About cable lift systems in North American popular popup tent trailers.
I agree with you 100%.Their design is inherently inferior due to overloaded cables, lifting screw and, on top of all, the cable system is located outside and subject to all elements. It is designed to fail at some point.
I understand why they fail on so many trailers, failing to close or to lift. I am confident that a good and reliable cable system can be made for a trailer. Australian Kimberley Karavans seem to have a good record.
BTW air crafts were using cable systems a lot and small ones still do.
In the end we all choose the system that we feel good about for our builds, this is the advantage of DIY.
Cheers!