Cruizy Vagabond Brumby 2022 Review

There’s no doubt a small camper offers a leg up on tent camping but is a less costly camping option than a caravan.

Popular for decades, a small teardrop camper doesn't require much storage space nor a big vehicle to tow it with and, importantly in the current climate of soaring fuel prices, add much to the fuel bills.

One of the latest arrivals in the small camper market is the three-model Vagabond teardrop camper range imported from South Africa by sole Australian agent Cruizy Campers.

Vagabond, based in Durban, South Africa, has been building its Vagabond teardrop camper since 2008. The local Australian importer Cruizy Campers is based in Gosford NSW and is run by Norm and Hazel Steyn. Norm brings plenty of experience to this venture from his long career in the automotive manufacturing industry both in South Africa and Australia.

Range of options

There are three models in the Cruizy Campers range: the Vagabond Possum, Vagabond Joey and Vagabond Brumby, and all share the same box-section galvanised chassis and double layer full monocoque fibreglass body with polyurethane foam insulation.

Also standard across the range is a 2.06 metre-long foam cell queen mattress bed (which folds to become a day couch), rear lift-up kitchen and up to 11 storage options inside.

A recent running change has seen the battery, battery charger and associated wiring move from the interior front of the cabin to the front boot which has allowed an increase in cabin length of around 200mm, so six-foot plus people can now comfortably sleep in the camper.

The compact Cruizy campers come with a five-year warranty and are available in exterior colours including Crystal White, Dove Grey, Light Grey and Forest Green. Orange or red hues are available as a special order.

Easy to tow

With a Tare weight starting at just 580kg, the trio of campers can be towed by almost any vehicle on the market.

The entry-level Vagabond Possum with its 750kg ATM is priced at $27,500 drive-away and comes with five-leaf leaf spring suspension, 14in steel rims, a 60 litre water tank, checker plate lower side and front body protection, LED lighting, nose cone storage, roof rails, a two burner portable gas stove, two tables, 12volt aux and USB sockets, roof rails, a 2.5m awning, single 100Ah AGM battery and a water pump and basin tap.

The Vagabond Joey at $35,500 adds larger 15in wheels, override drum brakes, interior roller blinds, a 35amp battery charging system and a 50 litre fridge freezer integrated in the rear kitchen area. It also has a larger 1050kg ATM.

We’re reviewing the top-spec model here, the Vagabond Brumby, which starts at $34,990 but is priced at $38,500 drive-away, including options. The 1140kg ATM-rated Brumby’s additional standard features over lower-spec models include a spare wheel, three-speed reversible direction 12V fan roof hatch, 16in wheels with Cooper Discoverer ATT off-road tyres, a six setting crockery set, interior upholstery, 270 degree awning, solar input, Anderson plug and side protection bars.

The review Brumby was also fitted with the $450 shower cubicle, $975 electric brake upgrade and $2150 L-shaped stainless steel awning, making for a $42,075 drive-away price as tested.

Be aware that these prices are subject to change; as with all suppliers at the moment, Cruizy Campers is facing rising transport and other costs.

Ready for adventure

The Cruizy Brumby is a lot larger than it appears in the photos – it's not a tiny-size teardrop by any means. While it has an overall length of 4015mm, the body takes up 3360mm, although that includes the front boot.

If you’re planning semi-off road adventures, the Brumby seems well protected underneath. Wiring is tucked up, running alongside the chassis rails and there don't be appear to be any low-hanging points to catch on the terrain.

Setting up the camper is very simple. The L-shape awning takes a couple of minutes and provides excellent coverage, including the rear kitchen area.

The shower enclosure is also easy to set up on the off-side, and makes a good spot for the optional external shower and/or a porta-loo.

Room to move

Interior space in the Cruizy Brumby is also quite generous for this type of camper, with just over a metre of maximum height over the bed if you want to get changed inside or access the multiple storage cubbies.

Speaking of storage, there are two zippered, enclosed compartments at the rear of the layout (where a mirror can also be found) plus two at the front. There are also four open compartments in the front.

The canvas, zippered compartment covers are velcroed in position, so can be taken off easily for washing if required.

For ventilation, there's a roof hatch with two-direction three-speed fan, along with tinted, locking, strut-assist meshed side windows adjacent to the doors. Of course, for the full flow-through effect, the side doors can be opened up, and fitting the standard velcro-attached mesh screens would be a smart move to keep out the bugs in summer months.

As for the doors, they shut well and are well sealed, suggesting that dust proofing should be quite good (although we didn't test this). The door retaining catch to hold the doors open against the front body did not appear to have as positive engagement as you might want on the review camper though.

Comfy bed

The foam-cell bed in the Cruizy Brumby is very comfortable for a standard mattress, and provides decent length as well as width for two people. The mattress is sewn into sections that allow it to neatly fold into a day couch for those rainy days at camp.

There are two LED lights in the cabin, one outside each cabin door and another light inside the kitchen enclosure. The lights have multi-stage brightness settings and also a yellow-light anti-bug setting.

The two interior LED strip lights look like they'd do a decent job of lighting up the interior after dark, but there are no bedside reading lamps.

Power needs are covered off with two USB-A ports and a 12V aux port; located at the centre storage compartment inside and the kitchen enclosure. There's also a two-pole 240v socket in the kitchen area, as well as as one in the cabin and another in the front boot.

Outside cooking

Opening the lockable, strut-assisted rear hatch reveals the kitchen area which presents as a user-friendly spot to store some provisions and prepare meals.

Storage here includes three zippered compartments and tray in the bench, alongside the bowl sink with tap and 50-litre 12V fridge-freezer.

While not shown in the review unit, the bench compartment now features a cutting-board hinged lid and the sink includes a stainless-steel insert.

While bench space is a little tight in the kitchen, there are two tables with adjustable support legs that hook on to the body. The table that fits to the nearside rear is the natural spot for the separate two-burner cooker, that's easily hooked up to the 2kg gas bottle secured above the nearside mudguard.

The portable cooker is stored in a dustproof lockable compartment below the kitchen when not in use.

The battery voltage and water tank levels are displayed on a panel in the nearside corner of the kitchen.

There's not a lot of exterior storage options, apart from a small locker above the offside mudguard and the front boot.

While moving the battery and associated electrics from the cabin to the front boot has boosted interior space, the downside is less storage space available in the boot.

However, like any teardrop camper you can easily secure larger gear in the cabin when on the move.

Summing up

The Cruizy Campers range is a welcome addition to the teardrop camper market and while the top-spec Brumby version is premium priced, it comes with plenty of creature comforts and features for extended week-end getaways.

It's also a bit bigger than some rival teardrops, so should appeal to larger adults.

How much does the Cruizy Campers Vagabond Brumby cost?

Price: $38,500 drive-way ($42,075 as reviewed)
Options fitted: External shower enclosure ($450), electric brakes ($975), L-shape awning ($2150)
Travel length: 4015mm
Body length (open length): 3360mm
External body width: 2100mm (including wheel arches)
Travel height: 2150mm
Interior height: 1120mm (from bed to ceiling)
Tare weight: From 580kg
ATM: 1140kg
Ball weight: 50-80kg (estimated)
Body: Double-insulated fibreglass
Chassis: 38mm x 78mm galvanised steel box section
Suspension: Eight-leaf spring, 50mm axle
Brakes: 10in electric drums
Wheels: 16in steel fitted with Cooper Discoverer ATT 235/60R16 tyres
Fresh water: 60L
Battery: 100A/h AGM
Solar: Opt (standard solar wiring)
Air-conditioner: n/a
Gas: 2kg
Hot water: Opt
Cooking: Two-burner stand-alone cooker
Fridge: 12V 50L fridge/freezer
Microwave: Opt
Toilet: n/a
Shower: Opt (external)
Lighting: 12v LED
TV: Opt
Supplied by: Cruizy Campers, Gosford, NSW