Pop-up campers come in different sizes, lengths, and weights that can accommodate your different needs and wants when it comes to your RV. The small, lightweight versions are the best choice for the most popular pop-ups on the market. These types of campers are easier to tow and maneuver as they can fit into tighter campsites and are cheaper to buy and maintain than the regular rigs. Choosing one can be challenging, so I’m here to make the decision easier for you.
| Pop-Up Campers | Pros | Cons |
| Jayco Jay Sport | Great for mid-sized families Comes with large freshwater tanks Has hot water heater | No air conditioning included |
| Coachmen Clipper Express | Preinstalled AC unit Sleek Compact design Natural lighting inside the camper | No indoor stovetop and refrigerator placement |
| SylvanSportsGo | Lightweight Can bring big boy toys along Has three modes to choose from | Doesn’t come with amenities Doesn’t have running water |
| TurtleBack Trailer Getaway Series | All-terrain wheels and tires Higher clearance than other campers Lots of storage | No air conditioning |
| Forest River Flagstaff 176LTD | Two beds Can sleep up to 6 people Cheapest pop-up trailer Comes with a seven-foot awning | Propane leaks |
| Aliner Ranger 12 | Complete amenities Deep sink Running water Dinette Stovetop | Cramped Lacks storage space |
Jayco Jay Sport Pop-Up Camping Trailer: The Number One Choice
Jayco is a brand that is well-known in the RV industry, and it is a little surprise that they put their best foot forward in designing the Jayco Jay Sport Pop-Up Camping Trailer. It is light enough to be towed by a mid-size SUV without needing to cut any corners when it comes to your comfort and convenience.
The Jayco Jay Sport Pop-Up Camping Trailer has a 225 pounds hitch weight and 14 inches wheels that will help it tow and track easily behind most tow vehicles. The interior of this pop-up trailer is spacious. Even though it is small, it can sleep up to four people on paper.
However, you can fit at least five to six [people, making this small pop-up perfect for a medium-sized family that wants to live on the road full time. The kitchen inside includes a two-burner propane stove a single basin sink, which is supported by the large 28-gallon fresh water storage tanks.
Now, this pop-up doesn’t come with an air conditioner, but there is a toasty 16,000 BTU propane heater that comes with the trailer. There is also a six-gallon hot water heater that can supply the sink for washing dishes or your hands. The Jayco Jay Sport Pop-Up Camping Trailer is meant for families that want to stay at a full-service trailer rather than those who love boondocking off the grid.
Depending on the floorplan that you choose, the Jayco Jay Sport Pop-Up Camping Trailer price starts at $10,200. You can check the prices on the Jayco website.
Coachmen Clipper Express 9.0TD: Best Value For Your Money
When you are looking for a lightweight camper with all the essential amenities in it, the Coachmen Clipper Express 9.0TD is the best option for you. Thanks to the aluminum steel frame, this trailer keeps its lightweight body in the shape of a sleek teardrop while it is in transport mode.
The rear entry of the trailer pops up when you are ready to set up camp in parks or campgrounds. Once you have done so, it will provide you with an extra spacious interior with just about everything you need for comfortable living.
Inside the trailer, you will find a bench, sink, and countertop, as well as a huge, thick 54 x 74 inches foam bed with overhead storage. You will also find huge sliding windows that surround the bed. If you have been using campers long enough, you will find that teeny-tiny, dark spaces. Here, you won’t feel claustrophobic at all!
When you want to keep warm at night, there is a furnace inside the trailer that works like a charm. If you are camping out in the summer, the heat will be no match for the air conditioning unit that is installed below the counter space.
The Coachmen Clipper Express 9.0TD has all the basics to make you comfortable while living on the road. You can sleep inside in warm weather or cold weather, and rest assured you will wake up feeling relaxed as well as refreshing.
Though the sink, large bed, air conditioner, and furnace sound good as far as amenities go, the Coachmen Clipper Express 9.0TD is pretty basic. If you want more amenities, you can always opt-in for the Delux or the V-Package.
The downside to this trailer is you would have to cook outside since the propane camp stove mounts are in the exterior of the trailer. The refrigerator is also placed outside the rig. If you are into al fresco dining, then this is the best trailer for your needs.
The Coachmen Clipper Express 9.0TD price is $10,998, and you can purchase them on their website.
SylvanSport Go: The Best Pop-Up Camper To Haul Around Toy
The SylvanSport Go is perfect for those who have plenty of toys that they like to bring in their road adventures. This trailer has three modes: camper, utility trailer, and gear hauler. The camper mode is a tent set up where it’s comparable to a rugged camping experience. It doesn’t come with any amenities and extra features like a kitchen or cabinetry.
Instead, you will find sleeping space for up to four adults with a standing interior height of six feet and five inches. You will also find a center table with seating where you can spend meals with your loved ones. The best part about this trailer is when it is in transport mode, you can haul anything from bikes to kayaks, canoes, and other heavy equipment that you may have.
The entire SylvanSport Go only weighs about 840 pounds making it very lightweight and easy to tow. It is also considered to be durable since the material is made from powder-coated aluminum, heavy-duty tent materials, and premium construction.
Rest assured that you will be comfortable while taking a rest inside the camper as it provides spacious pop-up shelter, smooth-riding torsion axle, and ultralight maneuverability.
You can purchase the SylvanSport Go for only $9,995 through their website.
TurtleBack Trailer Getaway Series: Great For Rough Terrains
Now, there are some trailers that you can take to free campsites, and they are good enough for the job. However, some trailers are best to bring with you on different adventures. It is built for off-roading, and the trailer is durable, lightweight, and can do on difficult terrains.
Thanks to the galvanized tube steel chassis, it can withstand any bumpy roads that you may face during your adventures. The setting up process is also easy when it comes to the TurtleBack Trailer Getaway Series. All you have to do is peg the camper on the ground, and you are good to go.
Inside the camper, you will find a double bed with a foam mattress that you can comfortably sleep two people in. When you want to take the entire family on an adventure, it can fit up to four people just fine. Since the TurtleBack Trailer Getaway Series is an off-road camper, it doesn’t come with any amenities you will expect from an RV.
It is considered more as a tent than a full-sized trailer. However, it does come with a 21-gallon water tank, on-demand water pump, and 11-pound pancake propane tank. You can cook food and wash your hands as well as dishes on the trailer, making it convenient for your adventures.
The TurtleBack Trailer Getaway Series is lightweight enough for you to use with smaller SUVs or an all-terrain vehicle but complete enough for campers to use with convenience.
The starting price for the TurtleBack Trailer Getaway Series is $18,995. You can also choose from two packages that will provide extra equipment for your trailer at an additional cost. If you want to purchase the TurtleBack Trailer Getaway Series, you can visit their website.
Forest River Rockwood1640LTD: Affordable Pop-Up Camper
One of the most popular pop-up campers is the Forest River Rockwood 1640LTD because it provides quality construction, well laid out floor plan, and is lighter weight than the other pop-up models that Forest River offers. The best thing about this camper is the price, as it is considered to be one of the cheapest trailers that you can buy.
Despite its affordable price, the Forest River Rockwood 1640LTD still has everything that you need for your on-the-road adventure. It is capable of sleeping six-person, and it has a large convertible dinette booth for you to eat together in.
It also has a two-burner range, a small mini-fridge, plenty of storage, and a seven-foot awning that will provide additional covered space that you can hang around in under the sun during the day.
For cooking your meals, the Forest River Rockwood 1640LTD has a carry-out range where you can cook outside if you please. There are two beds available, one in the front (54 x 78 inches) and one in the back (42 x 78 inches).
Forest River has created their folding pop-up campers that will make time spent with your family and friends exactly what it should be. Rest assured, with this camper, you can have relaxing and enjoyable moments on your adventures on the road.
The unit has quilted-top mattresses, residential-style cabinet doors, wood drawers with full-extension metal guides, and leather-appearance seating that will make you comfortable. It also features a one-piece vacuum-bonded fiberglass roof with a metal interior ceiling, a one-piece undercoated structure wood floor, five-piece sectionalized Hurculite Supreme tenting, tinted vinyl windows, and full-perimeter aluminum bed frames.
The Forest River Rockwood 1640LTD is one of the cheapest pop-up campers that you can find in the market, with a price of $8,754. You can visit their website if you want to purchase this pop-up camper.
Aliner Ranger 12: Sturdy and Great For the Small-Sized Family
The Aliner Ranger 12 is a lightweight, sturdy pop-up camper with great amenities to make camping feel like home. It has a solid, A-frame roof that provides you an at-home feel from the sturdy fiberglass exteriors alone. This camper is lightweight and compact, and thanks to the diamond plate stone guard, it can keep you protected against the elements.
You make a great meal on the two-burner indoor stovetop, and once you are done eating, you can wash the dishes on the sink right next to it. The camper comes with 11 gallons of freshwater that will run through the camper with a water pump. When you are camping in the mountains, you can use the water heater so you won’t freeze in the cold weather.
Since the Aliner Ranger 12 is lightweight, it has near-complete amenities in exchange, and you would have to deal with a cramped space. The camper is not spacious enough for you to play around inside, which is the sacrifice that you have to make for a lightweight pop-up camper.
Another great thing about this camper is you can tow the Aliner Ranger 12 with a compact car. It is great if you want an experience closer to a traditional RV rather than a tent. However, if you need a gear hauler or more storage, this may not be the best option for you.
Types of Pop-Up Campers That You Should Know
Not all of the pop-up campers on the market are not made the same. In fact, there are different types of pop-up campers that you should know about. You should know the different types so that you can make the proper decision in choosing what is the best lightweight pop-up campers for you.
Tent Trailers: Just Like A Big Tent
Tent trailers are also known as tent campers, which are soft-shelled pop-up campers that almost look like a big tent. They are the most lightweight out of all the different types, and it is the easiest to use. They are also the most prone to failure and breakage.
When you are new to RV life, this is probably the best trailer that you can choose. It is great for beginners that are not used to handling a big rig while on the road.
High Wall Campers: Innovative Re-Take on Traditional Tent
High wall campers are the innovative re-take on traditional tent campers. The walls of these campers are solid, and they are sturdier and more durable than the other types of campers on the market. The top portion of the walls in these campers are canvas and can expand upward for more interior space.
A-Frame Trailers: Based On the Shape of the Roof
A-frame trailers got their name from the shape of the roof, which can expand up to a similar look of an ‘A’ shape. The shape is similar to the traditional house, which will provide you with more interior space with less weight. It also has a solid roof and walls rather than canvas.
Benefits of A Lightweight Pop-Up Campers: Should You Choose It?
Lightweight pop-up trailers are more convenient than regular-sized RVs when it comes to periodic camping. They may lack the frills and features of other travel trailers, but they are easy to tow and set up. Plenty of pop-up campers is light enough to tow easily and set up.
You can tow these campers with an SUV or even a mid to full-size sedan. It will make them obtainable for the budget-conscious campers. You may not think pop-ups have much benefit other than a place to sleep, but times have changed.
Nowadays, you can find lightweight pop-up campers with kitchens, toilets, showers, and so much more. The RV industry continues to grow its technology as well as its increase in quality.
What You Should Keep in Mind When Buying Pop-Up Campers
Before you go out and purchase your pop-up campers, you should consider how you plan to camp. You should think about whether you would need amenities at your destination such as a shower, toilet, kitchen, etc. When you have determined your must-haves and your budget, it is time to start exploring the camper brands.
Try to walk through any camper that you are considering first. Check for the quality and ask the salesperson to show you how to set the pop-up camper. You need to know if the setup and breakdown process is easy. You should also find out your vehicle’s towing capacity, which is one of the most important things that you should keep in mind.
Whatever vehicle you end up with, make sure that it can pull your pop-up camper purchase.
Conclusion
If you are thinking of buying your first trailer, lightweight pop-up campers are the best way to go. It is easy to handle, small, lightweight but will provide you with the amenities and space that you need. You can sleep in comfort and wake up to the great outdoors with the versatile trailers. Whatever your interest or needs are, chances are there is the perfect match of a lightweight pop-up camper for you on this list.
