When choosing a pop-up camper, the first thing to determine is the amount of weight the towing vehicle can haul safely, and the weight of the camper. The towing capacity of the towing vehicle narrows down the pop-up camper choices. The weight information can be found in the vehicle's owner's manual and the pop-up camper's manufacturer information.
To tow a pop-up camper, you will need a hitch attached to the frame of the vehicle, a hitch ball, a safety chain, electrical cables for braking and signaling, and tags and registration for the tent trailer. A sway bar is optional but highly recommended to reduce strain on the towing vehicle and increase safety.
Professional installation for the hitch and electrical wiring is highly recommended. Hitches and sway bars can be purchased separately or as a bundle, depending on the brand selected and price range.
Even though manufacturer specifications for most mini-vans and small SUV's state the towing capacity of a vehicle clearly, some owner's manuals specifically state that towing is not recommended. This is due to the fact that the transmission, brakes, and suspension installed were not designed to perform towing with that particular model.
