How to Tow a Pop-Up Camper

Make sure all lights are working on the popup prior to towing.

Popup camper trailers compress into a truncated hard shell. This design reduces wind resistance when towing the camper. To two the camper properly requires practice and attention to detail. Before towing your popup camper make sure the registration is up to date, the license plates are fixed to the back of the camper and all insurance regulations are met. Practice towing the popup in an empty parking lot to get a feel for the extra weight behind your towing vehicle.

Things You'll Need

• Tow-hitch equipped vehicle
• Side mirrors
• Road pylons

Instructions

1. Remove the lock-pin from the receiver hitch on the rear of the towing vehicle. Back the vehicle towards the receiving bar on the popup. Assign an assistant to help back you up using a series of pre-determined hand signals.

2. Connect the male and female ends of the tow-hitch system. This entails pushing the smaller rectangular tube on the popup into the female receiving end on the tow vehicle's tow-hitch. Connect the chains to the tow vehicle from the popup, and push the lock pin through the lock-pin holes, securing the popup to the tow hitch and vehicle.

3. Connect the light/brake light plugs via the male and female connector plugs between the popup and the vehicle. Assign the assistant a position behind the trailer. Sit in the vehicle and press the brake pedal to check if the lights on the trailer work. Have the assistant confirm. Turn the signal lights on and all other lighting systems to ensure the connections on the trailer work.

4. Sit in the driver seat of the tow vehicle and adjust the side-view mirrors so you see the end of the popup. Drive to an empty parking lot with the popup in tow. Set up the pylons to practice turning, backing up and precision in towing the popup.

References

• RV Towing Tips
• Edmunds: How to Tow a Trailer