Top Camper Brands: Cub Campers’ Legacy
Cub Campers an Australian icon
Cub Campers are one of the few RV manufacturers that have been around for decades, and that means they have an immense understanding of the industry. Let’s see how Cub Campers got their origins.
What’s the origin story behind Cub Campers? Who started Cub, when was it founded and what was the main reason for its beginnings?
In 1968, retired pharmacist, John Fagan, purchased a small block of flats with an adjoining box trailer business in Lakemba, NSW. The initial plan was to rent out the flats and outsource the business, but John’s son Roger convinced his father that they could weld up their own trailers in a shed out the back.
The first campers were pretty simple – just a mattress on a box trailer under a canopy with a window at the front, but they sold, and by the early ‘70s, Cub had moved to a new factory where they also began building horse floats, a line which was continued very successfully until the late 1990s. The camper trailer evolution continued, with the world’s first soft floor camper, a rear-fold design called the Trailer Camper.
In 1979, the decision was made to get into the rear floor designs fold hard which still form the core of the company’s output today. They designed a cantilever rack to help open the top. Later, Roger developed the Ezy-Wind system which, with the assistance of gas struts, made the campers almost self-operating and opened the market for campers to people of all ages.
It has been over 50 years since the first Cub Camper was built and the company has come a long way. With 9 models, comprised of varying sizes and setups – including hard floor rear folds, forward folds and a double fold – to cater to the needs of Australian campers.
One thing that remains the same is Cub’s dedication to Australian manufacturing while many others have moved their production overseas. All Cubs are still made in Sydney using only Australian Canvas and Steel to ensure that our campers are made tough enough to withstand the harshest Australian conditions.
What would you say Cub is known for, or your point of difference to other manufactures in the industry?
Cub is the longest-running camper trailer manufacturer in Australia, known for providing exceptional-quality camper trailers built to tackle the harshest Outback conditions. Like the company itself, Cubs are known to stand the test of time and it’s not uncommon to see models from the ‘80s and ‘90s on campsites across Australia to this day.
As you mentioned, Cub Campers is the longest-running camper trailer manufacturer in Australia, what do you attribute this success to?
Dedication to continuous improvement
Evolving to meet the demands of a changing market
Commitment to Australian manufacturing, utilising high-quality local steel and canvas for maximum durability
Exceptional customer service and after-sales service
As a successful brand, you clearly know what works best for Cub. Which brands of components do Cub Campers prefer to work with?
Redarc
Wax Converters
Bluescope steel
Alko
Across your range, which product from Cub is the staff’s favourite? And which is the most popular with your customers?
Due to the diverse nature of the Cub family, who have a variety of camping choices, it’s difficult to pinpoint a standout favourite. There is just as much preference for the forward/double folds as the rear folds.
We have found that since its release in 2016, the Frontier has been a customer favourite. With customer feedback, we have recently taken this Frontier to the next level with the New Frontier.
You mentioned that Cub Campers are all made in Australia. Where in the country are they made?
All Cubs originate from our factory in North Rocks NSW.
Our staff are passionate about what they do and it gives them a sense of satisfaction to know that they’re making a product that people go out and enjoy, building lasting memories with their families.
It’s incredibly rewarding to hear from families who have bought Cubs over the years and tell us the stories of their adventures around Australia.
Being dedicated to Australian manufacturing and quality standards as you have mentioned Cub Campers is, it shows that quality is of the utmost importance to you, so how do you test your campers?
There are 4 quality gates that each camper must pass through as it progresses through the production line. This ensures that if there is anything that doesn’t meet our quality standards, the issue can be rectified immediately before the trailer reaches the next stage of production.
Once the trailer rolls off the line, it goes through an extensive Quality Assurance check, during which we check and test every element of the trailer. This ensures that the finish and welds are without imperfections, there are no leaks in the canvas, nowhere for dust to get into the camper, and all electrical and mechanical components are working correctly.
Find your new or used Cub Camper trailer for sale by clicking here.
When a new model is developed, we take the prototype out for rigorous field testing. Tackling some of the toughest tracks in NSW, we take on the mindset of our most adventurous customers and throw everything we can at the camper to ensure that every aspect of the camper is fit for purpose.
Cub is clearly in the business due to its love of travelling and exploring the country, do you have any top destinations you recommend everyone visit?
Cape York is the perfect trip for the adventurous camper. There are few tracks in Australia that can pose the challenge offered by the infamous Telegraph track, but if you’ve got a good 4WD vehicle and a well-made camper trailer, you can be confident that you’ll have no issues making it to the end.
Fraser Island is the ideal beach getaway for those who love the beach but hate the crowds. Fraser is like having your own little slice of paradise, with nothing but coastline and seagulls as far as you can see.
The Gibb River Road track is considered to be one of the best 4WD trips and should be on every adventurer’s bucket list. It’s a long trip, potentially taking up to 3 weeks depending on who you ask, but there’s loads to see along the way.
Along those lines, what are three tips you would like customers to know to enjoy Cub’s campers to the fullest?
Option your camper to suit your lifestyle – A key benefit of choosing a Cub is the ability to choose from a wide range of customisation options so you can fit out your camper to suit your needs.
Don’t be afraid to take on the tough tracks. Cubs are built tough and anywhere you vehicle can go, you can be confident that you Cub will follow.
Choose the right model for your camping needs. The Cub range is diverse so whether you’re a single bloke heading off to Cape York, a family with three kids, or anything in-between, Cub has a model that will suit your needs.
Finally, what is one piece of information you would give to both first-time and experienced buyers?
Whatever you choose, the key to enjoying your getaway is a quick and easy to set up camper trailer. Nothing can ruin a camping trip like having to spend hours setting up a campsite.
MORE INFORMATION
What are your current models?
Weekend
Explorer
Brumby
Traveller
Escape
Longreach LE
Scout
Drifter
For those wanting to get in contact or check out a camper, whereabouts are Cub Campers dealerships and showrooms located?
We have 11 dealerships in Australia and New Zealand that sell Cub Campers.
Newcastle Camper Trailers – Newcastle, NSW
Wagga Caravan Centre – Wagga Wagga, NSW
TJM Canberra – Canberra, ACT
Cub QLD – Brisbane, QLD
4WD Central – Townsville, QLD
Melbourne Camper Trailer Centre – Melbourne, VIC
Dave Benson Caravans – Adelaide, SA
Off Road Equipment – Perth, WA
D&E Outdoors – Ashburton, NZ
The Next Steps
A camper trailer could be what you need to add more adventure to your weekends, check out the latest offers from CUB Campers here.