What Options Can You Get With Pop-Up Campers?

Pop-up campers, also known as foldout campers, are a smaller and lighter alternative to full-size travel trailers. Pop-up campers are part tent, part trailer. A pop-up trailer's top 4 to 5 feet is made with collapsible canvas walls. These walls allow an entire camper to fit into a 4-foot-tall shell. The lightweight design of a pop-up allows a variety of cars, minivans and small SUVs to tow them. The small design enables pop-up campers to go where large trailers and RVs can not.

  1. Bathroom

    • Many pop-up campers manufactured today have an optional bathroom feature. Options include indoor or outdoor bathrooms. Some campers offer only toilets and others include a heated shower as well. Indoor units usually offer a flushing toilet and shower stall in one. Outdoor bathrooms are usually equipped with a portable toilet that must be emptied. It is important to understand how the toilet and shower system work before purchasing a camper.

    Climate Control

    • Climate control options vary by model of pop-up. Standard options usually include a simple built-in fan to help cool the inside of the camper. Higher-end models offer optional heaters and/or air conditioners. Not all models come with both. As an alternative to a full heater system, many pop-up campers come with heated beds. Whenever a heater system is installed in a pop-up, there should also be a carbon monoxide detector.

    Toy Hauler Decks

    • Recently, pop-up camper manufacturers have added a new feature to the list of pop-up options, a toy hauler deck. The length of a pop-up camper's trailer is extended by adding extra space between the front of the camper and the hitch. Metal decking is installed over the trailer frame along with a small railing. This area is used to tow ATVs and other small recreational vehicles. When the camper is in use, the area can be used as a raised patio.

    Other Options

    • The options available for a pop-up vary depending on the manufacturer and the model of the camper. Most pop-ups offer common features like stereo systems, exterior lighting and microwaves. Options a customer might want to look for in newer models and high-end used campers include battery packs, outside electrical outlets, carbon monoxide detectors and freshwater storage containers.