Issue 29: July 20 2013

iMotorhome magazine because getting there is half the fun... Trakkadu

Win! $50 Caltex Fuel Card! RocksRevisiting Trakka’s off-road star...

Lock & Load! Diary of a Cook-Up... Frontline’s HiAce with a difference... Mrs iMotorhome looks at non-LPG cooking options! Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT 30 Trakkadu

Spending quality time in Trakka’s quality all- Revisitedterrain ... Review and images by Richard Robertson. 30 Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT 31

Revisited

The Trakkadu’s compact dimensions mean stopping to cook/rest/relax almost anywhere is possible, unobtrusively.

arious models of Trakka’s Trakkadu range Vhave 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... Rear-hinged roof provides plenty of living area headroom. Looking for non-road-test story ideas a few months back, I was chewing the fat one day with increasing numbers by buyers so a Trakkadu AT – All Terrain – Trakka’s Sally Berry when the of other Trakka vehicles. came to live with us for a week idea emerged about getting as a mobile kitchen, daily driver So a date was set and a vehicle Mrs iMotorhome to try her hand and day-tripper. arranged. I chose a Trakkadu at cooking on the Webasto because I hadn’t driven one Fit For Purpose diesel cook top. This new and for several years and wanted sometimes misunderstood he thing to bear in mind to reacquaint myself with cooker is now standard in all with the Trakkadu (or what is undoubtedly the best Trakkadus, the Trakkaway T any vehicle in this class) campervan in Australia. And 700 and is being ordered in is that it is a campervan, not Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT 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 in many garages. In fact its range comes in five flavours, friendly (a roof bed for kids is features and abilities make it starts at $87,500 drive away optionally available). It will fit perhaps the most versatile day- and goes to – quite a lot more. on most suburban driveways, to-day vehicle on the road. The numbers 103 and 132 under most carports and represent engine power in Trakka’s Trakkadu campervan 32 Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT 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 Optional rear view camera has guide lines that bend if you’re turning, • Trakkadu ABT – Premium to show your trajectory. ‘Sportz’ AWD 7-speed DSG auto Das Auto drive for most of its ancillaries, • Trakkadu AT – Premium all hadn’t been behind the instead of belts, but it had a terrain AWD 7-speed DSG wheel of a rather coarse note that seemed auto IT5 for a few years and to be amplified by a bull bar its ongoing refinement was or engine bash plates on • Trakkadu ORP – Premium evident. When I last tested a off-road models. It was also AWD with Off Road Pak Trakkadu it had VW’s 5-cylinder only available with a manual 6-speed low-range manual 2.5-litre turbo-diesel. It was a transmission. only good engine that used gear Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT 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 Optional silver paint is a big ticket item. 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 So easy even; guess I’d better not say that! 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 Dash is as modern and well finished as most luxury cars. 34 Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT 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. Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT 36

are excellent, as is the quoted aspect ratio adding about Moving Experience official combined average fuel 25 mm (1 inch) of ground umping behind the wheel figure of 8.4 L/100 km (33.6 clearance. revealed the depth of the mpg) from a 3-tonne AWD . JVolkswagen/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. 36 Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT 37

engineering union. Quiet, fast and comfortable the high- riding 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 Electrical (left) and diesel cooker controls. Note driver’s tight against I had Cooper all terrains on a the bench, plus clever silver rail for sliding the adjustable table. four-wheel drive ute and found them slippery in the extreme in wet weather. Ever since I’ve an extra inch or so would’ve The sliding rear seat with been biased against Cooper been appreciated. That’s an integrated seatbelts for two that Tyres, but these certainly interior design compromise folds down to become the bed changed my mind. that could easily be addressed. is an engineering work of art. The same proximity between I’d like the bed to be wider and Driving aside, did I find the the kitchen bench and driver’s would sacrifice some cupboard Trakkadu AT perfect? Not quite. seat prevented the seat from depth to achieve it, but again With the dining table stowed swivelling right around. I’d that’s a personal preference. behind the driver’s seat there gladly lose six inches or so from wasn’t enough legroom for my the bench to achieve it, but Like all Trakkadus the AT liking, and even with it removed that’s just my preference. abounds with thoughtful

Bed/seat folds very flat but we borrowed this excellent memory foam overlay. Recommended! Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT 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. a copy of Malcolm's review system ($1500). All-up it listed Note separate room light in base. from our January 2 issue here. at $137,110 drive away, which puts it in a rarified price bracket My Thoughts for a campervan. And I’d still he T5 Volkswagen is a want to add a diesel room quality vehicle to begin heater ($2490) and a towbar T with and in standard and electrics ($1050). Trakkadu AT guise it looks and feels like a quality European car Yes, for that sort of money – as it should do for $119,500 you could buy a full size drive away. motorhome, but that’s an apples and oranges argument. The test vehicle’s appeal was What you get for your money enhanced by a range of options with the Trakkadu AT is the that included metallic paint best designed, best quality engineering touches; from ($2500), alloy bull bar ($2350), campervan available. If you’re the LED strip lights inside the the five special Cooper tyres a camping/outdoor/exploring edge of the awning to the ($1850), side/thorax airbags sort of person who wants one all-new stick-on solar panel ($690), leather upholstery vehicle to do everything, from on the pop-top roof that adds ($4250), integrated RNS510 the daily commute to extended almost no weight or height to sound system with satnav and holidays, this is it. the vehicle. For a full rundown reversing camera ($3580), hot of the Trakkadu’s fitout and water with a rear shower ($890) features read and/or download and a 128 W solar charging 38 Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT 39 For remote bush camping the Trakkadu AT is in a class of its own. Mini Touring Test: Trakka Trakkadu AT 40 Specifications Manufacturer Trakka Model Trakkadu AT Base Vehicle T5 4 Motion (AWD) Engine 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel Power 132 kW @ 4000 rpm Torque 400 Nm @ 1500 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) Pros 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) • T5 VW quality Roof Bed Size (optional) 1.8 m x 1.2 m (5 ft 11 in x 3 ft 8 in) • Economy Cooktop Webasto diesel • Safety Fridge Waeco 80 litre • Driving experience Microwave n/a • Versatility Lighting 12V LED • Quick and simple setup Batteries 1 x 100 AH • AWD versatility Gas n/a • Extra ground clearance Heater Optional (Diesel) Solar Panels Optional Air Conditioner n/a Hot Water Heater Optional Cons Toilet n/a Shower External, flex hose • Limited driver legroom Fresh Water Tank 55-litres • Limited driver seat swivel Grey Water Tank 38-litres • Price Price as tested $137,110 on road NSW Contact Trakka 9 Beaumont Rd, Click for Mt-Kuring-gai Google Maps NSW. 2080. Ph: 1800 872 552 W: www.trakka.com E: [email protected]