How to Set Up a Pop Up Camper

Setting up a new pop up camper at a campsite for the first time can be a bit intimidating. By keeping all the steps in order using this helpful guide, you will soon gain the confidence to set up your camper with no problem at all.

Part 1

Part 1 of 5:

Leveling and Location

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1
Position the camper where you would like it to be on your campsite. Do not unhook your tow vehicle yet. When selecting the location, consider things like:
- Slope of the ground (you can only adjust level so much)
- Location of trees (don't want to hit roof when raised or beds when pulled out)
- Proximity to the fire pit (give yourself enough room)
- Location of electrical hookup if using one (make sure your cord is long enough)
2
Check side to side level of the camper.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If it is already level you can skip to blocking the wheels.
- Note which side is low. This will be the wheel you will need to level up.
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3
Move the camper either straight forward or back approximately 1.5 feet. This can be difficult to gage at first so it may be helpful to have a spotter watching on the outside until you get the hang of it.
4
Place a piece of plywood, approximately 1.5 feet long and wider than the width of the camper wheel, in the spot where the wheel was before you moved the camper.
- Stack more than one piece of wood if the site is particularly unlevel.
- There are commercial leveling blocks available but plywood works just fine and is probably cheaper.
5
Move the camper so the wheel is centered on top of the plywood you just placed down.
If it is still unlevel repeat the step where you move the camper and then add more plywood. It is good to have a supply of at least three to five pieces of plywood to stack if the spot is particularly unlevel.
These can be just cut up pieces of two by four. The purpose is to keep the camper from moving when you unhook your tow vehicle as well as while you are camping. Once again, there are commercial blocks available but wood blocks work just fine.
8
Pull the retaining pin and swing down the camper tongue jack.
- The tongue jack is at the front end of the camper next to the propane tanks and battery.
- The retaining pin is located at the midway point on the tongue jack.
- Make sure the tongue jack is retracted enough to enable it to swing to the full down position.
- Place a piece of wood underneath the jack wheel if you are camping on sandy or other soft ground to keep it from just sinking into the sand.
9
Unplug the electrical connection from the tow vehicle to the camper.
10
Unhook the safety chains.
11
Raise the camper tongue off of the tow vehicle hitch, by cranking down on the tongue jack until the tongue is fully separated from the tow hitch ball.
12
Move the tow vehicle away from the camper.
13
Check level front to back.
Crank the handle on the tongue jack clockwise to raise the tongue end of the camper and counter clockwise to lower as necessary to achieve level.^{[2]XResearch source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 5:

Power and Roof

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2
Turn off the breaker at the campsite electrical hookup.
- The campsite electrical hookup is usually a three foot tall post typically near the back of the campsite.
- It is safer to plug your campers electrical cord in with the breaker at the hookup off.
3
Plug your campers plug into the hookup and switch the breaker back on.
4
Switch the power on (the green 120 V switch) to your camper fridge at the back panel. This is especially important if you have food already in the fridge.
- Most camper refrigerators will operate on 12V DC battery power (which does not work very well), as well as propane.
5
Set out your outdoor rug or mat on the door side of the camper if you are going to use one.
7
Crank down the four camper supports near to the ground without them completely touching yet.
- This is to provide security for the camper (it will not tip) while still allowing the frame to flex while raising the roof.
^{[3]XResearch source}
9
Crank up the camper roof.^{[4]XResearch source}
- This is done using the same handle that you used to lower the supports. It inserts into the roof crank spot at the back of the camper.
- Crank clockwise to raise the roof until it will not turn anymore and the roof is at its full height.
10
Crank down the four camper supports the rest of the way to the ground. You will feel some increased resistance when they contact the ground. Give them just a little snug after that. There is no need to crank too tight.
- These are located at the four corners of the camper near the bottom.
11
Remove any items you need from the trunk of your camper if it has one. You will be pulling out the beds soon, and it will be more difficult to remove things after that.

Part 3

Part 3 of 5:

Beds and Canvas

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1
Grasp the handles on the outside end of one of the beds and pull it fully out until you feel a solid stop. As you pull it firmly out stay aware of the position of the canvas to make sure it is not catching on anything. If something doesn't feel right STOP.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Check the canvas, pull it away from anything it could catch.
- Check the inside of the camper to be sure the bed isn't catching on something.
- It is necessary to pull firmly, but if it's not moving, something is wrong. Don't force it.
2
Pull out the free end of the bed support pole which is underneath the bed.
- Position the free end of the support pole onto the stud on the frame of the camper.
- Repeat this with the second support pole.
3
Lift up on the bed to fully latch both supports. You will feel the bed come up as you lift and then it will sit down solidly when you set it down.
4
Pull out the second bed using the same steps as the first.
6
Grasp both handles on the slide out lift slightly and pull out until you feel a solid stop.
7
Attach the velcro on the canvas to the slide out to secure it.
10
Push out on the pole while positioning the other end into the support clip.
- Repeat this process with the other bed.
13
Attach the velcro on the canvas to the outside of the door frame.

Part 4

Part 4 of 5:

Propane and Water

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2
Take the outdoor stove (if you are using one) to the hookup spot on the side of the camper.
- This spot is on the door side of the camper. The stove sits about waist level.
3
Angle the front of the stove down while lifting the back and set it on the support while slowly lowering it down. The lower bracket will rest on the side of the camper and will feel secure.
4
Connect the male end of the propane hose on the outdoor stove to the female propane fitting on the lower frame of the camper.
5
Open the valve on top of the propane tank. Give the propane lines a few minutes to equalize pressure in the system before turning on or using anything requiring propane.
- The propane tanks are located at the front end of the camper.
6
Connect a sanitary water hose from your camper to the water spigot (if there is one on your campsite) and open the valve.
- The hose hookup spot on the camper is on the side opposite the door side and near the back end.
- Switch on power to your camper's water pump if you don't have a water spigot and are going to be using your water tank instead.
- This switch is located inside the camper next to the galley.
7
Connect a drain hose onto the drain fitting on the outside of the camper.
- The drain fitting is on the back side of the camper. Your sink drains out of this fitting.
8
Connect the end of the hose to a grey water tank or bucket.

Part 5

Part 5 of 5:

Water Heater and Pilot

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1
Open the cover on the outside of the camper to access the hot water tank.
- The access panel is located near the front of the camper on the side opposite the camper door.
^{[6]XResearch source}
Place a flame on the end of the pilot tube that is pointing to the inside, using a long lighter and wait till the pilot stays lit. Be sure to continue holding down the knob while doing this.^{[7]XResearch source}
4
Turn the knob to on. The hot water tank should go into full fire mode and begin heating the water.
- If the pilot goes out, turn the gas knob to off and wait five minutes before repeating procedure.
- NEVER light a lighter or bring in an open flame if you smell propane.

Community Q&A

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Question
Is it possible to camp in a pop up without opening the end beds?
Community Answer
No. When the beds are not pulled out, there is no interior space inside the camper. The canvas will have nothing to attach to.
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Question
I have my camper cranked all the way up, how do I lower it?
Community Answer
If you were able to crank it all the way up you should be able to do the exact same thing in the opposite direction to lower it back down. If it is stuck, you may have to look and see what may be causing it to stick.
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Question
How do I get the top of my pop-up camper unstuck?
Community Answer
WD40 works well, or some kind of oil. Sometimes it can help a lot to have other people pushing as well.
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Tips

Its a really good idea to have a spotter watching as you move the camper around. Sometimes its hard to see everything.
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Keep in mind when selecting a location for the camper that king size beds pull out about 6 feet.
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Setting up at night is much more difficult than in the day. Give yourself enough time.
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Warnings

Do not forget to unlatch the roof before you crank it up. The lifting cables will get damaged.
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If you smell propane or suspect a leak turn off your propane tank valve and extinguish any open flames.
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Keep people away from the camper as you move it, especially if you are backing up and don't have full vision.
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Do not set up too close to the fire pit.
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Things You'll Need

Pieces of plywood about 10"x 18" for leveling. These can be of various thickness.
RV drinking water hose. If your campground has a water hookup you will be using.
RV extension cord. These are helpful when the electrical hookup is too far away, which is often.
Level. Many can be permanently mounted to the camper tongue.
Small two by four wood pieces for blocking the wheels.
Long nosed lighter for lighting the pilot on the water heater.