Cub Weekender 2019 Review

Not that long ago we put Cub Campers' family friendly Frontier through its paces, but at $36,000 drive-away, the Sydney manufacturer's sole forward-fold model is far from the most affordable option in the Cub range.

That honour goes to the Weekender rear-fold camper, that with a Tare weight of just 566kg and $18,000 drive-away pricing, is less than half the weight and around half the cost of the Frontier.

One of Cub's more popular models, the entry-level Weekender is a few-frills camper for an adventurous couple, or perhaps a family with one or two younger kids – and one of few remaining Aussie-built campers priced under $20K.

Back to basics

While some Cubs, like the latest $48,000 Longreach LE offer a bit more free camping capability and bling, the Weekender just covers the basics. At $17,990, it competes head on with the big-selling Chinese campers although our review example had the optional ($2100) Light Off Road Power Pack fitted, which pushed up the drive-away price to $20,090.

However, while it lacks a few features of the more expensive Cubs, it shares the basic design and build quality including the use of hardy Wax Converters canvas, steel frame and body, and galvanized chassis.

Easy towing

Apart from its price, a main attraction of the Weekender is its compact size and light weight. It measures just 2.23m by 1.7m when travelling, and with a Tare weight of 621kg (as reviewed) and 900kg ATM, was the perfect option behind our Honda CR-V tow vehicle.

Despite the small 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine the CR-V made light work of pulling the Weekender, even up hills.

Although you can safely drag it down some graded dirt tracks, the Weekender with its basic leaf spring suspension, 15in wheels, override disc brakes, 50mm ball hitch and lack of stone protection, is designed primarily for sealed road travel.

It has a pretty small footprint when set up too: taking up a space of around 6m by 1.7m, without the awning or kitchen pulled out.

Cub advertises a three minute set up, and that’s about right; using Cub’s trademark ‘silent’ winch, it doesn't take long to flip the lid over and have the main tent set up.

It’s a relatively easy one-person job with just two stabilizer legs to drop down, while the canvas pulls tight over the hard walls with the use of external bungy straps (which we forgot to do for the photos!).

It’s something older or less able campers could easily do, although there's a couple more extension poles on the inside tent frame to push into position than on the Frontier.

We didn’t get around to erecting the attached Deluxe awning (lightweight aluminium poles are supplied), but based on previous experience with Cub Campers it should be a relatively easy task. There's also the option of side canvas walls to create a fully enclosed annexe.

Once set up, it’s simply a case of pulling out the stainless steel kitchen, which has drop-down support legs and includes a two-burner gas stove (with glass lid and removable windshields), sink with pump tap and a carpeted cutlery drawer.

There’s also a separate stainless pantry drawer, which holds the fire extinguisher and would be a good place to carry dry food and smaller gear.

To keep the price down there's a pump tap at the sink to draw cold water from the 60 litre tank, so if you want hot water for washing or bathing, you'll need to boil some water on the cooktop or take along a portable gas hot water unit.

Inside living

There’s good access through the side tent door to the rear hard floor area, which is big enough for a table and two camp chairs, or perhaps a single camp bed or portable bunks if you want to holiday with small children or the grand-kids.

With plenty of headroom it feels airy and spacious inside, especially if you roll up the canvas flaps on a few of the large screened windows on all sides of the camper tent.

At 2130mm x 1350mm, the 10cm thick, medium density foam mattress is a good size for two adults, and each side gets a flexible reading light and twin USB sockets.

The mattress base lifts up easily to provide access to the optional battery, as well as decent storage space for clothes and other items as long as you don’t fill it up too much with optional canvas walls and awning poles.

As well as the usual external 240V inlet and outlet sockets, the Weekender also came with a couple of 240V internal sockets, plus other 12V powerpoints included as part of the Light Off Road Power pack

What’s missing?

There’s a gas bayonet near the kitchen to hook up a BBQ, but the Weekender misses out on a drawbar tap. You'll also need to carry a fridge in your tow vehicle as there’s no option on the camper itself, unless you try and squeeze one in an optional front toolbox ($504) or the Mini Fridge Box ($1208).

Most of the storage space is under the bed, which you need to open the camper to access, and external storage is limited with the standard package. 60 litre water storage and (optional) battery should be sufficient for some time off the grid, if you’re not too wasteful.

As far as options go, $2100 for the Light Off Road Power Pack fitted to the review camper appears money well spent, adding internal and external 12V and USB sockets, 100Ah battery, Projecta 240V battery charger and monitor, Anderson connection, bedside light stalk and LED strip light.

Another enticing option is the $990 XT pack, which adds large (1150mm) A-frame toolbox, pole carrier and stainless steel side shelf.

However, adding too many costly and weight-gaining options to the Weekender somewhat defeats the purpose of this very light and affordable trailer.

Summing up

While the Cub Weekender might miss out on a few standard features fitted to entry-level Chinese-built campers, it's still competitively priced once you factor in the quality build and ease of use.

The fact that it’s light and compact enough to be dragged away at a moment’s notice by any number of smaller tow vehicles, is icing on the cake.

Specs: Cub Campers Weekender 2019

Travel length: 3950mm
Body length: 2230mm
External body width: 1700mm
Travel height: 1300mm
Tare weight: 621kg (as reviewed)
ATM: 900kg
Ball weight (Tare): 64kg (approx.)
Body: Steel frame and panels
Chassis: Galvanised 75 x 50 x 2.5mm
Suspension: Al-KO leaf
Brakes: Over-ride discs
Wheels: 15in steel with 205/65R15 Goodyear Cargo G26 tyres
Fresh water: 60L
Battery: 1 x 100Ah (optional)
Air-conditioner: N/A
Gas: 1 x 9kg
Cooking: Dometic two-burner gas, sink with hand pump
Fridge: Optional
Toilet: NA
Shower: NA
Lighting: 12V LED
TV: NA
Price: From $17,990 drive-away
Options fitted: Light Off Road Power Pack ($2100)
Supplied by: Outback HQ, Bayswater, Victoria
More info: Cub Campers, Sydney, NSW