How to Inspect a Used Pop-Up Camper

Learn how to be confident in your used camper purchase! Simon loves pop-up campers, and has learned from a major DIY project how they are built inside and out. He's been camping in pop-ups (aka tent trailers) for over 3 decades. He runs through his priority list of what and how to inspect a used pop-up camper before you buy, what can cost the most time and money, and which things you really don't need to worry about. He also talks about the gear that you need to bring with you for a proper inspection, and a sweet tip on how to upgrade your camper for free!

DOWNLOAD SIMON'S INSPECTION CHECKLIST:

Don't inspect a camper without these:

In this video:
0:00 - Why Simon has experience with Pop-Up Campers
0:55 - Roof Inspection
4:29 - Lift / Winch System
5:57 - Roof Corners and End Boards
7:44 - Canvas (Perforations, Stains and Mildew)
9:53 - Ceiling
11:28 - Floor
12:18 - A/C Unit
13:35 - Sinks and Plumbing
14:19 - Fridge
15:16 - Gas Appliances (Stove, Furnace)
17:53 - What to bring with you for inspection
19:26 - Wheels and Bearings
21:35 - Upgrade your camper for free

[stuartcrawford]

I just watched your video before potentially purchasing a 20 K pop up.Everything was going well with the inspection and the small ti.e sales guy was a nice as pie until I took your advice and checked a partially popped up the roof and checked underneath at the corners
One corner was rotted out and had mold with the along the width of the wood board that was a deal breaker for me.once I brought it to the attention of the sales guy his demeanor changed and he didn't want to sell me the trailer lol...thanks alot for your valuable experience you saved me from buying a lemon . Excellent video

[PsychClinicianLatashaCar-eiwz]

We just bought our first one today, we saw the pictures online but when the gentleman pulled up he let us know he could not open it by himself! SMH we made sure to get a bill of sale and his ID I am also in law so I wanted to cover my bases. However, It’s a 2000 Viking epic and it’s looks really taken care of just not sure how to put on the cables he states he needed and but he didn’t have time to get it done and it was only for fishing but he did not end up keeping it but for two weeks! He showed me his bill of sale from the lady he brought it from because I asked I didn’t want to loose out on funds! We really love this investment and appreciate this video because it’s much we don’t know about upgrading our camper! Taking notes hope we are gonna be ok with doing it ourself!

[christophermiller]

I’ve been doing a lot of research (yeah, online, rigorous, I know) and I have settled on a 1993 Jayco 1006. First time pop-up camper owner. Looking for a little bit of a DYI. Paying $350. Has some work. I found your video and….Dude….thank you. Thank you for the information. Thank you for the honesty. Thank you for the humor. 48 year old man here, not sure if you would even get these comments, but Thanks man, Thanks.

[debbiestarnes]

I’m a retired (RN) senior searching for a pup…very little knowledge of them. Been looking on FB marketplace, joined a few respective groups to pups. Found a link to this vid in a FB group (Gently Used Pop-up Campers for Sale). I’ve picked up minute pieces of info along the way until the link to your vid. Watched and feel I’ve gained much education and confidence going forward. I definitely hit the “👍” and subscribed. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience.

[juliaayers]

As a young woman trying to figure out what to look for, this was the most useful video I watched! Thanks a lot😀

[MrSquishyD]

If you linked to a little checklist, I think this would an PERFECT video for those of us considering getting a camper. Thank you for clearly explaining what is fixable and what is a waste of time.

[dgale]

I like the last tip the most. Thank you

[aaronesselman]

i bought my first pop up and i had to replace the wood side panels. camper repair shop wanted 3200.00 to replace. Did it myself and was not i watched a guy on youtube replace sides. but now its like a new camper. i learned real fast about campers lol i wished i would have watched your vid first lol Thanks

[donoimdono]

I wish I had seen this BEFORE I purchased my trailer. after watching this video, I inspected mine and saw I got a good deal and it's in really good condition.

Thank you for the insight and a great video.

[redpine]

We have that frig. It takes a while to get cool on propane, but it works well enough that we keep our meats in it so they don't end up soaked in water in a cooler. We've never had a problem. When the kids were babies, we kept the baby bottles cool in it. Very handy at night.

[hipkick]

Thanks a lot Simon! Your video helped us to avoid some bad buys! Saw a nice Forest River and we had told the owner we'd buy it, but we just wanted to see the roof (since the trailer was popped up when we arrived)... guess what? Rotten wood in front and back, and caulking was old and dry with plenty of holes! I have watched several other videos but this one was honestly the most helpful, purely based on the most important checks when inspecting a trailer.

[notsofatmike]

The fridge in my '88 pop up is exactly the same as yours and is excellent. I have to turn it off at night when it's a bit cooler because it is too good and freezes my food. Even on a 35C day it performs pretty well. Those 3 way fridges have to be near perfectly level to work properly. Next time you camp, get everything as level as possible and try it again or maybe have it looked at if that doesn't improve it.

[deeprollingriver]

I just bought a 2009 pop up camper good condition for $4500 cash. I’m a single female with 3 dogs. It’s so much easier to tow than those huge pull RVs.

[jesse]

You definitely deserved a thumbs up on this

[MatthewSolsky]

Not for nothing I've been camping my whole life!! And I agree with almost everything you said except for the thing about the fridge. I don't know what is wrong with yours but all the ones I've had worked great!! Small, yes but they kept everything cold, Hell we've even used the small little freezer section to make Ice for mixed drinks so we don't have to use the dirty water ice from the coolers. You might want to have that fridge checked or try turning the settings colder if it has any or just replace it with a new one if it doesn't get cold.

[newhampshireoutdoornetwork]

Im happy i found this video im going to look a a used pop up this week. Thanks for the info

[patricklacson]

Dude. Dude.... wow, Dude! Super valuable advice especially in the end! You just talked me out of shopping for a camper in the summer.

[paulcosham]

Good guide. One thing our fridge works awesome on battery, propane, or electric. Put it on high and it will freeze food in the bottom section. We set it midway and nice and chilly. 2003 Flagstaff

[zbarblary]

Your recommendation to look up under the end boards on the roof is a great idea! I should have checked that when we still had our 1998 10 ft pop-up. We were in a hailstorm soon after getting it and ended up with divots but no perforations. We never saw any evidence of leaking or mold or mildew, so we never replaced it, but might have been something to double-check. We were very careful about making certain the canvas was dry. We had the camper for 20 years with no issues, before we sold it to a younger family, but yes, it was also stored in a garage during it’s life with us. I can sympathize about sinks in pop-ups. Ours was never really useful, due to pressure issues. The dealer worked with us to fix it, but in the end it is just design issues. Our fridge actually cooled down really well on propane, less so on electric, but we did use it. The furnace was either too hot or cold, so we also used a space heater if we had electric. It provided more even heat. I never thought an air conditioner would work in a tent camper but my husband wouldn’t camp without one. It was wonderful on muggy afternoons and evenings after a day of hiking.

[ragtoprenee]

Great, easy to understand information. Also really good delivery, I could listen to you all day. I subscribed just to see what else I can learn from you. Thank you!