How much does it cost to replace a canvas on a pop up camper?

If you’ve invested in a pop-up camper, you are well aware of the conveniences and inconveniences they pose versus traditional travel trailers.

Pop-up campers are a great solution if you want the luxury of a camper but only can tow a certain weight or need a smaller trailer due to limited storage space. 

One of the most commonly asked questions we get about pop-up campers is about how to replace the canvas walls and how much a full pop-up camper canvas replacement costs.

The cost of replacing all of the canvas on standard pop-up campers will usually run between $1000-2000. On top of that cost, you can expect another $300-500 for a professional installation. Depending on the damage or overall quality of the canvas you have, you may not need to replace all of the sections.

Many companies offer bulk canvas price deals, or if the professional recanvasing specialists already have canvas on hand, they will put together a price that includes materials, installation, and labor costs.

In this article, we will not only go into detail about the cost of canvas replacements, but also how to know you need a recanvasing, how to keep your canvas clean, and other frequently asked questions about pop-up camper canvas.

How Much Does Canvas Cost to Replace on a Pop-Up Camper?

Several different factors will determine the entire cost of the canvas replacement.

First, you will have to consider how much of the pop-up camper you need the canvas replaced on and if it is all of it or not. 

Then, you need to consider if it is worth it to do it yourself or to have a professional recanvas your camper. 

If you are replacing all of the canvas on your pop-up trailer, then there are a few other things that impact the price.

Although most pop-up campers are similar, each manufacturer has different design features and specifications of size for each wing and canopy.

The amount of canvas needed for a recanvasing project will differ from trailer to trailer. 

Beyond the manufacturer and model, the year of the camper can impact the design as well.

In most cases, older pop-up camper designs will run closer to $1000 for an entire rencavasing. Newer models will usually be closer to $1500 or more.

DIY vs. Paid Replacement

Many RV, travel trailer, and pop-up camper owners are avid DIYers.

However, if you’ve never done a canvas replacement on your pop-up camper before, you will be in for an exciting day or two.

Most recanvasing services do this full-time, and they can basically replace canvas blindfolded. 

Us DIY experts at home can bank on a full canvas replacement taking us 5 hours or more. That is if we do it right the first time.

In the end, it will be up to you and your skill level. If you feel confident that you can do it correctly the first time, you could save yourself a couple of hundred dollars. 

At the same time, recanvasing experts can get you in and out in about an hour or at least in one day for around $300-500.

Plus, the best services have customer guarantees where if they don’t secure the canvas properly, they’ll fix it for free. 

When choosing whether or not it is worth it to do it yourself, weigh all of the options first.

You may want to work on a project like this, and if not, you can save some time and energy by paying a professional.

When Is Recanvasing Necessary? 

Before you go out and recanvas your entire camper, you may want to know a few of the most common reasons people replace their canvas.

If you buy a pop-up camper new, it will be a while before you have to go through this process.

However, replacing canvas is much more common when buying used or repairing old camper models. 

Here are some of the most common reasons campers replace canvas:

Now, our list is not all-inclusive for all of the possible reasons you’d replace your canvas.

These are the most common reasons people report investing in a recanvasing project.

There may be steps you can take to extend the life of your canvas, but sometimes, age gets the best of the canvas, and your camper needs new life. 

You may also be able to replace only sections of your canvas.

This is a cost-effective way to go about recanvasing. Plus, if you can’t afford the cost of doing the entire camper at one time, you could always do it in sections.

Can You Repair Canvas on a Pop-Up Camper?

If you have a few minor issues with your pop-up camper, you may be able to patch up just those areas before you have to replace the canvas entirely.

If there are specific issues like seams coming apart or a zipper that needs to be replaced, you can do these repairs yourself for a fraction of the cost. 

You can also repair rips in canvas as they appear. Eventually, you will need to replace all of the canvas, but if you only have a few issues here and there, you may be able to hold off for a season or two.

Pop-Up Camper Canvas Cleaning Tips

One of the best ways to increase the longevity of your pop-up camper canvas is to make sure that you store and clean it properly.

One of the first and foremost rules of pop-up camper care is never to store and close the camper when the canvas is wet or damp.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is easy to do this accidentally.

If you were camping and it rained, you may think that things have aired out and dried thoroughly.

In most cases, there are nooks and crannies in the canvas that could still be damp.

So, once you get home, it is always a good idea to reopen the camper and give it some time to dry.

This also gives you some time at home to clean and close up any forgotten areas before storing your camper again. 

This step is especially essential if you live in a humid climate. It takes much longer for the canvas to dry when it is exposed to humidity.

So, give it some extra time, and if necessary, set up some fans or a dehumidifier to help things along. 

If you cook inside your camper frequently, this can cause the interior canvas to become dirty as well.

We often think that only the outside of the camper needs a deep clean for the canvas, but the inside should also be cleaned. 

When you are cleaning the canvas, be sure that you use a mild soap and water mix with nothing harsh like bleach.

Harsh chemicals will damage the canvas and cause the material to deteriorate faster with time. 

You can also use things like a vinyl finish or spray to help protect the canvas from the elements.

You should always clean the canvas thoroughly before applying a coat of vinyl protectant.

This can be done once a year before storing, or it can be done every few months if the camper is used often.

The more exposure the canvas has to the sun and other elements, the more protective help it may need.