How to Use a Tent Camper

Tent campers, also known as pop-ups, have hard aluminum and plastic shells on the bottom portion of the camper and fabric walls and sleeping quarters. Tent campers have hard shell roofs that prevent water from leaking into the camping cabin. Tent campers are lighter in weight than fifth-wheel or full body campers, improving the gas mileage for the towing vehicle. These small and lightweight campers get you into the backcountry or campgrounds at a lower cost as compared to full hard-shell campers.

Things You'll Need

  • Wheel chocks
  • Small heater or fans (optional)
  • Silica gel packs (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Park the trailer in the desired camping area and level the camper. Most tent campers have built-in leveling jacks and bubble levels. Open the jacks to even the levels and then lock the jacks into position using the lock-nuts or fixtures. Open each lock-hitch between the hard shell of the camper and roof. For campers without leveling jacks, use the wheel jack in the tow arm of the camper. Turn the crank counterclockwise to lower the wheel and use it to level off the camper.

    • 2

      Push wheel chocks under the tires once the trailer is level. For safety reasons detach the trailer from the towing vehicle when camping.

    • 3

      Place the silica gel packs around the sleeping quarters when camping in humid or wet environments. These packs absorb moisture and prevent mildew from building up. Gel packs are available in hobby shops or at camping supply stores.

    • 4

      Place small portable fans in the camping cabin to improve air circulation in hot and humid environments. Tent campers develop mold and mildew faster than hard shell campers due to the fabric walls. Keep air flowing to prevent the mildew and mold. If camping in cold environments, use small portable heaters in the camping cabin. Crack a window when using propane heaters to prevent asphyxiation.

    • 5

      Push the sleeping quarters into the main cabin when ready to lower the roof. As you lower the roof, continue to push the fabric wall of the sleeping quarters into the camper, preventing it from getting pinched between the roof and hard shell. Walk around the camper and attach the hitches between the roof and shell; different camper makers use different systems. Bring the jacks up and into their housings, typically in the camper corners, or raise the arm wheel jack.

    • 6

      Re-hitch the two arm to the towing vehicle and ensure the camper light wires are connected to the tow vehicle receiver plug. These are between the tow arm of the trailer and the tow hitch on the towing vehicle.