How Much Do Pop Up Campers Weigh

Buying a pop up camper was one of the things I had on my bucket list for a long time. 

And a few years ago, my husband gifted me one for my birthday! Needless to say, my happiness knew no bounds. 

Excited as I was, I started researching all the dos and don’ts, and it was then that the question of weighing the camper cropped up. This was one of the essential factors concerning the loading of the camper before each trip. 

But I couldn’t find much information in the manuals received with the trailer regarding its weight. However, thankfully, my husband got in touch with his friend Rupert, who is an expert in dealing with all kinds of trailers, and he agreed to help me out. 

In a few days, he visited us and explained all the necessary details associated with weighing a pop up camper. And since then, I’ve had no more confusion and am able to pack my trailer properly while complying with all the requirements. 

Hey there! This is Stacy, and today I’m here to tell you all about how much do pop up campers weigh. So, let’s start the ride!

How Much Do Pop Up Campers Weigh

First of all, you should keep in mind that pop up campers are available in a range of sizes and consist of different amenities. That’s why these travel trailers can weigh as much as 4500 lbs or as little as 600 lbs based on the structural components. However, on average, these trailers can weigh about 2000 lbs. 

At this point, it might seem slightly confusing to you. Trust me; I had the same confusion initially. But as I learned the nitty-gritty about how you can figure out the weight, all of it became crystal-clear to me. So, stay with me till the end, and you’ll see the difference for yourself! 

Knowing the average weight of a pop up camper is not the be-all-and-end-all of the question. You need to figure out the actual weight of the pop up camper you’re looking to purchase or have purchased, plus its towing capacity, which consists of several components. So, let’s look at each of these briefly. 

Weight Ratings For Pop Up Campers

A. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

This is the total permissible weight of the vehicle after it’s loaded. Thus, this weight includes that of the cargo and the liquids in the holding tank. Note that the manufacturer of the trailer recommends the GVWR to ensure safe operation. As such, Rupert cautioned me several times never to exceed this number while leading the vehicle. 

B. Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW)

As the term suggests, this is the weight of the pop up camper after it’s unloaded, that is, with no water in its tanks and no belongings. I noted the weight right after I brought it home, and I’d suggest you do the same too to make things easier. This rating is also referred to as “dry weight” owing to the fact that the tanks are empty. 

C. Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

This is actually the maximum weight that the axle of your pop up camper can handle. Remember, this is the weight that your camper can carry safely, which is why it’s one of the most crucial aspects associated with the safety of the vehicle. 

D. Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC)

This term tells you the weight your pop up camper can hold while it is being towed, that is, pulled along with a car or some other vehicle. Learning from Rupert’s advice, I always weigh the cargo before it’s kept in the camper whenever I start packing for my trips. This way, I can verify whether the weight was lower than or equal to the Cargo Carrying Capacity.

Are Trailer-Brakes Needed For Pop Up Campers?

Trailer brakes are generally required for pop up campers that weigh more than 3000 lbs. However, if you plan to tow the trailer while it’s carrying a weight of 2500 lbs., using trailer brakes is an important precaution to take. 

This is why I needed these brakes for one of my trips when I had packed a lot of stuff on the trailer, making it weigh more than 2500 lbs. As such, I could control the stopping and braking of the vehicle in a much better way whenever I was driving amid a lot of traffic. 

Is It Difficult To Tow A Pop Up Camper?

This might sound surprising but pop up campers are actually the easiest to tow among all the RVs you can think of. These campers rest on one axle, and the factor that proves most beneficial for the towing process is the height. Since you can fold down a pop up camper for travel, you can still see the rear portion through the back window or the rear-view mirror. As such, towing a pop-up camper is a breeze. 

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