A roof rack on pop up camper would suit you best, if you going camping to enjoy the great outdoors in your camper. its such an outdoor activity that you will probably carry a lot of stuff.
In this article, we discuss everything you need to know regarding choosing and installing a pop up camper roof rack.
What Is Pop Up Camper?
For many of you who might not know what exactly is a pop up camper, it’s a type of towed vehicle that can be collapsed for easy storage and transport.
When set up, this type of trailer provides a large amount of interior space when compared to its size when collapsed. Its relatively affordable price too makes it a popular choice for many people.
The pop up camper is a great choice for getting extra interior space while camping.
But what if you need more space while on the road heading to your destination, Can You Install Roof Rack On Pop Up Camper? In short: you can install a roof rack on pop up camper but there are many things to consider.
How Much Weight Can A Pop Up Camper Withstand?
Roof racks go on the top of your camper, first thing you should consider is how much weight can it support without failing or causing trouble on the trip.
Most mid-range campers can support at least 300 pounds, but it’s always better to refer to the owner’s manual.
If you got a high-end camper it might be able to support up to 500 pounds, also you need to check how much weight the axle can hold as well, which can be upgraded to meet the criteria you looking for.
So placing stuffs like bikes, cruisers, and even mountain bikes on top should not exceed the limits of the camper’s roof.
How To Choose The Correct Pop Up Camper Roof Rack?
There are many things to consider here as well, such as if your pop up camper has built-in rails in the roof or not, also you might need to adjust a few things before actually mounting your pop up camper roof rack.
Space and dimensions are crucial here, it impacts the type and brand of the after-market roof rack you would buy.
From my research I hardly found any campers with roof rails or tie-downs built-in, you can DIY and drill some holes and make some ties no big deal it should work fine.
How To Install Roof Rack On Pop Up Camper?
Before starting we should mention that a pop up camper roof rack installation process is time and effort-consuming.
It also requires certain equipment and expertise. But its doable so no worries
First off, start by cleaning the camper roof and side rails, wiping them with a towel should be enough.
Secondly, it’s recommended to check the owner’s manual and do the proper measurements and pick the desired location before drilling any holes, because if you drill in the wrong spot, there is no going back now, so take your time.
Third, check your camper roof and sides if it’s sturdy enough or if it needs some reinforcements, you can always add a steel frame to support your camper, but for the most part, it’s not necessary.
Fourth, start by drilling holes through the roof or the side rails (depending on the brand you work with) that line up with the holes on the feet of the roof rack, you probably would need a 1/8-inch drill bit in most cases.
Fifth, using the included hardware, tighten the crossbars with the rack’s feet and then bolt the feet to the camper to secure the roof rack.
Conclusion
Here you go, you have installed a roof rack on pop up camper, you can mount whatever you like on top taking into account the weight of course, and always remember to tighten your packages before hitting the road for your next adventure.
Furthermore, if you desire a premier feel then a Thule roof rack for pop up camper is the way to go, check our article.
Thinking of adding some extra useful attachments to your pop up camper roof rack, like a Bike Rack? make sure to take a look at our article.
In case you are looking for a camper, we might be able to help if you check our 3 Best Pop Up Camper Brands To Buy, or you should consider renting a pop up camper first if you are still new to the camping world, don’t worry we got you covered as well, check our Pop up camper renting guide.
If you considering camping on chilly days, you might like to check our article The 5 Best Ways To Heat Up A Pop Up Camper, and 5 Best Pop Up Camper Waterproofing Tips as waterproofing helps if it gets rainy.
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