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NEWS
Cub resets ‘electric’ camper bar
Locally-designed and tested auto opener for less than $2500 has world patentLong-standing Australian camper trailer manufacturer Cub has stolen a march on some of its imported rivals by developing its own press button auto opener that works on all its models – starting from $13,000 fitted.
Developed by Cub's founder Roger Fagan, who spent around 1000 hours over two and a half years developing the EZ-X system during his semi-retirement in his NSW Southern Highlands ‘shed’ – aka the Cub proving ground and testing facility – the accessory is claimed to be far simpler and less problematic than other auto openers on the market, including those fitted to Australia’s most expensive camper trailers.
Operating via a remote control, that allows the user to tuck in the canvas on a hard floor model while the folding process is in progress, the Cub auto opener is a one-size-fits-all device that works on both the largest and smallest Cub models.
It was launched at the recent Sydney Caravan Supershow, where Fagan took pride in demonstrating it on a current model Explorer hard-floor camper, startling onlookers as he sat at a nearby coffee bar!
He said his focus in developing the auto opener from the outset has been on reliability “as many Cub owners tour remote areas of the Outback”.
To ensure this, the test camper had been opened and closed more than 1200 times – the equivalent to 30 years of normal use – and during the test period he towed it over 11,000km without the slightest hiccup, including a return trip to Dirk Hartog Island in Western Australia.
Should the electric mechanism malfunction for any reason, he said it could easily be disassembled to allow manual opening via the standard winch, mounted on the front storage boot.
To protect the innovative design, Cub has taken out a worldwide patent, as Fagan says importers in the past have copied many unique Cub features.
“I had lots of failures at first,” he admitted, “but one morning I woke at 3am with the solution to make it simple and reliable and that’s what I have patented.”
The system bolts onto all Cub models and retails for $2490, although it was offered for ‘Show Special’ pricing between $1500-2000 at the Sydney show.
Fagan says he appreciates that the electric auto opener is not for everyone, which is why it is an option and not a standard feature.
“Younger travellers have no trouble opening and packing up our campers, but we have many customers who love the camper trailer lifestyle and living under canvas, who lose upper-body strength as they get older.
“But even if you’re young and fit, the auto lifter is still a very worthwhile option at the price, because it widens the market into which you can sell your camper in years to come.”
Fagan says Cub was also considering putting a smaller front winch on those campers fitted with the electric lifter, considering it would likely only ever be used as a back-up.
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Written byMichael Browning
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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