If perfection were possible, as far as recreational vehicles went, it would probably translate into a product that was compact but very comfortable and spacious, lightweight but capable of increased loads, tough but elegant. This "perfect" RV would be a sum of many contrasts and a long list of opposing features. A unicorn!
We're all old or experienced enough to know that there is no such as "perfection” in an absolute sense – not that ever stopped us from trying to find it. So when you come across a company that invites you to "meet the future of camping" that is "outdoor fun [and] cubed," you must at least give it a few minutes of your time, if not your hard-earned money.
Cube Series is that company, a relatively new name on this segment of the market, but made up of passionate RV-ers with decades-old experience determined to use it to create an innovative product that blows competition away. Earlier this year, Cube Series introduced its flagship product, the Cube Series Camper, a self-contained unit that sits in the bed of most pickup trucks and expands into a four-person home in camp mode.
The Cube Series Camper stands out not just because of its expanding abilities but also for its vacuum-bonded fiberglass and aluminum body. It's that body that "blows up" to RV-like size at the touch of a button, transforming from a low-profile, lightweight add-on into a proper RV that could sleep the entire family. More realistically speaking, though, the Cube Series Camper is probably best with a two-person occupancy on longer stretches, or else it becomes too cramped.
Photo: Cube Series
There's an old saying about how you shouldn't go fixin' what ain't broke, but Cube Series is not entirely in agreement with it. Because it's been working on a new take on the expanding Camper for the past two years, using the same patented mechanism to create an even bigger and more comfortable RV.
That would be the Cube Series Trailer, a towable that still exists as a concept only for now. It's a towable that retains the hottest selling points of the Camper but uses them on a much larger platform, as the name indicates, to deliver "a revolutionary take on the traditional motorhome," a four-season alternative to larger, heavier RVs.
It's a single-axle trailer with a total length of 19.5 feet (6 meters) and a traveling height of 48.25 inches (1.22 meters), so it's relatively compact and quite aerodynamic due to the low, sleek profile. But once you get to camp, like its predecessor, the Trailer expands at the touch of a button: an automated mechanism brings up the roof and the two side walls, while the other two are deployed manually, creating a weather-proof, sturdy home on wheels.
Photo: Cube Series
In camp mode, the Trailer is 88.25 inches (2.24 meters) high, so it offers standing height throughout. Since it's on a much bigger platform, it also offers the creature comforts of an RV and increased sleeping capacity, so you get a small bathroom, a master bedroom, a convertible dinette, and a full kitchen. Add a couple of bunks, and the Trailer can serve as basecamp for up to six people.
The interior is finished in durable materials like aluminum for the cabinetry, vinyl for the floor, and pleather for the dinette. The full gamut of appliances, from microwave to fridge with freezer and cooktop, is available in the kitchen, and there's an electric flushing toilet in the bathroom for that homey touch. The shower is outside on considerations of space – or lack thereof, better said.
An 18000 BTU gas furnace, LED lights, solar panel or generator prep for extended autonomy, and an electric fresh water pump are all on the list of standard features. The Trailer comes with a 19-gallon (72-liter) black water tank, a 30-gallon (114-liter) tank for fresh, and an exterior shower hooked up to the tankless water heater.
Photo: Cube Series
Like its smaller counterpart, the Camper, the Trailer was born out of a desire for a towable that delivered maximum comfort in the most compact and convenient package – preferably one that didn't include canvas walls.
As such, the estimated total weight for the Trailer is under 1,600 lbs (726 kg) when fully equipped, with a 400 lb (181 kg) cargo storage on the roof. Extra storage is available in the front, where you could pack a bike or two, though probably not of the heaviest, electric kind.
Due to its low profile, the Trailer fits in a standard-size garage and parking spot, while the low weight makes it a breeze for towing even with a compact sedan. In short, the Trailer wants to be that "perfect" RV that doesn't exist, and in a way, it is just that because it doesn't exist. Yet.
The Cube Series Trailer is listed as "coming soon" with the Bend, OR-based company, with no other details available regarding its development or timeline. There's this, though: when development is complete, the Trailer will start at $46,262 for the standard spec.
Photo: Cube Series
We reached out to Cube Series for more details and will update the story when and if we hear back. Until then, here's a unicorn RV in CGI form.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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