TESTED: CUB DRIFTER II CAMPER TRAILER
THE CUB DRIFTER II IS A FAMILYFRIENDLY OFF-ROAD CAMPER THAT PROVIDES SO MUCH MORE THAN SHELTER.
AH, CAMPER trailer touring. A bit of a pain in the arse to be towing something around the tracks, let’s be frank, but ever so worth it for the luxury that befalls you at camp. Fully equipped kitchen, room for the family, hot shower, comfy bed and space to retreat out of the elements. Keep your swags, this is luxury living gone mobile.
You’d think, then, that when I took the Cub Drifter II dual-fold hard-floor camper trailer away for an overnighter in the Blue Mountains National Park at six months pregnant, I’d be sitting pretty. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fine-looking camper trailer – one of the best dual-fold family set-ups I’ve seen for off-roading, in fact – but was I sitting pretty?
Unfortunately, as is increasingly the case with camper trailer and caravan reviews these days, I wasn’t actually able to use the Drifter II, lest I soil it for the inevitable owner. Instead, we were met at our chosen campsite by the manufacturer, who brought the camper along for the once-over. It is for that reason that this review will be more of a “here’s what it’s got and how I think it might go”, than a “hell yeah, I bloody loved it”.
Back at camp, I was setting up my alternate accommodation. No camper, no worries; I’d pitch my beloved ultralight hiking tent, purchased for its piddling weight and Chinese-made price tag. Inside I’d roll out my plush, self-inflating camping mattress, bought on a whim from BCF the day before because I’mtoo-goddam-pregnant-now-for-that-flimsyhiking-thing. I’d arrange my mandatory six pillows for head and back and hips and tum comfort. Happy as an upwardlyduffed Larry, right? As I cast my eyes to the sky, I had a moment of doubt.
“Just scud, don’t worry.” This came from fellow 4X4 Australia journo, Scott Mason, who came along to take photos. Scott’s got a brooding, man-of-nature vibe about him that gives you the impression he knows stuff. You know the type, committed creative who clutches a camera like a bible and follows crap weather around to get sexy photos.
As he quietly eyeballed the clouds in the northwest sky through plumes of his own durry smoke, I felt reassured. “Just scud,” I nodded, amused by how ridiculous the same words sounded coming from my mouth. Time to check out this camper trailer.