7 Best Off-Road Popup Campers

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Updated March 18, 2024

The best off-road popup campers are designed for even the most rugged terrain. Besides, just because you’re towing something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to take it off-road. That’s where all the adventure awaits, just over that next unpaved hill.

Just for you, we’ve whittled down a list of the 7 Best Off-Road Popup Tent Trailers that can handle bumps in the road. From suspension to strength, cameras to brakes, this popup crowd really has thought of it all.

Advantages and Disadvantages of an Off-Road Popup Camper

The pros of off-road pop-up campers are pretty clear. Most notably, you can take your trailer deep into the wilderness with you. You’re not stuck at boring campsites or flat land. With these, the world becomes your oyster.

Off-road campers also take the edge off of roughing it. As much fun as it is to exist in nature, it’s nice to have a cozy space. They provide a respite from the elements and give your back a break from sleeping on cold, hard ground.

As for the cons, there will always be disadvantages to outdoor accommodation such as this. In the woods, there will always be places you can’t take your trailer. You may have to do some trekking to see them.

Trailers also require more setup than a lifted sleeper van. Many people retrofit off-road vans or SUVs to quench their thirst for adventure. With these, the home is already good to go.

7 Best Off-Road Popup Campers

The best off-road popup camper will offer a ton of amenities within a small, versatile framework. That’s why these campers are so successful and growing in popularity. In fact, the more traditional RV market can learn a lot from its smaller cousins, especially the ones on this list.

1. Black Series HQ12

Our Pros and Cons

✅ Huge storage capacity, which is a terrific advantage for sustained, off-grid living/camping

⛔ Despite the incredible technology, the exterior awning is a hand-cranker

• Length: 19′ 6″
• UVW: 4,422 lbs
• CCC: 3,078 lbs
• GVWR: 7,500 lbs
• Tongue Weight: 750 lbs
• Sleep: 4

Black Series campers are the true beasts of the industry. Built like a tank, with a host of interior and exterior technology, the Black Series HQ12 is the pinnacle of off-road pop-up campers. Plus, these campers just look incredible. The exterior aesthetic is a head-turner, overlaying a hot-dipped, galvanized steel frame.

If a giant kicked one, it would break its toe. The HQ12 features a polyblock hitch with 360 degrees of movement, and the independent suspension system is designed with a go-anywhere attitude. The interior has a roomy feel, despite including an entire kitchen, wet bath, and U-dinette.

2. MDC USA AusRV X11

Our Pros and Cons

✅ 400W of solar with 2 100Ah batteries

⛔ The two batteries are AGM rather than lithium

• Length: 17′ 8″
• UVW: 3,634 lbs
• CCC: 2,980 lbs
• GVWR: 6,614 lbs
• Tongue Weight: 360 lbs
• Sleep: 2

We’re talking about off-roading here, which naturally leads to setting up camp off-grid. When you’re off-grid, nothing is more important than power. Well, water is essential, but that goes without saying. The MDC USA AusRV X11 is absolutely packed with resources for power and power consumption.

Four 100W solar panels power 2 AGM 100Ah batteries. In addition to that, you get two holders for dual 20-lb propane tanks. It is a comfortable sleeper for couples and, thanks to the BMPRO battery management system, will extend your off-road, off-grid adventures for quite a while.

3. Opus OP2

Our Pros and Cons

✅ Inflatable tent structure works well and assembles into an enormous interior quickly

⛔ Exterior shower and toilet are options rather than standard

• Length: 20′
• UVW: 3,100 lbs
• CCC: 1,100 lbs
• GVWR: 4,200 lbs
• Tongue Weight: 400 lbs
• Sleep: 6

The Opus OP12 is a self-assembling marvel of innovation and versatility. All it takes is the press of a button and about a minute and a half to get this camper ready for living. Inside, there’s a huge dinette that folds into a bed, along with another queen bed on one end.

Outside, the kitchen is fantastic—one of the best exterior kitchens on the market. It includes a small sink, a microwave, a fridge, a two-burner gas stove, a pantry, and plenty of storage space for additional kitchen utensils and small appliances.

4. Aliner Evolution 12

Our Pros and Cons

✅ The shower that pops up from the floor is one of the most efficient uses of space on this list

⛔ You”l probably need a memory foam topper to make the beds more comfy

• Length: 15′
• UVW: 2,000 lbs
• CCC: 1,000 lbs
• GVWR: 3,000 lbs
• Tongue Weight: 200 lbs
• Sleep: 4

The Aliner Evolution 12 is an interesting variation of the off-road, pop-up camper. While they lack the tents that most people think of with pop-ups, they still “pop up.” However, there is a canvas-side option that will save a little money, if you’re not interested in the hard side.

Either way, the Aliner assembles with ease, and you’re up and ready to go in just a few minutes. Thanks to the pyramid-like design, the overhead space creates a roomy atmosphere that holds a sofa bed conversion and a dinette/bed conversion. A cassette toilet is packed inside as well, and the shower pops up from the floor.

5. TAXA Mantis

Our Pros and Cons

✅ So many attachment points throughout, for gear, netting, wardrobes, etc.

⛔ You have to push out the A/C unit to properly drain it

• Length: 19′
• UVW: 2,972 lbs
• CCC: 1,228 lbs
• GVWR: 4,200 lbs
• Tongue Weight:
• Sleep: 4

The Taxa Mantis is essentially a mini-camper with a pop-top. It’s a fairly unique, off-road pop-up camper, with a ton of mechanisms within for hanging all sorts of things. For those who like to use netting for storage, this is definitely the camper for you.

It successfully packs in a lot, including a wet bath, a Truma furnace and water heater, a two-burner stovetop, and an 8,000 BTU A/C unit. There’s also a folding couch, in addition to the bed, and some nifty storage options with dual-opposing storage towers.

6. Rockwood Extreme Sports 2280BHESP

Our Pros and Cons

✅ Includes a 28″ x 84″ front metal deck for dragging along all of your off-road sports gear

⛔ Exterior griddle is nice but a little underwhelming

• Length: 12′
• UVW: 2,578 lbs
• CCC: 1,260 lbs
• GVWR: 3,838 lbs
• Tongue Weight: 338 lbs
• Sleep: 6

A good off-road pop-up tent will take care of most, if not all, of your outdoor adventure needs. The Rockwood Extreme Sports 2280BHESP features a unique exterior innovation with metal decking. When the forward tent is folded in, you have a sizeable platform that will carry mountain bikes, a small motorbike, or several, large packs of camping gear.

With a CCC of over half a ton, the metal deck is far from limiting. The interior holds your basic amenities, such as the fridge, stove, sink, and wet bath, while you also have the option of cooking outside on the slide-out griddle.

7. VMI Offroad XTender Explorer

The VMI Xtender Explorer pop-up trailer keeps the numbers low, weight, size, and price included. It’s perfect for true outdoorsy folks who don’t mind being close to nature. The most basic of campers, it leaves space for a rooftop tent as well as all your gear. A little something called leaf spring suspension with Nytro shocks ensures a confident crawl. All welded aluminum, off-road tires, and a hinged tongue box are all part of the picture.

How Much Can Your Vehicle Tow?

Your vehicle’s VIN or owner’s manual will tell you the maximum tow capacity. Do yourself a favor…do not exceed this! Many cars or crossover SUVs can tow only 1,500 pounds. SUVs tend to start at a few thousand, while pickup trucks can range anywhere from 5,000 to 30,000 pounds.

Your camper is not the only factor that adds to the tow weight; you have to include any cargo and liquids as well. If your tow capacity rests at 5,000 pounds, you’ll want a camper that weighs two tons or less.

There are a few more precautions that go into towing a pop-up. The least of these is tongue weight. Tongue weight occurs when a trailer connects to a vehicle via a hitch. More specifically, it’s the weight on the hitch itself. It should not be more than 10–15% of the trailer’s gross vehicle weight.

Can You Take a Popup Travel Trailer Off-Road?

You can take any travel trailer off-road. The real question is, how well will it hold up? There are travel trailers specifically made for this and those that are not. It’s best to avoid the latter in favor of the former, for obvious reasons.

Each off-road pop-up camper on this list has features that traditional travel trailers and pop-ups lack, such as beefier suspension systems, more durable structures, tires designed for rough terrain, and off-grid power systems, just to name a few. Taking a standard travel trailer off-road runs the risk of damaging its frame, suspension system, hitch connection, tires, and exterior.

If you’re interested in taking the road less traveled, it’s best to find a trailer that is built for the job, rather than forcing a non-off-road trailer to meet those needs.

Rent an Off-Road Popup Camper Before You Buy One

If you are considering buying an off-road popup camper, we highly recommend that you consider renting a popup camper before you buy one.

We rented a Class C RV for a week before we bought our Class C, and we learned a ton about what we liked and didn’t like, which helped us make the best buying decision possible.

You don’t even have to rent the exact model you are considering purchasing. Just rent something similar, and I guarantee you will learn a ton.

Final Words About Off-Road Popup Campers

Gone are the days when bumps and dips would deter. We wave goodbye to the times when a splash of water was a no-go. With off-road-friendly pop-up campers, you’ll be able to handle obstacles as if there were no tomorrow.

Simply opt for the right model, keep capacity in mind, and focus on adventurous features the most. Before you know it, the pavement will be a speck in the distance. Dirt roads will surround you. The sounds of nature and a solid off-road trailer will join in glorious harmony.

We hope you like our choices for the 7 Best Off-road Popup Campers.

Tell us about your favorite off-road pop-up camper below! We would love to add you to our list!

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Related Reading:

– 9 Best Off-Road RVs in Every Category
– 10 Best Campers You Can Tow With A Jeep Wrangler
– 8 Best Travel Trailer Toy Haulers
– 10 Best Truck Bed Tents For Camping

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