Going camping with a small pop up camper allows you to experience more luxurious camping than a tent while remaining lightweight. This means you can tow it with your current vehicle, without spending the money to upgrade to a larger truck or SUV for towing. It’s also a bit cheaper than other campers.
Pop up campers are lightweight enough to be hauled by almost any vehicle. The average size car can tow 1,000 to 1,500 lbs, while larger cars, minivans, and crossovers can tow 3,500 lbs, according to AutoList. However, this does not mean you can tow a pop up that weighs 3,500 lbs. Instead, you’ll need to look at small pop-up campers with weights under 2,000 or 1,000 lbs to account for cargo, gear, and liquids.
There’s a wide range of different types of small pop-ups that won’t max out your towing capacity. In some, you’ve got space for 1 to 2 people to sleep with extra room to keep your gear protected, while other pop-ups can even sleep a family of 3 to 5 people. Here are 15 great small pop up camper options:
1. Rockwood Freedom 1640LTD
Source: Forest River
- Weight: 1,465 lbs
This is hands down one of the best small pop up campers you can get. It’s the same model my family used for years with our Honda Odyssey. You’ve got large windows, a sitting area that transforms into a bed, slide-out beds on both sides, a sink, cooking space, and even an AC unit on some models. This creates a space large enough to sleep five people if needed, albeit a little tight. You get a fantastic use of space for a reasonable weight under 1,500 lbs.
2. Sylvan Sport GO
Source: Sylvan Sport
- Weight: 840 lbs
If you need to go ultra-lightweight, then the Sylvan Sport GO is a great choice. This is ideal for sleeping 1 to 2 people. For those with cars that can only tow between 1,000 and 1,500 lbs, you can still handle a little bit of cargo in addition to the weight of the camper. Even at its small weight, this camper includes a spacious bed, collapsible table, and zippable storage. The tent trailer also includes a mounting rack for hauling bikes and kayaks.
3. Livin Lite Quicksilver 6.0
Source: Livin Lite
- Weight: 694 lbs
Keeping things super light, the QuickSilver tent camper in the smallest floor plan provides a 55-inch sofa and a queen size flip out bunk bed. This model also includes a small table that attaches to a central pole mount. With zippered windows all around, you can open up the entire tent trailer up for full ventilation. This small pop up camper is so light that it even makes it in our list of the best motorcycle campers!
4. A-Liner Scout
Source: A-Liner
- Weight: 1,395 lbs
Known for their hard side pop up campers, A-Liners come in a unique design that offers more protection from the elements while out camping. In comparison to the tent style pop-ups, the hard-siding offers better weather-proofing and insulation for AC units. The interior of the scout features a folding bed with a dinette, sofa bed, underneath storage, and counter space.
5. Coachmen Viking 1706XLS
Source: Coachmen
- Weight: 1,642 lbs
Coachmen’s Viking comes in ideal for families with children that need more sleeping space. One slideout is larger than the other making one perfect for adults, and the other great for kids. The Viking has spacious stove space and a sink for cooking inside the camper.
6. Forest River Flagstaff 206LTD
Source: Forest River
- Weight: 1,608 lbs
The Forest River Flagstaff is another fantastic small pop up camper for those who need a little extra space while remaining under 2,000 lbs. This camper can sleep up to 5 with its large slideout beds and dinette that folds into a bed. There’s plenty of room for storage as well underneath the countertops.
7. Livin Lite Quicksilver 8.0
Source: Livin Lite
- Weight: 865 lbs
Another camper from Livin Lite, the Quicksilver 8.0 is a tad larger than their 6.0 counterpart. Coming in at only 865 lbs, you can also tow this pop up with most vehicles. The 8.0 expands into slideout beds on both sides with a central seating area and storage. Nearly the entire camper unzips as well for great ventilation and airflow for when the weather’s nice.
8. Jayco Jay Sport 8SD
Source: Jayco
- Weight: 1,535 lbs
Another great pop up design, the Jayco Jay Sport can sleep up to 5 people. This is an ideal pop up camper layout for families or couples going camping. Inside there’s room for cargo, cooking, and an interior sink. At about 1,500 lbs, most minivans and crossovers can handle towing its weight while accounting for 500 lbs in cargo.
9. Coachmen Clipper Express 9.0TD
Source: Coachmen
- Weight: 1,080 lbs
A mix between a pop-up and small camper, the Coachmen Clipper Express features a pop-top for more ventilation and interior room. This camper sleeps 1 to 2 people with space for additional cargo. With a smaller design and no slide-out beds, there’s less time spent on setup once you arrive at your campsite. All you need to do is park and plug-in for the most part.
10. TAXA Outdoors Cricket
Source: TAXA Outdoors
- Weight: 1,800 lbs
The Clipper from TAXA Outdoors is a combination of a small camper and pop up. With its pop up roof design, you get the best of both worlds. This allows for increased ventilation and protection from the elements. The Cricket sleeps two adults and up to two children inside its portable design. For a well-equipped camper, it has plenty of storage room and optional add-ons for whatever you may need.
Conclusion
Each of these small pop up campers can be pulled behind most cars, minivans, and crossovers. Of course, this does depend on how much weight you feel comfortable with towing as to which camper to choose. There are many different types of options for pop up campers for different needs. No matter which one you pick, each is sure to offer you a more comfortable experience on your next adventure.