You can expect the average pop up camper cost to be about $10,000 to $20,000 new. If you buy a used model that figure lowers to about $7,000 and can go as low as $2,500.
Or, if you prefer to rent, according to Outdoorsy, an RV rental marketplace, pop up trailers rent for an average of $81 per night.
In this post, we’ll cover all the factors that affect: how much is a pop up camper?
Cost of Ownership
Whether you go new or used, the cost of ownership will be an expense to consider. You may have a warranty with a dealership, financing costs, maintenance, and everything else on this list.
Here’s a quick breakdown for analyzing the cost of owning a pop-up camper:
| Product | Average Initial Costs | Average Yearly Costs |
| Pop Up Camper | $15,000 new, $7,000 used | |
| Financing | $3,149.25 at 15% down of $20,995 new
$158/mo at 6.74% APR & 180 Months |
$1,896/yr |
| Maintenance/Repairs | $100 (tools or gear) | $100 – $200 |
| Insurance | <$100 per month | <$1200 |
| Campsites/Campgrounds | $20 – $40 per night | $360 (Four 3-day weekend trips at $30/night) |
| Storage | $0 – $50 per month | $0 – $600 |
| Tow Vehicle | $100 – $300 (trailer hitch) |
Purchase Price
As stated before, the average purchase price of a new pop up camper is about $10,000 to $20,000, while a used one can be under $10,000. The more you can hunt around, the better deal you’ll find. While it’s not always the case, it increases your odds.
Financing
While paying cash is typically the best option for a pop-up camper, you can go for dealer financing. This will cost you more money in interest since most interest rates for RVs hover around 5% to 7%, depending on credit and rates.
For example, if you were to purchase a brand new pop up camper from Camping World, for $20,995, the monthly payment would be $158/mo. *Monthly payment of $158/mo based on 15% down, 6.74% APR & 180 Months. (Financing is variable to change, this is the rate as of the writing of this post).
Of course, it’s up to you if you want to go for financing and debt with a monthly payment.
Over time the pop up will also depreciate, lowering its overall value, which leads to the next point.
Depreciation
RV depreciation is very similar to the depreciation you see on most vehicles and cars. The value is at its peak at the dealership lot and slowly tapers off after those first few years of use. However, you do typically get dealer warranties if anything is wrong with your brand new camper.
The best way to beat this steep curve is to buy used. You would forfeit dealership warranties, yet many manufacturers have some additional coverage for certain issues that may arise. Not only that, but you save so much on the purchase price that any small maintenance or repairs are marginal (as long as you don’t buy a lemon or something in terrible condition).
Maintenance and Repairs
No matter what warranty you get when you purchase your pop up camper, it will eventually run out. When that time comes it’s important to be prepared for the wear and tear a trailer will go through.
The common areas that may need maintenance to budget for are your tires, overhead lights, door handles, and any latches. These are the “high-traffic” areas that get the most use on a regular basis. It’s also a good idea to keep your pop up free of moisture and dry when closing up the canvas material to avoid mold.
Pop up repair information can be challenging to come by even if at your local RV dealer. Yet, pretty much every piece can be fixed with the help of the internet.
One great site to check for pop up parts is Coleman Pop Up Parts.
Insurance
Pop up camper insurance is hands down much less expensive than what it would be for a motorhome.
According to USAA, a premium for a pop-up camper can cost under $100. Most states require minimum liability coverage, so it’s a must-have to avoid any issues with the law.
Tow Vehicle
The vehicle you drive will affect how large of a pop up camper you can tow. Pop-ups weigh about 2,000 lbs dry weight without any cargo.
If you already own a vehicle that can tow a pop up, then you’ll have additional use from hauling the camper on weekend trips. Additionally, you’ll need a hitch package which can be a one-time cost of about $100 to $300 depending on your vehicle.
Campsites and Campgrounds
Once you reach your destination you’ll need to pay for the campsite. This cost varies depending on if you’re staying at state and national parks, private campgrounds, or even off-grid. Off-grid is the cheapest option of course, but you won’t have the same amenities you can expect at a campground like water, electricity, and sewer.
Campgrounds tend to be sectioned off with areas designated for certain length RVs, trailers, and those tent camping. With a pop up camper, you can sometimes get away with paying less by staying in a mixed tent camping area since your trailer is so small. Or, if you only need the water and electric hookups.
The average price you pay per night at a campsite typically ranges from $20 to $40.
Storage
Pop up trailers typically have a shorter season than other travel trailers and motorhomes, which means they’ll be in storage for the rest of the time.
If you’ve got the space, you can store a pop up camper in your garage since they pop down and will fit underneath the standard 7-foot tall garage door size.
However, if don’t have room, you’ll either need to park it behind a fence (if you’re in an HOA neighborhood) or pay to store it at a lot.
RV storage lots charge based on the length and indoor vs outdoor. You can expect indoor storage to range from $100 to $200 a month and outdoor storage to be between $30 to $50 a month.
Cost of Renting
Renting is the lowest cost of entry way to try out camping. You have much less commitment to the experience. However, it’s important to note that there is some competition in renting RVs for specific seasons and weekends. You may even have to book months in advance to get the days you want. This also goes the same when it comes to reserving your campsites for that matter.
Rental Marketplaces
There are many places to rent an RV. These marketplaces function similar to Airbnb with private home rentals.
Some of the most popular RV rental sites include:
How To Get a Good Deal on a Pop Up Camper
Here are the best ways to find and get a good deal of a pop up camper.
Find a Used One that Needs to Go
Year after year people buy things they think they’ll use and it ends up going to waste, or they can’t afford it. This is a great way to find a deal on something that needs to go. People can liquidate their purchase at half the price they paid a couple of years ago if they need to sell it.
Check used marketplace sites like:
- Craigslist
- OfferUp
- Facebook Marketplace
You can find trailers that were lightly used and only a few years old that’s in good condition. Keep your eye out online and when a deal pops up (get it) you’ll want to have cash ready to spring on the opportunity. Make sure to inspect the trailer and verify there aren’t any red flags before you buy it.
RV Tradeshow Deals
One secret in the RV industry is going to a tradeshow event if you can.
The Florida RV SuperShow from the trade association happens in Tampa, FL, which is a hub for many RV sales with all the travel, families, and retirees in the area. All the major manufacturers attend this event to showcase their new models for the year.
The RV salespeople are ready to make a deal on new models at steep discounts much lower than the “sticker price”.
Rental Income
In addition to purchasing a pop up camper for a good deal, you can also rent it out like a house.
This income-producing asset can be listed on RV marketplaces for rent. According to Outdoorsy, you could bring in estimated earnings on a 1 to 2 week rental of $560 – $1,120 depending on how often people rent your pop up.
That’s not a bad return if you want to offset the cost of ownership.
List Your RV on Outdoorsy to earn money renting your RV when you’re not using it!
Of course, if you choose to rent out your pop up camper, that does subject it to additional wear and tear from renters. Outdoorsy and RVShare also include insurance coverage with their platform to cover any catastrophic damage.
To Conclude
Pop up campers are a fantastic choice for an entry-level RV with a bit more amenities than tent camping. You can also tow and store more gear inside the trailer than what you could fit inside your truck or car. Camping is an economically friendly vacation option for those who still want to enjoy new places without breaking the bank.