantees extra durability and reliability for your camping adventures. The air beams are much stronger than poles and cause much less hassle and weight. The best part is that the air beam inflation is quick, allowing set up in under 5 minutes!
2022 Coachman Clipper Express 9.0TD
Cost: $18,465
Sleeps: 6
Length: 14 feet 2 inches
Weight: 1,418 lbs.
The 13-foot Coachmen Clipper Express 9.0TD from the Forest River family of RVs offers the best of both worlds, being half pop-up tent trailer and half hard-sided, sharply angled teardrop. Closed for travel, the laminated-aluminum-skinned teardrop is sleek and light on its wheels, on-road, or off-road. However, the pop-up rear entry provides added roominess when set up for camp.
The camper’s pop-up tent-style rear entry makes it easy to walk in and out, and the exterior cook stove maximizes interior space, making this little hybrid feel much bigger inside than it appears. Its lightweight design fits the towing ability of many crossovers, cars, and small SUVs.
Aliner Utah Somerset
Cost: $18,000
Sleeps: 5
Length: 18 feet 9 inches
Weight: 2,650 lbs.
If you’re looking for a small, lightweight small pop-up camper that’s easy to tow, the Aliner Somerset might be a good option for you. It weighs in at around 2,800 pounds, making it easy to tow behind a small SUV or minivan. It sleeps up to four people and has a small kitchenette with a sink, a two-burner stove, and a small refrigerator. There’s also a fold-down table inside.
The camper has electric brakes, so you’ll need a vehicle with a seven-way trailer connector to tow it. The Somerset is also basic in terms of features, so it might not be the best option if you’re looking for a camper with all the bells and whistles.
Jayco Jay Sport
Cost: $10,022
Sleeps: 6
Length: 11 feet 7 inches
Weight: 1,570 lbs.
The Jayco Jay Sport is the perfect small pop-up camper for a family trip. It has a queen bed and a set of bunk beds, as well as a dinette that converts into a bed. Plus, there’s plenty of storage for all your gear. And when you’re not using it, you can easily fold it down for convenient transportation and storage. A couple of features and options you can expect with a standard Jayco Jay Sport include:
- Heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant frame construction
- Integrated A-frame by Norco®
- One-piece wooden floor deck wrapped with Poly Flex™ underbelly material
- Scratch-resistant, embossed-aluminum exterior finish
- Domed, seamless fiberglass roof and mildew-resistant aluminum ceiling
- Easy to use lifter system with wide lifter posts integrated into the tent
- DuraTek™ water-repellent sectionalized tent with 1,050 lb. rated beds
- Removable bed braces with storage bag
- One-piece entrance door with self-storing screen door
Types of Pop-Up Campers
There are a few different types of popular camper RVs that have pop-up features. Some of the most common ones are Coleman, Jayco, and Palomino. Each of these brands offers a unique take on the pop-up camper, and they all have their pros and cons. The three main types of campers you’ll come across include Tent-Trailers, High-Wall Campers, A-frames, and Teardrop Campers.
Tent-Trailers:
Pop-up campers have walls made of collapsible canvas that make them resemble large tents. They are lightweight and offer a significant amount of interior space when set up.
High-Wall Campers:
The high-wall campers are an upgraded version of tent trailers with solid walls. The only part of the camper that is made from canvas is the top portion, which expands to provide more headroom and storage space.
A-frames:
A-Frame pop-up campers are both lightweight and able to be towed with smaller vehicles, in contrast to the more heavyweight and less manageable traditional pop-up camper. A-Frames are also hard-sided, meaning they are more resistant to wear and tear as well as more capable of withstanding less-than-ideal weather conditions. Thus, they provide a more reliable and comfortable camping experience overall.
Teardrop Pop-up Campers
The diverse range of modern teardrop campers means that there is one to suit everyone. They vary in size and may come complete with a wide array of home comforts, such as a full RV kitchen, comfortable sleeping quarters, a dining area, and a bathroom with a separate shower and toilet.
Rent a Pop-Up Camper with RVnGO Today
If you’re looking to go camping, fishing, on a vacation, or wherever you can think of, a pop-up camper makes for a unique experience. With lightweight designs and portability, you could save hundreds versus renting a house or AirBnB without the hassle or cost of a large RV rental. The best part, most are so lightweight that you can tow them with a modern sedan. Browse dozens of pop-up campers and other types of RVs at RVnGO today.