First and foremost, make sure you have the appropriate tow vehicle to safely pull a camper. Check the manufacturers towing recommendations in you owners manual. Sometimes this information is not clear in the manual so a call to the dealer may be in order.

A RV dealer will also be able to give you the towing capacity of your particular vehicle. A good dealer is very conscious about tow vehicles. Many times the first question they ask is about your tow vehicle. So stop in and browse around, they will be more than happy to answer all your questions.

Before beginning your search set your self a budget for the purchase of the pop up. Keep in mind that the cost of the camper is only part of the budget. You will probably do some redecorating and small maintenance to your new camper. Ten to twenty percent of the cost of the pop up should be set aside for these items.

Take some time to visit your local RV dealers to walk through some pop ups. This will give you an opportunity to find the floor plans that suits your lifestyle. Since you are buying used you may have to compromise here, but you should buy a camper with a floor plan you like, as this cannot be changed later.

The condition of the used camper you are looking at should be high on the list of priorities. The number one problem with pop up campers is water and moisture. Left untreated water can quickly ruin the structure of the camper. If you see any signs of water intrusion, make a very thorough inspection of the surrounding areas to look for damage. This type of damage is very costly, if not impossible, to repair.

No water damage? Great. Now you can move on to the canvas and mechanical systems. Check that the lift system works properly and smoothly. A tight seal should be made when the roof is lowered. Canvas and screens should be free of rips, tears, and large amounts of mold. Test all the systems in the pop up to ensure they are in working condition. On the outside of the camper be sure to check the tires and towing lights.

If any major problems are discovered, consider walking away from the deal. If not then you need to make an offer based on your inspection. Take into consideration any defects or damage that you noted. Remember your budget and that any repairs will be taken from the balance. Give the seller your offer, if he/she refuses to budge on the price you may want to consider walking away. Remember you are trying to get a good deal and stay within budget.