Pop-up campers are the best types of RVs if you want to camp and adventure on a budget. Pop-up campers are often considered one of the most affordable, lightweight, and maneuverable types of RVs on the market. They’re also very easy to tow, set up, and break down when you leave the campground. Need we say more?
As with all types of RVs, there are many different types and brands of pop-up campers. When shopping for a pop-up camper, you’ll have the choice of different layouts, amenities, features, and brands, too.
Let’s take a look at some of the leading pop-up camper brands on the market–but first, let’s define a pop-up camper.
What is Considered a Pop-up Camper?
Pop-up campers have a very distinct shape, design, and overall look. Defined briefly, a pop-up camper is any type of camper that can collapse on itself, which is necessary while the camper is in transit. It must then be able to extend upward (aka, “pop-up”).
Traditionally, pop-up campers have also been known as “tent campers.” This is because the portion of the camper that pops up is often made of soft canvas, much like a tent. Most pop-ups also have canvas sections in the front and back ends of the camper that fold out to create more living space.
However, the term “tent” camper no longer applies to all pop-ups because some pop-up campers are hard-sided. Instead of having soft canvas sides that extend, hard-sided pop-ups have rigid walls that fold down.
Regardless of what type of pop-up camper you choose, they are very compact, easy to tow, and easy to store. Note that you can haul most pop-ups with a mid-sized car or small SUV, and you can store them in a traditional one-car garage.
Top Pop-Up Camper Brands on the Market
As with other types of RVs, certain pop-up camper brands are more popular than others. This is often because of better layouts, better sleeping accommodations, and superior aesthetics.
Here’s a quick look at the top pop-up camper brands in the industry.
Forest River
| Average Price Range | Budget-Friendly, Mid-Tier, or Luxury | What the Brand is Known For | Most Popular Model |
| $15,000 – $30,000 | Mid-Tier | A wide selection of options | Forest River Rockwood |
It’s tough to think of pop-up camper manufacturers without thinking about Forest River. In addition to producing some of the best and most popular pop-up campers in the industry, they also offer the widest selection.
Whether you’re looking for hard-sided campers, family-friendly options, or small and traditional tent campers, Forest River has them all. You can also rest assured that their pop-ups are constructed with the same quality materials and components that Forest River uses for all their RVs.
Forest River’s top three pop-up camper models:
Coachmen
| Average Price Range | Budget-Friendly, Mid-Tier, or Luxury | What the Brand is Known For | Most Popular Model |
| $12,000 – $22,000 | Budget-Friendly | Affordable and compact pop-ups | Coachmen Clipper Classic |
While Forest River may be the top pop-up camper brand in the industry, Coachmen is certainly a close second. In fact, Coachmen is actually a subsidiary of Forest River, but they are managed and operate as a separate entity.
All Coachmen pop-up campers are part of the Clipper series. However, they offer three basic Clipper models, not to mention several different layouts and floorplans for each option.
As with Forest River, Coachmen has a little something for everyone, ranging from classic pop-up layouts to innovative features, like a single drop-down side and even a slide-out.
Here are the top three Coachmen Clipper campers:
Aliner
| Average Price Range | Budget-Friendly, Mid-Tier, or Luxury | What the Brand is Known For | Most Popular Model |
| $20,000 – $40,000 | Mid-tier to Luxury | Hard-sided A frame pop-ups | Aliner Expedition |
Unlike the other pop-up camper brands in this article, Aliner specializes exclusively in pop-up campers. Additionally, they only design hard-sided pop-up campers in the shape of an A-frame. Combine that with their classic yellow and green color palette, and Aliners are one of the most easily recognizable campers on the market.
Their hard sides make Aliners a great option for traveling through national parks and other areas where you may encounter wild animals. Additionally, Aliners are very easy to set up and collapse, and you can complete the process in a matter of minutes.
Here are their top three models:
Best Pop-Up Campers for Different Needs
If you’re looking for a pop-up camper for specific needs, there are plenty of options to choose from. From family-friendly oversized campers to compact models for one to two people, there’s something for everyone!
Family-Friendly Pop-Up Campers
Most pop-up campers are fairly small and compact, some of them are more family-friendly than others. In addition to plenty of living space, family-friendly pop-ups should also have enough storage space and sleeping space for the whole family.
| Brand Name | Model name | Starting Price | Top Amenities | Sleeping Capacity |
| Aliner | Aliner Expedition | $31,500 | Hard sides, furnace, water heater, wet bath | 4 |
| Forest River | Forest River Flagstaff Sports Enthusiast Package | $20,000 | Ample storage, full kitchen, outdoor griddle | 7 |
| Trail Manor | Trail Manor 2518 Series | $30,000 | King bed, exterior storage, wet bath, full kitchen | 6 |
Compact Campers for Couples
If you’re only camping with you and one other person, there’s no need for tons of living and sleeping space. Instead, you’re likely looking for something that’s a step up from tent camping that is also lightweight and easy to tow. Here are some of the best options for couples:
| Brand Name | Model name | Starting Price | Top Amenities | Sleeping Capacity |
| Sylvan | Sylvan Sport Go | $15,000 | Roof rack, extremely lightweight, off-road ready | 2 |
| Aliner | Aliner Classic | $25,000 | Off-road capabilities, hard sides, microwave, mini-fridge | 2-4 |
| Opus | Opus Camper Lite | $22,000 | Off-road capabilities, full kitchen, fridge, queen bed, lounge area | 2 |
Budget-Friendly Options
If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford a large travel trailer with tons of amenities, there are plenty of budget-friendly pop-ups. Here are some of the best and most affordable pop-up travel trailers on the market:
| Brand Name | Model name | Starting Price | Top Amenities | Sleeping Capacity |
| Sylvan Sport | Sylvan Sport TrailLOFT | $5,500 | Towable with any vehicle, easy setup, cargo trailer below | 2 |
| Aliner | Aliner Scout Lite | $11,000 | Hard sides, easy setup, multiple skylights | 2 |
| Jayco | Jayco Jay Sport 2019 | $10,200 | Ample living space, kitchen with refrigerator, exterior stovetop | 6 |
Final Thoughts
While pop-up campers are smaller and more compact than other types of RVs, they’re still wider and longer than the average car. Therefore, if you have a standard one-car garage, it may not be large enough to accommodate your new pop-up camper.
If you’re looking for safe, affordable, and climate-controlled storage for your pop-up travel trailer, consider Neighbor. As a peer-to-peer storage marketplace, Neighbor has hundreds of RV storage locations throughout the country, maybe even in your own neighborhood!
