COTY Reviews: Cub Campers C16
Next-gen Cub
Cub Campers returned to COTY this year with an updated take on its fan-favourite C16, which first impressed us back in 2022. With its Aussie-made quality, off-grid capability and upgraded internal layout, it drew plenty of attention.
It’s been a few years now since Cub Campers made the move from camper trailers into the hybrid caravan space, and loyal Cub owners just love them.
We saw the first iteration of the C16 at COTY a few years ago, but after several years out in the field and customer feedback on its liveability, it has undergone a redesign that now includes a split ensuite at the rear, replacing its previous toilet/shower combination.
The C16 is classified as a luxury hybrid caravan and is priced accordingly, starting at $139,990. The model we judged had been optioned up with a king bed, disc brakes, a 600Ah off-grid battery pack, a washing machine and a portable induction cooktop, so it came in at $146,990
The new and improved C16 would suit couples downsizing from a large family van or who want more convenience and comfort than a camper trailer offers.
Build Quality
Cub has been building tough, go-anywhere camper trailers for more than six decades out of its Sydney factory, and it applies the same rigour to build quality in the construction of its hybrid range.
The hot-dip galvanised 150mm x 50mm chassis is built in-house. The C16 uses fully composite, frameless construction, making it very light, with a tare of 2209kg and an ATM of 2800kg. With this weight and a single axle, it is easy to tow and manoeuvre down tight tracks, aided by the low poptop design. Raptor coating protects the panels from stones, and there is a stone guard up front.
The C16 has Cruisemaster ATX airbag suspension, DO35 coupling, alloy Method wheels, Yokohama X-AT tyres, 12in hydraulic disc brakes (electric are standard) and an electric awning.
The diesel tank for the heating and hot water is located up front, where there’s also a storage locker with two 4kg gas bottles on either side to fuel the hotplates in the external slide-out kitchen. The rear is simple and uncluttered — a rear bumper and a spare wheel.
Liveability and Ease of Use
This is a hybrid van, so you will do most of your cooking outside on the external slide-out kitchen, which features the beautiful, textured stainless-steel Rimex finish that goes on all Cub’s hybrid vans. Fitting neatly under the awning, the outside kitchen has gas hotplates, a sink and drawers. Next to it is a built-in pantry with shelves and a drop-down picnic table.
Towards the front, there is a generous tunnel boot, a slide for a 90L fridge and a hot/cold outdoor shower connection.
There’s always a real wow factor when you step inside a Cub hybrid, and this latest iteration of the C16 is no exception.
Taking up much of the internal space is the massive king-size bed — slightly elevated via a step to make space for two long storage drawers underneath. There are windows on three sides up the front — the two side windows are extra-large — deliberately designed to let the outside in.
An upholstered bedhead makes it possible to sit up in bed comfortably. While reading lights, recessed mood lighting and the signature felted fabric walls just add to the sense of luxury that you get from a Cub. Controls for the fans, air-conditioning and heating are close at hand when you’re in bed.
While the addition of the split ensuite at the rear of the C16 will be welcomed by many, it has meant losing a bit of living space. There’s a small kitchen with a sink, cupboards, drawers and bench space for a portable induction hotplate if you need to cook inside. There’s a 185L upright Thetford fridge and an NCE combination microwave/air-fryer/convection oven above it. The remainder of the living space comprises a small swivel table and a bench seat for two people.
A concertina door separates the ensuite from the kitchen area. There’s a large shower, an OGO composting toilet and a vanity with the beautiful Rimex finish. Our review van came with a wall-mounted 3kg NCE washing machine, but this is an optional extra.
Innovation
Lying back in that luxurious king-size bed, taking in the views through those large windows which let in the natural light — if I owned a C16, that’s where I would spend much of my time.
The C16 might have been through a redesign, but it hasn’t lost any of its wow factor. Outside, it looks very clean and uncluttered, with minimal decals and only available in pale grey. It’s a single-axle, lightweight, easy-to-tow unit that boasts all the features you’ll need for outdoor living.
Inside, getting a full-width rear split ensuite into a 16ft (4.87m) van, which also has an optioned-up king-size bed, has been a stroke of genius.
During the last six decades of manufacturing, Cub has built up a legion of loyal fans and there’s a reason why eight out of 10 of their sales are repeat customers. Owners love their Cub hybrid vans with their tough Aussie build, practicality outside and luxury indoors.
Customer Care
Cub leans into something that matters for a lot of buyers here — backing how Australians actually use their vans. The headline is a seven-year structural and manufacturing warranty for 2026 models, which is strong on paper, but more importantly reflects a brand that understands the kind of punishment these things cop. Chassis, suspension and framework are covered — and that’s where confidence starts.
Like most of the industry, Cub passes responsibility for major components back to their original manufacturers. That means your fridge, air conditioner and electrical gear sit under their own warranties, which is standard practice but does fragment the ownership experience a bit. The upside is that Cub is using proven gear — notably the Cruisemaster ATX suspension — which carries its own backing (typically up to five years depending on spec and servicing) and has strong support right across Australia.
Support is handled through Cub’s dealer network, which works well given its footprint, but does mean the experience can vary depending on who you’re dealing with. Pre-approval for repairs is required — again, standard — but something to be aware of if you’re travelling remotely.
There’s nothing flashy here, but it feels aligned with how Aussies use trailers: solid fundamentals, proven components, and a clear — if fairly traditional — path to getting things sorted when something goes wrong.
Self-Sufficiency
The Cub C16 we tested was fitted for remote travel with the 300L water (two 100L freshwater tanks and a 100L grey water tank) and a 720W solar ‘Offgrid Pack’, and it shows. This is a setup that feels built around how people actually use these vans, rather than chasing big numbers for their own sake. In real terms, 300L is enough for a couple to comfortably stretch out to a couple of weeks, if they’re sensible with it, which puts the C16 right in the sweet spot for extended touring.
The electrical side backs that up. The combination of a large 600Ah lithium battery bank and 720W of solar means that, in good conditions, the system should keep itself topped up with little thought. Even in poor weather, there’s enough reserve to run the van for three to five days before you need to manage usage more closely.
What stands out is that it all feels usable. It’s not overly complex, and it doesn’t rely on extreme capacity to get the job done. While some competitors push bigger numbers, Cub’s approach is more balanced and, in practice, more than capable for the kind of off-grid travel most owners will realistically do. It’s a strong, well-executed setup that scored highly for that reason.
X-Factor
Cub’s X-factor comes from something you don’t always see on a spec sheet — and that’s the way it feels inside. Despite its relatively compact layout, the use of large, oversized windows on both sides of the van brings in a great deal of natural light, creating a real sense of space and openness. It doesn’t feel cramped, and that makes a genuine difference when you’re spending time inside.
Beyond that, there’s a strong sense of identity in how it’s built. This is an Australian-made product, and importantly, one where anything that can be made locally is. That shows in the workmanship. There’s a level of care in the way it’s put together that reflects a team that takes pride in what they’re building — and that carries through to the ownership experience.
It’s not about being the flashiest van in the field. The appeal here is more grounded — a combination of honest craftsmanship, a well-judged footprint and an interior that feels comfortable and easy to live with.
It’s a van you’d be proud to own — and that’s what gives it its edge.
Value for money
Cub competes in a heady list of Australian-made hybrid caravans that are similarly priced, all marketed to buyers who want quality and a proven, locally built product. In Cub’s case, loyal customers have generations of experience that lead them back to the brand. Those new to Cub will be attracted to the hand-built quality construction and a list of familiar names in the reliable equipment.
Resale value of campers from the 1980s still commands a premium because the Cub product has been built to last and designed to be practical and efficient.
I like the upmarket finishes in this latest C16 and the thoughtful use of space that brings such a generous ensuite into a compact 16ft van. With a starting price of $139,990, the van under review has upgrades, including Method Wheels, disc brakes, an Off-Grid Pack with improved battery, solar and water capacities, a washing machine and a king-size bed, bringing the total to $146,244.
Given the quality and go-anywhere capability that will last a lifetime of hard-road travel, that’s a fair price, and I rated the value highly.
Towability
At 2209kg tare weight, the C16 is beefy for its modest length simply because it’s packed with features. Even so, its low-slung and relatively lightweight nature compared to a full-size caravan delivered a happy towing experience. The Cruisemaster ATX airbag suspension is rated to carry a much higher load than the 2800kg ATM, giving it welcome over-engineered redundancy on really tough tracks and a smooth ride on the bitumen. The optional disc brakes worked smoothly and powerfully when needed.
The ball weight when empty was 210kg, or 9.5 per cent of the tare weight, which is spot on for trouble-free towing.
Our towing test route with an unladen van included country B roads and some gravel tracks through the picturesque hills along Falls Road in Strath Creek, Vic. The C16’s compact size was an advantage when turning sharply and backing into confined spaces, as you might expect from a single-axle design. The downside of that was a tendency to move around a bit at speed on undulating tar roads — but I think it would settle down with more weight on board.
Suitability for intended touring
Cub’s heritage stems from building practical, robust campers capable of reaching remote locations, and that lifestyle flows through to its range of luxury hybrid caravans.
The series of C16 models has seen a gradual progression to this latest version, featuring a roomy ensuite with a separate shower and a composting toilet. While the combination shower-and-toilet in the original version appealed to practical souls, the market now calls for room at the loo, and the 2026 Cub King–Rear Ensuite layout will appeal to a wider audience.
With remote destinations in mind, the C16 is designed to handle corrugated roads and rough bush tracks. Its 2.23m (7ft 3in) width will tuck in neatly behind tow vehicles, and it’s low enough to avoid most overhanging branches.
Allison has outlined the C16’s liveability, so I won’t go into it in depth for comfort and cooking, except to note that owners will be those who appreciate an outdoor lifestyle for cooking and relaxing. The limited indoor seating isn’t designed for long nights inside. However, that monster bed is perfect for lazing away with a book or a movie if the weather turns sour.
Cub’s website now has a build-your-van feature that lets buyers choose options, colours and layouts. Prices and weights change as you add your choices. While exploring the system, I noted, however, that adding heavier items, such as the heavy-duty rear bar, can start to impinge on the allowed ATM, so care will be needed when loading the van. The maximum 591kg payload could soon be eaten up, which might be a consideration if you like to carry an excess of equipment and water.
The new C16 is a thoughtful evolution of what Cub does best — tough on the outside, comfortable where it counts and built for the kind of touring Australians actually do, now with a full-width ensuite that many buyers will welcome.
CUB CAMPERS C16
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Overall length 7.45m (24ft 4in)
External body length 5.3m (16ft 2in)
Internal body length 4.87m (16ft)
Width 2.23m (7ft 3in)
Travel height 3.1m (10ft 2in)
Internal height 1.98m (6ft 5in)
Tare 2209kg
ATM 2800kg
Payload 591kg (calculated)
Ball weight at tare 210kg
Ball to tare ratio 9.5%
EXTERNAL
Frame Frameless composite
Cladding Fibreglass
Chassis 150mm x 50mm x 3mm hot dip galvanised
Suspension Cruisemaster ATX airbag
Coupling Cruisemaster DO35
Brakes 12in hydraulic discs (electric standard)
Wheels 17" Method alloy (optional) with 285/70 R17 Yokohama X-AT
Water 1x 100L freshwater, 1x 100L grey water
Battery 2x 150Ah lithium (600Ah total)
Inverter 3000W REDARC
Solar 360W
Air-conditioner Eberspacher 3.6kW
Gas 2 x 4kg
Sway control BMPRO stability control
Cooking Slide-out kitchen with three-burner gas cooktop
INTERNAL
Cooking Three-burner gas cooktop and portable induction cooktop (optional)
Microwave 23L NCE combination microwave/air-fryer/convection oven
Fridge 185L Thetford upright compressor
Bathroom Full-width ensuite with separate shower and OGO composting toilet
Washing machine NCE 3kg wall-mounted (optional)
Hot water Diesel
PRICE FROM $139,990
OPTIONS FITTED
12in hydraulic disc brakes
17" Method alloy wheels
Off-grid Pack: 600Ah lithium battery setup, 720W solar, 200L water
King-size bed
NCE 3kg wall-mount washing machine
Portable induction cooktop
PRICE AS SHOWN $146,244
MORE INFORMATION
Cub Campers
23 Loyalty Road
North Rocks NSW 2151
P: 02 8838 8600
E: sales@cubcampers.com.au
W: cubcampers.com.au
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COTY Reviews: Cub Campers C16