How to Add Storage to a Homemade Pop-up Camper

Pop-up campers are an excellent choice for entry-level RV camping or for those who want to add an extra level of comfort to car camping. Easy to tow with most vehicles and less expensive than tag-alongs or fifth wheels, pop-up campers are lightweight and compact. Along with their smaller size, however, comes less storage space for your gear and clothing. A few simple and creative additions to your homemade unit will increase your storage space without breaking the bank.

Things You'll Need

  • Rubberized bins or plastic totes
  • Canvas shelving
  • Small closet rod
  • Velcro strips
  • Hooks
  • Roof rack
  • RV putty
  • Roof container
  • Repositionable hooks
  • Slide-out shelves
  • Plastic drawer unit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Add a few rubberized bins or plastic totes with lids to your pop-up camper to keep items from sliding around during travel. Buy the largest size that will fit the dimensions of your unit's floor when everything is folded down for maximum storage. Use one bin for food, a second for gear and equipment and a third bin for clothing. Put the bins on the camper floor when towing the camper and store them underneath the camper when the unit is raised.

    • 2
      Hang canvas shelves from the ceiling for additional storage.

      Hang canvas storage shelves inside your pop-up camper to add extra storage space for clothes and lightweight items. Suspend the shelves from a small closet rod in the camper by wrapping sewn-on Velcro straps around the rod. Install hooks into the camper ceiling to hang additional canvas shelving. Take the shelves down and fold them flat for travel.

    • 3

      Install a rack on the roof of your pop-up camper to hold an external, weather-resistant locking storage container. Seal the bolts from the roof rack frame with RV putty to prevent leaks. Consider how much weight your camper roof can hold when packing the container. You can add a separate piece to the rack to accommodate up to six bicycles.

    • 4
      Hang lightweight items from plastic wall hooks.

      Hang several repositionable hooks throughout your camper to hang towels, toiletry bags and lightweight kitchen gear. Keep the hooks up for the entire camping season, or remove them after each outing.

    • 5

      Add slide-out shelving to the cabinets you put inside your pop-up camper to maximize the space inside of them and to reach items in the back more easily. Place plastic drawer units on the camper floor during towing and then set them on the counter when camping to organize your clothes or other camping equipment.