Cub Campers Spacevan

Space race

Cub Campers turned 40 last year, making it one of the longest lasting builders in the country. When I inspected the new Spacevan with sales manager Ross Nichols, it was easy to tell why. This van is unique within the camper trailer fraternity for its high sides, which mean you get full-size benches inside. Normally you have to get a full-size caravan for that kind of comfort.

The Spacevan is also the largest rear-fold camper on the market when it comes to floor space. The kitchen is user-friendly and offers a few innovations. The floor is strong and stable when deployed, so you don't feel off balance walking around on it. But the biggest advantage, and one that really makes Cub's campers stand apart, is the Ezy-Wind system, which means no more lifting the floor to open and close the camper. Just turn a crank and you're camping in seconds.

Just over 40 years ago, Cub was building a name for itself developing horse trailers when retired pharmacist JK Fagan purchased the company. With his son, Roger, JK developed the company's first camper trailer, a fairly simple box trailer design.

Then came the Drifter, the platform upon which subsequent Cub models were built, including the Supamatic, Spacematic, and this model, the top-of-the-range offroad Spacevan. Developed to handle offroad requirements with an eye for long-range touring as well, the Spacevan provides a great compromise to the age-old camper trailer/caravan dichotomy. You get the manoeuvrability, light weight (715kg Tare with an exceptionally low 35kg ball weight) and affordability of a camper trailer, with the comfort, ease and space of a caravan. At a height of only 1930mm, the Spacevan will track nicely behind most 4WDs, which is especially helpful in sandy or muddy conditions. And starting at just $25,000, the Spacevan offers great value for your camping dollar.

CATERING FOR ALL
Cub offers two different options when it comes to kitchens on the Spacevan: either inside or outside stainless steel units. When one opts for the outside kitchen, the cupboard inside is built as storage, with two doors and two drawers. With an inside kitchen, the cupboard storage is somewhat sacrificed, but there is additional storage beneath the bed. Another option is to get an internal kitchen and external slide-out barbecue and pantry.

The cooking facilities include a four-burner cooktop with grill.

Opposite the internal kitchen cupboard (our review model had the slide-out external kitchen) is another bench with cupboard storage and a 90L three-way Dometic fridge, providing more than double the cold storage of your average camping fridge.

The Spacevan design can accommodate either a single queen-size bed or twin single mattresses. A fold-up table with two folding camping chairs is provided with every camper, and there is plenty of room in the floor area for these.

Our review model was equipped with a queen-size mattress, flanked by twin reading lamps and two wind-out windows with velcro curtains - many more accoutrements normally reserved for caravans that could never follow a Cub up the Old Telegraph Road.

THE RIGHT FIT
Over the years, I've learned that when I try to gauge the relative merits of camper trailers at a glance, one of the points that seems to differentiate them, sometimes enormously, is the cut and general fit of the canvas on the frame. Some campers look like loosely dressed adolescents, and some look like $5000 suits. Cub definitely leans towards the latter. Despite erecting the camper on a bit of fairly uneven ground, the canvas, which has sturdy stitching, still sat true and tight.

Manufactured from Australian canvas in Cub's own Australian factory, the Spacevan's tent is the perfect accompaniment to the company's unique Ezy-Wind system. The awning can even be left on and just folded up with the rest of the canvas as you wind the floor up. The optional tropical roof can also be left on permanently. All of this combines to make the range of Cub campers one of the fastest on the market to set up and take down.

THE BOTTOM LINE
Cub's Spacevan takes advantage of all the learning and innovation that has gone into both the caravan and camper trailer industries over the last 40 years or so. The company has been trading that long, which means it must be doing something right.

Providing an affordable camper that exceeds others when it comes to liveability without sacrificing offroad acumen and weight, the Spacevan impressed us, and we're sure it will impress you.

I WOULD HAVE LIKED

Cub Campers,
361 Wentworth Avenue,
Pendle Hills, NSW 2145, (02) 9896 3550.

For more on Cub Campers, including your nearest dealer, visit www.cubcampers.com.au