Ah, the virtues of a Hummer. Off-pavement ability, aggressive styling and … family-friendliness? Things have certainly changed under the Hummer banner. Match it with R-Vision’s smartly appointed Bantam Flier, and you have a family-friendly combo that’s perfectly suited to weekend getaways and happy camping.
The H3 is the little brother to the beefy H1 Alpha and H2 SUT, and its appearance takes full advantage of its heritage. The little guy features the same squared-off lines as its siblings, the same in-your-face styling and the same aggressive approach angles.
Our test H3 sported the seven-slot louvered grille, the round headlights and the embossed skid plate that have become trademarks of the brand. The door handles and mirror caps received the chrome treatment, as did the wheels. The tubular-steel running boards were a nice touch.
Trail-Lite, a subsidiary of R-Vision, specifically designed the Bantam Flier to be towable by smaller family vehicles such as vans and mid-size SUVs, making it the perfect fit for the H3. The model F21RBH we tested features a fold-out tent-platform queen bed up front, a convertible dinette and two bunks in the back that will no doubt have the kids arguing over who gets the top space.
In travel mode, the queen bed folds flat against the front wall. Once you’ve reached your destination, a couple of flips of the lockable exterior levers up front and the pop-out queen bed is deployed.
The kitchen area is par for the course for a trailer of this size. A three-burner stove, an oven and a microwave all share space with the sink streetside, while a Dometic refrigerator is located across the kitchen curbside. The self-contained bathroom is set apart from the main area of the trailer, and a handy curtain can be pulled to section off the bunk area and the bathroom.
The well-appointed Bantam Flier knows its market, and fits the bill perfectly for family getaways. Throw in the versatile Hummer H3, and you’ve got a fun lash-up that satisfies mom, dad and the little ones as well.
Pick up the April 2006 issue of Trailer Life for full test impressions and details on the Hummer H3 and the Trail-Lite Bantam Flier — then subscribe to Trailer Life, so you can stay informed on the latest tests, previews, tow vehicles, and technical and RV-lifestyle information.
R-Vision Inc., (574) 268-2111, trail-lite.com.
