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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Pop-up Camper vs A-Frame: Read Before You Buy
Regarding camping, the choice of accommodation can significantly impact your experience. Two popular options are the popup camper and the A-frame camper. Both offer unique benefits and potential drawbacks, and choosing between them depends mainly on personal preference and specific camping needs.
- Weight and Towing: Popup campers are lighter.
- Setup Process: A-frames are more straightforward and quicker to set up.
- Durability: A-frames are more durable with hard-sided construction.
- Price: Popup campers are more budget-friendly than A-frame.
- Space and Comfort: A-frames offer more headroom and feel more spacious.
- Storage: A-frames, being hard-sided, offer more secure storage.
If you enjoy camping with a tent but want something that gives you a couple more amenities, then getting a popup camper can be a great move.
It is also an excellent option if you want something you can tow without upgrading your current vehicle to a truck.
For most people, a popup camper is the most affordable route to getting an RV. You get quite a lot of value when you purchase one of the most economical RVs.
When it comes to a popup camper, you have two different styles.
You have your typical soft side popup camper, which has its roof material made from canvas, and the A-frame camper, named after the shape its roof makes when raised and stretched out.
To the surprise of most, the A-frame camper is a type of popup camper. It isn’t quite as popular as other forms of popups but that does not mean it does not have its fans.
Compared to popup campers utilizing pop-out sections and canvas sides, A-frames are rigid. They get their name from the shape they make when they are set up.
While they are rigid when set up, they share the popup camper’s characteristics in that they can be folded down for storage and transport.
Here are a few reasons why you should pick a popup camper
Popup Camper Vs A-Frame: Popup Campers Are Inexpensive
Considering just how many RVs are available for purchase, a popup camper is the most inexpensive option. New popup campers can be purchased at affordable alongside incentives.
The average price of a brand-new popup camper is $16,000, with a low model costing $9,000 and a high-end one with more amenities costing $20,000 or more.
The preowned market for popup campers is also affordable, as purchasing a preowned camper in excellent condition for under $8,000 is possible.
A popup camper is seemingly inexpensive compared to other RVs because of its simplicity. This ensures that costs remain low. However, that does not mean you can’t have amenities.
Most popup campers tend to have two queen-sized beds, a dinette, and a decently-sized kitchen with one sink. This is the minimum, as some popup campers even come with a wet bath.
The number of amenities and features you get typically depends on how large the camper is and what brand fits into the chosen floorplan.
Popup campers with larger floorplans tend to have more amenities and features, resulting in the manufacturer charging a higher price.
Popup Campers Are Lightweight
A popup camper is a light simply because of the way it was designed. Most popup campers weigh under 3,000 pounds, with some even under 2,500 pounds.
This means that most people do not need to purchase a different vehicle to tow their camper, as the low weight of a popup camper makes their current vehicle capable.
with other forms of trailers, such as a travel trailer or fifth-wheel, you have to consider their weight and your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity before you can make a purchase.
For certain RVs, you might need to upgrade to a full-size or heavy-duty pickup truck before you can tow it.
Nevertheless, a popup camper can be towed by just about any vehicle. Your SUV, crossover, minivan, or midsize truck.
Popup Campers Are Maneuverable and Small
Another advantage of a popup camper is that it is maneuverable and small. This is especially true when it is folded away, ready to be hitched to a vehicle.
Popup campers, by design, can seamlessly fit into smaller campsites, which other RVs won’t be able to.
This advantage offers additional parking spaces and new locations that other campers could not.
If you ask anyone who has ever towed a fifth wheel or any travel trailer, they will tell you that they can’t see anything out the back, making reversing a tough job.
With the popup camper, you have no such thing. Given that the camper can be collapsed into a flat box, you are bound to feel much more comfortable towing it along than other campers.
Here are a few advantages of an A-frame camper
An A-frame Camper does not Cost as much as You Think
Suppose a general theme is shared by both the A-frame and the popup camper. In that case, both campers are inexpensive and excellent choices for individuals looking to start their RVing lifestyle inexpensively.
To this end, a brand-new A-frame camper will likely cost anything from $11,000 to $20,000. A preowned camper in excellent condition will cost anything from $5,000 to $16,000.
A-frames Have A Lightweight Design
A lightweight camper can save you a lot of money in numerous ways. First of all, when your camper is light, the required towing capacity of your automobile is lower as well.
This means you do not have to purchase a truck when you get an A-frame, as you are bound to find light enough for your car to tow it. This means you avoid the additional expense of getting a larger car or renting one.
Fuel efficiency also comes to mind when you get an A-frame. Since it can seamlessly fold into a flat trailer, it is less likely to cause your engine to work harder to tow it.
This reduced effort adds up and can translate into saving a bit of money while camping.
An A-frame Camper Offers Convenience
If there were two significant reasons why RVers selected a-frames over any other type of campers, it’s down to ease of storage and towing.
Like other popup campers, even the smallest A-frames are light enough to be towed by a regular car. Larger ones will require an SUV or a light truck rather than a full-sized truck.
A-frames are also much easier to maneuver compared to typical travel trailers. This means they can easily be put in tight spaces and stored in a garage.
A large draw of this type of camper is down to its convenience when stored.
A-frames Offer a Lot of Comfort
Compared to popup campers, A-frames can be comfortably used all year. While it is possible to go camping in the wintertime using a popup camper, you are bound to be uncomfortable as the camper is not insulated, causing heat to dissipate via the canvas quickly.
A-frames, on the other hand, do not have any such complaints, and this is due to the rigid sides. This feature ensures that they capture heat better, locking it in for longer so you can feel comfortable and reduce your need for heating.
What Size Frame is a Popup Camper?
The size frame of a popup camper varies based on the model and design, but most typically falls within specific measurements.
Most popup campers feature a width between 7 feet (2.1 m) and 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m), providing ample space for comfortable travel and accommodation.
Regarding height, these campers generally measure between 4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m) and 5 feet (1.5 m) when closed. However, “high wall” models are an exception to this standard height, being taller to accommodate more space.
Final Words
The comparison between a Popup Camper Vs A-Frame holds significant importance for outdoor enthusiasts planning their next camping trip. Regarding weight and towing, popup campers have a clear advantage due to their lighter weight.
This makes them easier to tow, especially for smaller vehicles, which could result in fuel savings. However, regarding the setup process, A-frames are the winners with their more straightforward and quicker setup mechanism, saving campers valuable time and effort at the campsite.
Regarding durability, A-frames, with their hard-sided construction, are more robust and resistant to harsh weather conditions.
However, this durability comes at a higher price point, making popup campers a more budget-friendly option. For those prioritizing space and comfort, A-frames offer more headroom and a spacious feel to enhance the camping experience.
Lastly, storage considerations also favor A-frames because their hard-sided structure offers more secure storage space. What you eventually choose depends on your preference.
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