How to Setup a Pop Up Camper

Pop-up campers feature the combination of aluminum or hard-shell semi-walls and fabric sleeping sections. Pop-up campers generally are less expensive than larger full-sized hard-shell campers and are lighter weight, allowing mid-size autos and trucks to tow them. Pop-ups go up within a few minutes. Most pop-ups have internal levels and jacks to provide a flat camping surface, as well as connections for electricity, cable TV, sewer and water.

Things You'll Need

  • Wheel chocks
  • Level (internal or external)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Park the camper in the designated camping area. Disconnect the pop-up trailer from the towing truck or car. Place wheel chocks under the pop-up tires as a safety measure.

    • 2

      Walk around the pop-up and unlock the roof hitches at the corners. Open the control panel on the outside of the camper and find either the hand crank or the control box if the pop-up uses a small motor to raise the roof.

    • 3

      Raise the roof according to the method used for the particular pop-up. Once the roof is fully raised, replace the crank into the panel and close the door. Go inside the camper, spread out the fabric over the sleeping quarters and push any support poles up into their grommets to secure the sleeping quarter panels.

    • 4

      Go outside and find the level indicator on the camper, or place a level on the floor of the camper near the door. Go to the four corner level jacks and turn them counterclockwise to lower them to the ground. Adjust them as needed until the camper is flat and even.

    • 5

      Connect electric, water, sewer or TV connections on the outer panel connections if you are camping at an equipped campground.