Because pop-up campers come in many types and sizes, almost every family can find a pop-up that serves their needs.
But, of course, before purchasing a trailer, you need to know its dimensions and whether it’ll be too small or too big for you. However, getting the measurements right at the first go is often easier said than done.
In this article, we’ll discuss all the crucial pop-up camper dimensions every owner needs to know.
Let’s get started!
What Are the Pop-up Camper Dimensions I Need to Know?
Although it might seem convenient, it’s best not to rely only on your trailer box size listed by the manufacturer. These are the measurements of your camper without sliding out the beds or opening the retractable roof.
They’re basically the dimensions of your camper while it’s folded up to a box, hence the name.
While the box size is helpful sometimes, it doesn’t give you the measurements of your campers when it’s fully opened.
As a result, you don’t get an idea of the exact living space that will be available for you when you set up your camper.
So, here are the essential dimensions you need to know:
1. Pop-up Camper Interior Length
To know the interior length of your pop-up camper, you need to open up the roof first. Then, you can measure the distance from the front to the back wall.
Another way to measure the interior length of your camper is by multiplying the base length by two. The reason is that pop-up campers usually expand to about double their box length when they’re fully opened.
For example, a 10′ box pop-up camper can unfold to about 20′.
Most pop-up campers on the market today are about 8′ to 16′ in box size. Which means they’re about 16′ to 32′ when they’re fully set up.
2. Pop-up Camper Interior Width
Pop-up campers aren’t as wide as other types of RVs, and they’re usually about 7′.
The width of your pop-up trailer will vary depending on whether you have the slides out or not. Odds are, both measurements will come in handy, so go over it twice and jot the numbers down.
3. Pop-up Camper Height
Pop-up campers aren’t usually as high as other trailer types, which makes sense since their whole point is to be compact.
With that being said, there are pop-up campers that are considered high compared to others. They’re called high-wall campers, and they use canvas roofs that expand upwards to provide you with more interior space.
The best examples of these types of campers are Forest River Rockwood and Flagstaff.
4. Pop-up Camper Exterior Dimensions
When taking the external length of your pop-up camper, you shouldn’t include any attached sections, like the tongue.
As for the exterior width, it’ll differ depending on whether you have the slides out or not. Once again, it’s recommended to measure it twice with the slides opened and closed.
Why Is It Important to Know the Dimensions of Your Pop-up Camper?
While it might seem like too much hassle initially, knowing all these dimensions is more important than most people originally anticipated.
Here are some common applications where you’ll need the camper’s exact measurements:
Getting to Know Your Living Space
Of course, one of the first factors to keep in mind is the interior dimensions. It’s important to know how much living space will be available for you and your family before you commit to a camper.
From here, you can plan how you’re going to manage your sleeping arrangements and storage space.
Adhering to Driving Safety Regulations
There’s a reason why we measure the exterior dimensions of our pop-up campers, and it is for our safety while driving.
Knowing how much space your pop-up camper will take on the road is essential. Plus, you need to know the length to help you with turning.
Besides, knowing the exterior length will help you figure out if you can tow your pop-up to your vehicle or not. If your trailer is too long, you might be unable to haul it to your car.
Knowing the height is also crucial, especially if you expect to drive below a bridge or in a tunnel. Keep in mind that some areas have restrictions on the maximum vehicle height to prevent accidents, depending on where you live.
Purchasing a Cover
To protect your pop-up camper from harsh weather and wear, getting a cover is always a valid option.
In this case, the box size will do, but you might want to take the measurements, including the trailer, if you want to cover it too.
Fitting in a Storage Space
While a pop-up camper is, by default, compact, it’s still essential to figure out where you’ll store it when you’re not using it.
This is particularly true if you have a camper that is on the larger side. In this case, you may need to prepare offsite storage for your trailer, and odds are, you’ll need your camper’s full exterior dimensions.
Even if you’re storing it in your garage or driveway, your camper’s dimensions will come in handy just to see if it will fit.
Planning a Stay at a Campsite
It may not always be okay to camp in a random forest or grassland for safety and legal purposes. That’s why planning a stay at a camp is essential.
The planning process also includes knowing the dimensions of your camper, especially if the site requires booking beforehand.
Most likely, you won’t have any issues with the convenient little pop-up campers, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Wrap Up
Pop-up camper dimensions might seem a little bit confusing at first. However, with the help of our guide, a few minutes of your time, and a measuring tape, you’ll be able to get all the needed numbers.
This way, you’ll have all the information needed when requesting a place on a campsite, purchasing a cover, arranging your interior layout, or even storing the trailer away!