Tent vs. pop-up camping: Both can be memory makers

by Mary Jo David

More than 40 years have passed from the time we tent-camped on our honeymoon in Maine’s Acadia National Park to our recent “snowbirding” adventure in a fifth wheel trailer in the Southwest. Throughout those years, we graduated from tents to pop-ups and then to a travel trailer and, ultimately, fifth wheel RVs.

Perhaps “graduated” is the wrong word, as there are many different perspectives on the advantages and disadvantages of the various modes of camping. But there’s no denying, the lead-up to camping season is a good time to compare and contrast these different modes, so this month we’ll focus on tent camping and pop-up camping.

Tent camping is cozy

Sure, tent camping in Maine in June provides wonderful cuddling opportunities, but there are other considerations besides the romance!

Tent campers can venture to low-traffic areas that don’t accommodate motorized vehicles. And when it comes to achieving that “back to nature” feel, there’s probably no better camping experience than tent-camping.

Tents are compact and lightweight, a definite consideration if you drive a small vehicle or are planning to do some hiking.

Depending on the size and style of the tent, it can probably be set up in 30 minutes or less. However, some larger tents may require more than one person for set-up, and weather conditions, like high winds, can make it tough to set up quickly.

Tent camping is a great option for avid power boaters who don’t want to have to choose between towing a boat or a camper. Instead, they can tow the boat and store a tent in the boat.

Tent companies like to think their tents don’t leak, but have you ever met a tent that has remained completely dry during a prolonged rainstorm? Tents are generally water resistant, not waterproof. Tent manufacturing has improved over time to minimize leaking, but many serious tent campers take the extra step of waterproofing a tent before they use it for the first time.

It’s just my opinion, but I believe tent camping is better suited for well-organized folks—those who are sure to store canopy, tent, poles, and stakes all together between adventures. It’s true, many tents nowadays are freestanding and rely on flexible rods or tubes that inflate. But you’ll still find plenty of tents that use poles, and all it takes is one missing pole to throw off a camping experience!

In general, tent camping is also cheaper; parks usually charge less for camping with a tent than with a trailer—even a pop-up trailer.

Pop-up trailer camping is convenient

If tent camping is so wonderful, why would anyone consider going the pop-up trailer route?

The biggest reason, in my opinion, is the benefit of sleeping off of the ground. When our family transitioned to a pop-up, it was unexpected. As in, one day my husband came home and asked if I had $40 cash because he’d found us a used pop-up camper. (This was pre-ATM days.) You may be wondering, what kind of a pop-up could he buy for $40? Me, too! I remember reluctantly turning over the money to him and asking that exact question. I recall hearing the words, “Trust me.” I think we’d been married five years at that point, so of course I still trusted him!

Next thing I know, we were the proud owners of a 1950s-era pop-up—but this was in the mid-1980s. Picture, if you will, a Korean War era M.A.S.H. tent on wheels!

But that pitiful little box-and-canvas camper was a godsend. It provided a tent-camping experience but with fold-out beds that were up and off the ground—thus keeping our children drier in the rain and warmer than a traditional tent.

Within a few years, we replaced our little pop-up with a newer Jayco pop-up that had all the bells and whistles at that time. That Jayco took us through the best camping years with our kids—right up until they were out of high school. And I daresay, that pop-up had a lot to do with our kids all developing a fondness for camping.

Other benefits of pop-up camping include:

Being able to conveniently store your camping equipment inside the camper. Not just lanterns and marshmallow skewers, but also plates, silverware, pots and pans—you get the picture.

Most pop-ups have many of the conveniences of home: a built-in stove, oven, refrigerator, and even a heater.

While you can certainly make use of sleeping bags in a pop-up camper, the bed configuration enables you to use regular sheets and blankets if you wish.

Pop-up campers typically do not require trucks to tow them. Depending on the weight of the camper, it may not require anything bigger than a sedan or SUV to pull it. But do your homework to be sure your vehicle can handle the weight of the pop-up.

By virtue of the fact that they “pop up,” these campers don’t typically block the driver’s view out the back window, making it easier than towing something larger that requires you to put most of your faith in your mirrors.

Depending on what material the top of the pop-up camper is made from, you may still need to beware of leaks and tears, just as you would with a tent.

Regardless of what mode you choose for camping, the important thing is to select your home away from home with eyes wide open. And do make sure your tent door zips completely and your pop-up sides are securely fastened to the camper’s frame. These kinds of precautions can help to ensure your children don’t roll out of the tent while sleeping (yes, it happened to my aunt as a child) and that they don’t fall out of the pop-up when the canvas comes unsnapped! (Yes, it happened to our youngest son, but he’s fine. I promise.)

When it comes to achieving that “back to nature” feel, there’s no better camping experience than tent-camping. Photo credit: Will Truettner at unsplash.com

Pop-up campers offer many of the conveniences of home—stove, oven, refrigerator, heat, A/C—while retaining some of that tent-camping feel. Image credit: Flickr.ace424 shared under Creative Commons license 2.0.