Rocks. imotorhome. Win! Revisiting Trakka s off-road star... because getting there is half the fun... Trakkadu

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1 imotorhome because getting there is half the fun... Trakkadu Rocks Revisiting Trakka s off-road star... Win! $50 Caltex Fuel Card! Issue 29: July magazine Lock & Load! Frontline s HiAce with a difference... Diary of a Cook-Up... Mrs imotorhome looks at non-lpg cooking options!

2 30 Trakkadu Revisited Spending quality time in Trakka s quality allterrain campervan... Review and images by Richard Robertson.

Malcolm Street in Issue 17 (19 January this year). So why am I reviewing it again you ask? Well, there s a story.

3 31 The Trakkadu s compact dimensions mean stopping to cook/rest/relax almost anywhere is possible, unobtrusively. Various models of Trakka s Trakkadu range have been reviewed more times in this magazine than any other vehicle; starting with Allan Whiting s write-up in Issue 3 (2 June 2012) and most recently by Malcolm Street in Issue 17 (19 January this year). So why am I reviewing it again you ask? Well, there s a story... Looking for non-road-test story ideas a few months back, I was chewing the fat one day with Trakka s Sally Berry when the idea emerged about getting Mrs imotorhome to try her hand at cooking on the Webasto diesel cook top. This new and sometimes misunderstood cooker is now standard in all Trakkadus, the Trakkaway 700 and is being ordered in Rear-hinged roof provides plenty of living area headroom. increasing numbers by buyers of other Trakka vehicles. So a date was set and a vehicle arranged. I chose a Trakkadu because I hadn t driven one for several years and wanted to reacquaint myself with what is undoubtedly the best campervan in Australia. And so a Trakkadu AT All Terrain came to live with us for a week as a mobile kitchen, daily driver and day-tripper. Fit For Purpose The thing to bear in mind with the Trakkadu (or any vehicle in this class) is that it is a campervan, not

It s a vehicle you use as a base for outdoor activities rather than sitting inside and enjoying the outdoor view.

4 32 Above and below: From any angle the Trakkadu AT is an impressive looking vehicle. a mini motorhome. By that I mean it s intended for people who like to live outdoors and are (probably) used to camping. It s a vehicle you use as a base for outdoor activities rather than sitting inside and enjoying the outdoor view. Interior space, whilst generous, is limited in the ultimate terms, as is the sleeping accommodation, while the lack of a bathroom requires night time weewee walks or a porta potty inside. The flipside is that this is a vehicle that can be your only car and even double as a small people mover, so it s family friendly (a roof bed for kids is optionally available). It will fit on most suburban driveways, under most carports and in many garages. In fact its features and abilities make it perhaps the most versatile dayto-day vehicle on the road. Trakka s Trakkadu campervan range comes in five flavours, starts at $87,500 drive away and goes to quite a lot more. The numbers 103 and 132 represent engine power in

terrain AWD 7-speed DSG auto Trakkadu ORP Premium AWD with Off Road Pak 6-speed low-range manual only Optional rear view camera has guide lines that bend if you re turning, to show your trajectory.

5 33 Multi-function trip computer even tells you when the next service is due. kilowatts (where no number is listed it s the biggie). The models are: Trakkadu 103 Entry level 2WD with 7-speed DSG auto Trakkadu 132 Premium 2WD or AWD with 7-speed DSG auto Trakkadu ABT Premium Sportz AWD 7-speed DSG auto Trakkadu AT Premium all terrain AWD 7-speed DSG auto Trakkadu ORP Premium AWD with Off Road Pak 6-speed low-range manual only Optional rear view camera has guide lines that bend if you re turning, to show your trajectory. Das Auto I hadn t been behind the wheel of a Volkswagen T5 for a few years and its ongoing refinement was evident. When I last tested a Trakkadu it had VW s 5-cylinder 2.5-litre turbo-diesel. It was a good engine that used gear drive for most of its ancillaries, instead of belts, but it had a rather coarse note that seemed to be amplified by a bull bar or engine bash plates on off-road models. It was also only available with a manual transmission.

34 The T5 now sports a much more high-tech 4-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engine, with 1 turbocharger on 103 kw models and 2 on the 132s.

Direktschaltgetriebe in German, or Direct Shift Gearbox to you and me.

Much quicker: About 8 milliseconds for an upshift and 600 for a downshift.

6 34 The T5 now sports a much more high-tech 4-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engine, with 1 turbocharger on 103 kw models and 2 on the 132s. Importantly, after an eon, Volkswagen finally offers its popular and advanced 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox to T5 customers. What s DSG? Direktschaltgetriebe in German, or Direct Shift Gearbox to you and me. In a nutshell it s two manual gearboxes and two clutches in a single housing that s computer controlled to changed gears quicker than you can say imotorhome. Much quicker: About 8 milliseconds for an upshift and 600 for a downshift. It s a totally different system to the automated manual transmission in a Fiat Ducato, for example, which is a normal manual transmission with a bolt-on computer control module that makes all the gearshifts for you. There has been much negative press recently surrounding the Volkswagen DSG gearbox, but the good news for T5 owners is that the seven speed unit in it is different to the six speed unit being recalled. Getting back to the engine, the twin-turbo arrangement is designed to offset the engine s lack of capacity by providing one turbo for off-idle (low speed) work and the second for mid-to-high range power. The figures of 132 kw and 400 Nm from such a small engine Optional silver paint is a big ticket item. So easy even; guess I d better not say that! Dash is as modern and well finished as most luxury cars.

7 35 No matter the road surface the Trakkadu AT is remarkably sure footed and confidence inspiring. The Cooper all terrain tyres work a treat, too.

36 are excellent, as is the quoted official combined average fuel figure of 8.4 L/100 km (33.6 mpg) from a 3-tonne AWD van. aspect ratio adding about 25 mm (1 inch) of ground clearance.

when the computer detects wheel spin up front. There is also an electric rear diff lock to aid traction in very slippery/ difficult situations.

8 36 are excellent, as is the quoted official combined average fuel figure of 8.4 L/100 km (33.6 mpg) from a 3-tonne AWD van. aspect ratio adding about 25 mm (1 inch) of ground clearance. Moving Experience Jumping behind the wheel revealed the depth of the Volkswagen/Seikel/Trakka In normal operation the Trakkadu AT operates in front-wheel drive, with the rear wheels coming into play when the computer detects wheel spin up front. There is also an electric rear diff lock to aid traction in very slippery/ difficult situations. To enhance its rough and off-road abilities the AT comes with a German Seikel-brand heavy duty suspension lift kit that includes a substantial engine bash plate. It also comes with upgraded 215/60 R17 all terrain tyres, although the test vehicle had experimental oversize 225/65 R17 Cooper all terrains fitted; the added width and increased Reversing uphill through this was easy with the rear diff-lock engaged. Interior design is clean, stylish and totally practical.

Handling was safe, predictable and confidence inspiring and even on wet bitumen, loose gravel and muddy dirt roads the AT didn t put a wheel wrong.

9 37 engineering union. Quiet, fast and comfortable the highriding Trakkadu AT exhibited no noticeable body roll. The ride was controlled and compliant there was no indication I was driving anything other than a standard Trakkadu. Handling was safe, predictable and confidence inspiring and even on wet bitumen, loose gravel and muddy dirt roads the AT didn t put a wheel wrong. Part of the praise must go to the Cooper All Terrain tyres; a result I certainly wasn t expecting. About a decade ago I had Cooper all terrains on a four-wheel drive ute and found them slippery in the extreme in wet weather. Ever since I ve been biased against Cooper Tyres, but these certainly changed my mind. Driving aside, did I find the Trakkadu AT perfect? Not quite. With the dining table stowed behind the driver s seat there wasn t enough legroom for my liking, and even with it removed Electrical (left) and diesel cooker controls. Note driver s seat tight against the bench, plus clever silver rail for sliding the adjustable table. an extra inch or so would ve been appreciated. That s an interior design compromise that could easily be addressed. The same proximity between the kitchen bench and driver s seat prevented the seat from swivelling right around. I d gladly lose six inches or so from the bench to achieve it, but that s just my preference. The sliding rear seat with integrated seatbelts for two that folds down to become the bed is an engineering work of art. I d like the bed to be wider and would sacrifice some cupboard depth to achieve it, but again that s a personal preference. Like all Trakkadus the AT abounds with thoughtful Bed/seat folds very flat but we borrowed this excellent memory foam overlay. Recommended!

38 Just testing! We didn t sleep in it (-2 at night!) but bed is cosy and comfortable, although a bit wider would be good. New LED spotlights are dimable. Note separate room light in base.

For a full rundown of the Trakkadu s fitout and features read and/or download a copy of Malcolm's review from our January 2 issue here.

10 38 Just testing! We didn t sleep in it (-2 at night!) but bed is cosy and comfortable, although a bit wider would be good. New LED spotlights are dimable. Note separate room light in base. engineering touches; from the LED strip lights inside the edge of the awning to the all-new stick-on solar panel on the pop-top roof that adds almost no weight or height to the vehicle. For a full rundown of the Trakkadu s fitout and features read and/or download a copy of Malcolm's review from our January 2 issue here. My Thoughts The T5 Volkswagen is a quality vehicle to begin with and in standard Trakkadu AT guise it looks and feels like a quality European car as it should do for $119,500 drive away. The test vehicle s appeal was enhanced by a range of options that included metallic paint ($2500), alloy bull bar ($2350), the five special Cooper tyres ($1850), side/thorax airbags ($690), leather upholstery ($4250), integrated RNS510 sound system with satnav and reversing camera ($3580), hot water with a rear shower ($890) and a 128 W solar charging system ($1500). All-up it listed at $137,110 drive away, which puts it in a rarified price bracket for a campervan. And I d still want to add a diesel room heater ($2490) and a towbar and electrics ($1050). Yes, for that sort of money you could buy a full size motorhome, but that s an apples and oranges argument. What you get for your money with the Trakkadu AT is the best designed, best quality campervan available. If you re a camping/outdoor/exploring sort of person who wants one vehicle to do everything, from the daily commute to extended holidays, this is it.

11 39 For remote bush camping the Trakkadu AT is in a class of its own.

12 40 Specifications Manufacturer Trakka Model Trakkadu AT Base Vehicle Volkswagen Transporter T5 4 Motion (AWD) Engine 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel Power rpm Torque rpm Gearbox 7-speed DSG auto Brakes ABS Ventilated Disc Tare Weight 2550 kg Gross Vehicle Mass 3200 kg Licence Car Passengers 4 External Length 5.29 m (17 ft 4 in) External Width 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) External Height 2.13 m (6 ft 7 in) Internal Height 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in) Rear Bed Size 1.95 m x 1.25 m (6 ft 5 in x 4 ft) Roof Bed Size (optional) 1.8 m x 1.2 m (5 ft 11 in x 3 ft 8 in) Cooktop Webasto diesel Fridge Waeco 80 litre Microwave n/a Lighting 12V LED Batteries 1 x 100 AH Gas n/a Heater Optional (Diesel) Solar Panels Optional Air Conditioner n/a Hot Water Heater Optional Toilet n/a Shower External, flex hose Fresh Water Tank 55-litres Grey Water Tank 38-litres Price as tested $137,110 on road NSW Pros T5 VW quality Economy Safety Driving experience Versatility Quick and simple setup AWD versatility Extra ground clearance Cons Limited driver legroom Limited driver seat swivel Price Contact Trakka 9 Beaumont Rd, Mt-Kuring-gai NSW Click for Google Maps Ph: W: E: trakka@trakka.com.au

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