Pop-up campers, also known as folding campers or tent trailers, boast a history stretching back to the early 20th century. These innovative RVs began as simple DIY projects, evolving from collapsible tents attached to trailers. By 1914, the Campbell Folding Camping Trailer became the first commercially produced model, marking the start of a popular trend. For decades, pop-up campers grew as a favorite for families seeking accessible and versatile options for camping trips and outdoor adventures.
While not as ubiquitous as in their heyday, pop-up travel trailers remain a smart choice for many RV enthusiasts. They are particularly appealing to beginners due to their ease of use, lightweight design, and affordability compared to larger RVs. Pop-ups also bridge the gap for those who enjoy tent camping but desire increased comfort and convenience. Modern pop-up campers offer a compelling blend of portability and practicality, often rivaling the features of a small travel trailer, yet are significantly easier to tow and store. If you’re considering a compact and versatile RV, exploring the Best Pop Up Travel Trailers is an excellent starting point.
Nimrod pop-up trailers
What Exactly is a Pop-Up Travel Trailer?
A pop-up travel trailer is a towable RV engineered to collapse into a compact, low-profile form for towing and storage. Once at your campsite, it expands—or “pops up”—to create a surprisingly spacious interior living area. Many pop-up models utilize a tent-like upper section when expanded, featuring mesh screens for windows and durable fabric walls and ceilings. This design promotes excellent airflow, ideal for camping in warm weather conditions. However, traditional tent-style pop-ups might be less comfortable in colder climates. Fortunately, hard-sided pop-up travel trailers are also available, offering enhanced insulation and weather protection, although typically at a higher price point.
Historically, a hand crank mechanism was the standard for raising the roof and expanding the living space of pop-up campers. Modern designs often incorporate electric motors, simplifying the setup process to the push of a button. Regardless of the mechanism, setting up a pop-up travel trailer is generally quick and straightforward, often taking just minutes to get ready for camping.
The advantages of owning a pop-up travel trailer are numerous. They are remarkably easy to tow thanks to their lightweight and aerodynamic profile, and their compact size makes storage at home a breeze. Compared to sleeping in a tent, pop-ups offer a significant upgrade in comfort and protection while maintaining a close connection to the outdoors. Furthermore, they are generally more affordable than other types of RVs and require less maintenance. However, it’s worth noting that pop-up travel trailers may not offer the same level of insulation against cold or severe weather as a traditional travel trailer, and privacy can be a concern in crowded campgrounds.
Pop-up travel trailers are a fantastic choice for solo adventurers, couples, and families alike, offering a versatile and budget-friendly entry into the RV lifestyle. If you’re in the market for a camper that combines portability with practicality, exploring the best pop up travel trailers currently available is a smart move.
Discovering the Best Pop-Up Campers for Your Needs
If you’re ready to explore the world of pop-up camping, you’ll want to know about the top models on the market. Here are our recommendations for some of the best pop up travel trailers you can find today, each offering unique features and benefits.
Forest River pop-up camper
Forest River Rockwood Tent Series: Classic Design, Modern Comfort
Forest River is a leading name in the RV industry, and their Rockwood Tent series of pop-up travel trailers showcases their commitment to quality and innovation. Available in both soft-sided and hard-sided configurations, the Rockwood Tent series offers a range of options to suit various camping styles and budgets. The soft-sided Rockwood Tent models, particularly the OTG (Off The Ground) Series and the Freedom Series, are excellent examples of traditional pop-up design with modern enhancements.
The Rockwood Tent OTG Series is designed for simplicity and portability. These smaller pop-up travel trailers, while more spacious and comfortable than a tent, are easy to tow and maneuver. Available in two floorplans, OTG models feature basic but comfortable interiors including a bed and a small dinette, providing a dry and secure shelter elevated off the ground. These units range from 11′ 10″ to 13′ 10″ in length and have a lightweight design with unloaded vehicle weights (UVW) between 1,299 lbs and 1,319 lbs.
In contrast, the Rockwood Tent Freedom Series employs a fold-out pop-up design, offering more living space and features. With six different floorplans, the Freedom Series ranges from 16′ 7″ to 19′ 3″ when expanded and has a UVW between 1,763 lbs and 3,058 lbs. These models boast two sleeping areas, kitchens, and dinettes. Larger floorplans even include amenities like an onboard toilet, a more equipped kitchen with a stove, and air conditioning. All Freedom Series models come with awnings to extend the outdoor living space, and the 2280FT model includes a convenient front storage deck. The Forest River Rockwood Tent series provides a fantastic entry point into pop-up camping, blending affordability with essential features.
Pricing for the Rockwood Tent OTG Series starts at an accessible $8,955, while the Freedom Series starts at $14,599 MSRP.
Forest River Rockwood Hard Side Series: Enhanced Durability and Weather Protection
For campers seeking more robust weather protection and added features, the Forest River Rockwood Hard Side Series is an excellent upgrade. These hard-sided pop-up travel trailers retain the versatility of the soft-sided models but offer significant enhancements. Built-in air conditioning and a furnace provide climate control for comfortable camping in a wider range of temperatures and conditions. The hard sides also contribute to a quieter and more private interior, and the solid roof is ideal for mounting solar panels, skylights, and vents.
The Rockwood Hard Side Series is available in three floorplans, ranging in size from 16′ 4″ to 20′ 4″ with UVWs between 1,924 lbs and 2,728 lbs. Their manageable size and weight make them towable by a variety of vehicles, while still delivering impressive features for the price. All models include a bed, dinette, and kitchenette, with some floorplans adding a stove top and even a toilet. Ample onboard storage, windows, and skylights complete the package, making the Rockwood Hard Side Series a well-rounded choice for pop-up enthusiasts.
Pricing for the Rockwood Hard Side Series starts at $14,995.
Coachmen Clipper pop-up camper
Coachmen Clipper Series: Modern Features, Classic Appeal
While technically under the Forest River umbrella, the Coachmen Clipper series of camping trailers possesses its own distinct identity and design. The Clipper lineup includes teardrop trailers, but their pop-up travel trailers are particularly noteworthy. Coachmen Clipper pop-ups combine a classic aesthetic with thoroughly modern features and innovative material usage for enhanced camper comfort.
The Clipper pop-up series offers several variations, including the Clipper Sport, Clipper LS, and Clipper Classic, across six diverse floorplans. All Clipper models feature insulated bunks for added warmth on cooler nights, and select models offer queen and king-size beds for enhanced sleeping comfort. Most Clipper pop-ups are equipped with a kitchen sink, two-burner stove, and refrigerator. Bench seating and dinettes are standard, and the largest model even includes a slide-out for expanded living space.
Coachmen Clipper pop-up travel trailers range in size from 12′ 2″ to 19′, with UVWs between 1,577 lbs and 2,840 lbs. Prices start at $14,994, making the Clipper series a competitively priced option with a blend of classic charm and modern amenities.
Aliner Evolution pop-up camper
Aliner A-Frame Campers: Hard-Sided Innovation and Off-Road Capability
Aliner specializes in hard-sided pop-up campers with a distinctive A-frame design. Their entire range of A-frame models is impressive, each offering unique features to appeal to different camping preferences. For those seeking an ultralight and compact option, the Scout Lite is an exceptional choice. If more space is desired, the Expedition model delivers. Across the board, Aliner campers are known for their excellent build quality, smart design, and proven reliability.
Two Aliner models stand out for their unique capabilities: the Evolution 15 and the Aliner Amp. The Evolution 15 brings off-road capability to the pop-up travel trailer segment, allowing adventurers to take this 18′ camper to remote destinations. With a GVWR of 3,500 lbs., the Evolution 15 is easily towable and features a robust hard-sided fiberglass body and a 16,000 BTU furnace for excellent weather protection. The interior is surprisingly well-equipped, featuring a kitchen, dinette, convertible couch/bed, a 32″ x 32″ shower, a swivel cassette toilet, and a 35-gallon freshwater tank. Pricing for the Aliner Evolution 15 starts at $56,055.
The Aliner Amp takes off-grid camping to the next level. Building upon the features of the Evolution series, the Amp is enhanced for self-sufficient adventures. It includes a 5kWh EcoFlow battery bank, a 3,600W inverter, and dual 400W solar panels, providing ample power to run onboard appliances for extended periods off-grid. MSRP for the Aliner Amp starts around $40,000. Aliner’s A-frame pop-up travel trailers offer a unique blend of durability, innovation, and off-road readiness.
Opus OP4 pop-up camper
Opus OP4: Rugged Off-Road Design with Inflatable Technology
If your adventures take you off the beaten path, the Opus OP4 is a top contender in the off-road pop-up travel trailer category. This 17′ model is built for rugged terrain with a GVWR of 4,200 lbs. It boasts an impressive 8-foot interior height, sleeps up to six people, and is designed for up to four days of off-grid camping. A standout feature is the fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, complete with a four-burner stove, sink with hot water, a 12V fridge, workspace, and storage. Inside, a U-shaped dinette with a removable table provides a central gathering space.
The Opus OP4 distinguishes itself with its innovative inflatable tent technology. An integrated air pump automatically inflates the tent in under two minutes, creating a stable and weatherproof living space with minimal effort. The tent is constructed from a durable, dual-layer polycotton material that is lightweight, waterproof, UV-resistant, and provides excellent insulation.
Optional upgrades for the OP4 include an outdoor awning, heating and air conditioning, a solar energy system, and an entertainment center. Pricing for the Opus OP4 starts at $32,995. For serious off-road adventurers seeking a comfortable and capable pop-up, the Opus OP4 is a compelling option.
TrailManor 3124 pop-up camper
TrailManor 3124 Series: Spacious Family Camping in a Pop-Up
TrailManor specializes in hard-sided pop-up models that offer the expected benefits of this RV type, but with a focus on spaciousness. For families needing ample room, the TrailManor 3124 Series is a standout choice. This model expands to an impressive 31′ in length, making it one of the largest pop-up travel trailers available, yet it maintains a manageable dry weight of under 3,200 pounds for easier towing and maneuverability.
The 3124 Series is designed to comfortably accommodate up to seven people depending on the chosen floorplan. The main sleeping area features a king-size bed, and all models include an indoor bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower/tub. The kitchen is well-equipped with a three-burner stove, oven, sink, and refrigerator. Floorplan options include a large dinette, a second bed, or a living area with a convertible couch. A 20,000 BTU furnace is standard, and options like solar, an awning, and an electric tongue jack are available. MSRP for the TrailManor 3124 Series starts at $35,707. For large families seeking the spaciousness of a larger RV with the benefits of a pop-up, the TrailManor 3124 is a unique solution.
SylvanSport Go pop-up camper
SylvanSport Go: The Ultimate Versatile and Lightweight Camper
Versatility is the defining characteristic of the SylvanSport Go pop-up travel trailer. This compact yet capable trailer functions as a toy hauler, cargo carrier, and RV all in one. With a GVWR of only 1,650 lbs., the SylvanSport Go is the lightest model in our roundup, making it towable by virtually any vehicle. Despite its small size, the Go is built to be rugged and reliable.
The SylvanSport Go measures just 17′ in length but offers sleeping space for up to four adults and an interior standing height of 6′ 5″. While it lacks some built-in features found in other pop-ups, such as a kitchen or bathroom, it compensates with abundant cargo space for bringing along a portable stove, grill, shower, and other camping essentials. This minimalist design approach allows for extensive customization and is reflected in its attractive starting price of $12,995. The SylvanSport Go is an excellent choice for those prioritizing versatility, lightweight towing, and a customizable camping experience.
Choosing the Best Pop Up Travel Trailer for You
This overview of the best pop up travel trailers currently on the market provides a range of options to consider. From classic tent-style pop-ups to rugged off-road models and spacious family campers, there’s likely a pop-up travel trailer that fits your needs and camping style. The key is to determine your budget, desired features, and how you plan to use your camper. Whether you prioritize affordability, off-grid capability, family space, or lightweight towing, exploring these top pop-up travel trailers is a great first step towards your next camping adventure.
