Every nature lover thinks about buying an RV at least once in their lifetime. Whether it’s a pop-up camper or a massive Class A RV, all that matters is you enjoy your time outdoors without any hassle. That’s why many RV enthusiasts start with a pop-up camper.
Buying a pop-up camper is undoubtedly a fun experience. Yet it would help if you were careful about checking every various aspect before you buy one. You don’t want to deal with a leaking roof or crammed-up spaces when you are out there camping in the jungle.
To help you do that, here are six things you need to consider while buying a pop-up camper.
1. Weight
Your camper’s weight makes a lot of difference in your camping experience. Your truck should be able to lift the weight of your camper. Camper models usually range from 2000 lbs to 3000 lbs depending on the brand.
If you are a beginner, RVer pop-up campers are an excellent option. They are lightweight and easily towable, making them perfect for carrying through rough terrains and narrow roads. You won’t face any problem carrying them to any off-grid locations.
It’s also important to know your towing vehicle’s maximum lifting capacity. Though your truck might have a lifting capacity of 5000 pounds, it’s good to buy a camper that weighs around a maximum of 3000 pounds.
Many RVers often exceed that capacity thinking they have more than enough wiggle room. But when you load your camper with people, supplies, fuel, and other liquids like water, they get very heavy. So make sure you consider all these weight factors before buying a camper.
2. Size
One of the primary reasons people buy campers is they are compact. Their compactness makes them easy to carry to remote places like riverbanks and lakes. It won’t make sense to buy a bigger camper than your towing vehicle. It will not only make your camper lose stability on the road but dramatically affect your navigation through high terrains and slopes.
It’s also important to understand that pop-up campers are expandable. They expand twice or thrice in size when you pop them up. That means you need to find a spacious parking space to accommodate your camper when you pop it up.
3. Bathroom
One of the major concerns of RVers is dealing with nature calls. No matter how much you want to live that RV life and bathe in rivers and lakes, your camper must have a bathroom for emergencies.
When you start looking at campers, you will realize not all models have bathrooms. The Coachmen Clipper Classic 1285 SST is equipped with bathroom. It also has a separate shower with 23 gallons capacity of freshwater. Though the bathroom may not be as luxurious as a Class A RV, you can easily bathe and get fresh.
4. Sleeping Capacity
Camping is all about spending your time in nature. As much as you like to sleep under a tree at night, it’s best to sleep in your camper. You don’t have to compromise your sleep to enjoy nature.
Pop-up campers are small in size, but it doesn’t mean they have less room. Pop-up campers that come with an A-Frame can be expanded into various sections. That means more people can accommodate inside it.
Some major campers models can accommodate up to 7 people. They come with king and queen-sized beds and extra sofas that you can also turn into beds. That means your entire family can travel and enjoy camping with you.
5. Storage
Pop-up camper trailers are collapsible into smaller versions so that you can easily store them. After folding, they take up very little space, so you can easily fit them into your garage. If your garage doesn’t have much space, you can park it in your driveway. If you cover it properly with a durable, waterproof cover, it can easily withstand harsh weather conditions.
People living in an apartment building might face some difficulties parking their camper. They might have to rent a storage unit to store their camper. Thankfully the camper’s small size requires a small-sized unit to keep it. So you can save money on the storage unit rent.
6. Climate Control
Unlike full-fledged motorhomes and RVs, they may or may not have climate control features. Not all campers come with an in-built AC unit or exhaust fans. Before you buy the campers, check whether they have any climate control features as it can be difficult to stay inside in harsh weather.
Buying your first RV is an unforgettable experience. Make sure you have some preferences in mind and double-check whether the camper has them or not. It’s also good to compromise on some features if other features are better than you expect. Consider these factors mentioned above to buy the best camper on your budget.