5 Most-Common Problems With CUB Campers (Explained)

The Cub Camper brand is one of Australia’s oldest standing folding camper trailer manufacturers.

They are a prolific brand and have several Cub camper models available.

Some common problems arise with these get-up-and-go camper trailers, and while their pros exceed their cons, let’s take a lot at some of the most common problems you may experience as a Cub camper owner:

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1. Two Common Battery Problems

Onboard camper trailer batteries provide power for your camping set-up.

These Cub campers’ power requirements are minimal, and a single 100Ah AGM battery will offer more than enough power.

Too Many Batteries:

However, some Cub campers offer as many as three batteries.

This is unnecessary as it adds weight to your camper and will take longer to charge, especially if they are completely flat.

To avoid power problems and extended charging times, two batteries at most will suffice, especially if you have opted for the BMS30 Cub camper.

This camper comes with an Adventure pack and provides the second battery for the larger model.

The Batteries are Exposed:

The batteries in the Cub camper are exposed beneath the flip-up bed base.

This is not an ideal safety measure, especially around children, and it exposes the battery to other environmental factors, such as dust and water.

When batteries are left exposed, they are more susceptible to corrosion. It is important to remove this corrosion as soon as possible.

To clean the battery terminals, mix one cup of baking soda in a gallon of water and use a toothbrush to clean the terminals.

One suggestion would be to install the battery/ batteries in a battery box. They are a relatively cheap product and are lightweight too.

2. Lack of Kitchen Space

Cub campers feature a pull-out stainless steel kitchen that is equipped with a two-burner Smev cooktop as well as a stainless steel sink.

It sounds quaint and may appear functional; however, this compact kitchen is not practical for preparing meals. There is no standard bench space available to prepare meals on.

One could use the fold-down glass cover over the cooktop, but when cooking food, this will not be available to use.

A Cub camper would suit a flip-over “breakfast bar’, although some do come with side mounting brackets that you could fit a stainless steel benchtop, it is not a standard feature.

3. Winch Strap Eye Bolt Problems

The threaded end of the winch strap’s eyebolt is lengthy and protrudes into the Cub camper’s rear area.

This poses a threat to children’s heads or adults knocking their toes. It may also cause significant damage to an air bed in this space.

The solution to this common problem is either to remove the strap’s eyebolt altogether or to cap the end with a rubber cap or even an acorn nut.

4. Awning Walls and a Tropical Roof

These are considered to be not-standard features.

There Are no Awning Walls:

This is a common complaint amongst Cub camper trailer enthusiasts; awning walls are optional and not standard features.

While the awning offers a lot of room with its 2000 x 5020mm footprint, there are no walls to further enclose the area from the front of the fridge box to behind the rear of the Cub camper’s tent.

This leaves the kitchen and the fridge box exposed, which is not ideal, and we highly recommend opting for a front wall for the awning for added protection.

The Tropical Roof Kit is not a Standard Feature:

A tropical roof kit is optional when purchasing a Cub camper trailer, and many people feel that this should be a standard-essential.

A tropical roof offers protection against condensation, heat, rain, and noise.

All of which are needed to stay dry, warm, and comfortable. It can also curb the damaging effects of mold and mildew, which is caused by condensation.

Unfortunately, this optional extra is not a cheap one, and you may pay anything close to $1,000, if not more.

5. Leaks in the Cub Camper Trailer

Water leaks are a common problem in camper trailers and a problem that is not only relevant to Cub camper trailers.

As your Cub camper ages, its waterproofing properties are compromised and weakened. This is caused by exposure to various elements, including severe sunlight.

Poor maintenance will also affect the waterproofing properties of your Cub camper. If you wash your tent with a harmful liquid to the canvas, it will also have a deteriorating effect.

A common leak found in Cub campers is found around the fold-out beds, especially during rainfall. You can prevent these bunk end water leaks around the door by replacing the black rubber gasket.

Another way to repair the bunk end water leaks is to purchase some 1/4″ rubber sheeting and cut it out into 4 rectangles (1″ x 2″).

Use these rectangles as spacers in between each latch and the bunk end. This will force the bunk end in and make the gasket tighter.

The best part about this quick fix is that it will cost less than $10 and is easy to mend.

General Pros and Cons for Cab Camper Trailers

Pros:

Below are some of the pros of the cub camper trailer, and there are definitely a lot more advantages to this compact camper than disadvantages.

The camper is lightweight at approximately 2,000lbs across the various models. The camper is easy to set up and take down, and the awning can travel attached to the Cub camper for quick set-up.

The heavy-duty canvas is durable and has a long life. There is a good electrical set-up.

Tie-down points are a standard feature to allow loads to be carried on the folded body’s top.

Cons:

• There are common battery problems with these campers, including having too many batteries in some models and no battery covers leave them exposed.
• There is no preparation space in the kitchen area to prepare meals.
• The lengthy winch strap eye bolt is hazardous and may hurt children’s heads, adult toes and cause damage to the air bed.
• There are common complaints about optional features that should be standard instead. This includes awning walls and a tropical roof cover.
• Water leaks are a common problem.

What Do the Reviews Say?

While there is a lot of room on the inside, there is a very high step to get onto the rear floor of the Cub camper.

An easy feat for young adults, but it may offer a challenge for smaller children and the elderly.

“Cubs do have a hefty 500mm high step up onto the rear floor, which may prove a little challenging for older knees, but small steps are cheap and easily carried.”

[Source: Camper.hemax.com]

Many people opt for camper trailers like the Cub camper because they are versatile enough to take just about anywhere.

They are easy to tow and can handle rocky terrain, whereas a large RV is limited to travel.

“As an off-road camper trailer, it’s the real deal, too. It can go anywhere and do just about anything. The coil-spring, independent suspension, is made in-house by Cub and is flawless in most situations.”

[Source: Campertrailerreview.com]

Another great advantage of the Cub camper is that it does not negatively affect your vehicle’s fuel economy because it is light and small.

What’s the Resale Value On Cub Camper Trailers?

MODEL	YEAR	COST
Cub Longreach LE	2020	$49,280
Cub Longreach	2019	$42,000
Cub Longreach	2017	$29,800
Cub Daintree	2013	$14,500
Cub Daintree	2010	$13,000

Final Thoughts:

The common problems experienced with a Cub camper trailer are all relatively small issues, and there is a reasonable solution for each of the cons. There are more than enough great advantages that outweigh the problems.

The Cub camper is easy to travel with, quick to set up, and taking down the camper is a breeze too. Made exclusively in Australia, they boast a lot of space, and some models can sleep up to 6 people comfortably.

With careful maintenance, many problems can be avoided, and the Cub camper’s life will be extended too.

Sources:

Cub Campers Brumby

CUB BRUMBY L.E. REVIEW