Trak Topaz - Thoughts on this type of van

Submitted: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 22:15

ThreadID: 68801 Views:12300 Replies:7 FollowUps:12

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Inland Sailor

I'm unsure if this is the right forum to discuss Crossovers but I'm sure readers here will direct me to the correct place.
Currently we have a solid floor Off Road Camper that we have taken it to so many wonderful places across this Wide Brown Land in our early retirment stage and will for a while longer. But looking forward, I'm sure we will begin to tire of the setting up and breaking camp as we head further into the more mature stage off our "Golden Years". We currently stay where it suits us, in the bush, Nat parks and CP's. because we can and expect that this is the way we will continue to travel. Now to the point, I think a crossover van might be the way we might move on from the camper and wonder what the good folk of this forum think of "Crossovers" in general and the Topaz in particular.

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Reply By: Shaker - Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 22:52

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 22:52

I wouldn't be surprised if "crossovers" were the way of the future.
You will find that the Topaz is like other Tarck products inasmauch as they are extremely capable offroad, with a very strong well designed chassis & MC2 suspension.
The rest is up to whether you like it or not!

AnswerID: 364748

Follow Up By: Shaker - Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 22:54

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 22:54

Typo ..... read "Tarck products" as Track products.

An edit function would be good!

FollowupID: 632392

Reply By: A J - Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 10:13

Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 10:13

Inland Sailor - we are like yourselves - wanting to move from canvas but do not want a big van that will restrict our travel at this stage - still have a number of places to get to.

I agree with the previous reply in thinking this is the way the market could be headed as more players come in each year. They are usually light - easy to tow and give you some comforts of a van.

In respect to the market - there is the topaz by track trailer - quantum by Australian off road campers - Kimberley Karavan - and two caravan manufacturers which we have considered being the Trakmaster and Supreme.

Topaz - we do not like the door arrangement and the table in the topaz.
Kimberley - no particular feature - just does not appeal - maybe the toilet on your left as you walk in.
Quantum - very impressed with their concept - travelling ensuite with cooking outside and dust proof, which appeals.
Trakmaster - very good name in the industry - will probably finish up with one of these.

Plus there are others on the market which we have not considered.

No connection with any of the above.

A J

AnswerID: 364791

Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Sydney. - Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 17:38

Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 17:38

AJ,

Which Trackmaster did you look at ? How small do they make them. I was thinking of getting Phoenix or Gemhunter to build me a 14 ft van- but with a full height roof, no crapper, outside shower and a double bunk.

Cheers,

Willie

FollowupID: 632483

Follow Up By: A J - Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 18:55

Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 18:55

Willie - Trakmaster

Perentie goes from 11' x 6'6" to 12'6" x 6'6" - rear entry van
Stuart goes from 12'6" x 6'6" to 13' x 6'6''
Kimberley goes from 14' x 7' to 15'6" x 7'6"

Full van or pop top

You can pick you own floor plan -

We are looking at 15'6" x 7' pop top with a tandem axle.

They can be contacted via their web site or phone 188 809 194

A J

FollowupID: 632506

Follow Up By: A J - Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 18:58

Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 18:58

Willie - that phone number 1800 809 194 A J

FollowupID: 632508

Follow Up By: Member - Willie , Sydney. - Friday, May 15, 2009 at 00:53

Friday, May 15, 2009 at 00:53

AJ,
Thanks for that info. It's a bit late now, I have been playing tennis. I will check it out tomorrow.
Willie.

FollowupID: 632598

Reply By: Saharaman (aka Geepeem) - Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 11:22

Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 11:22

Hi IS,

Check out this site:

Vista Crossover

This was discussed on the forum recently. Apparently it is built by the guy that invented the Tvan - but is now no longer with Tvan (I think).
Anyway it looks pretty robust suspension wise and has a good heritage if it follows the quality of the Tvan.

Anyway maybe worth a look if this is the type of van you are looking for.

Cheers
GPM

AnswerID: 364809

Follow Up By: Shaker - Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 16:08

Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 16:08

Alan Mawson designed the Track Tvan & MC2 suspension, he was also instrumental in the design of the Vista, unfortunately Alan passed away recently, which is a very sad loss for the industry as he was one of the few that could think outside the square.

FollowupID: 632465

Reply By: Member - SR509 (WA) - Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 14:00

Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 14:00

What is the tow vehicle, would you pay the extra and go a bush tracker.

AnswerID: 364826

Reply By: Member - Neville & Sally C (VI - Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 14:13

Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 14:13

Hi, Inland Sailor. Yes we're in the same boat! but haven't the money to do this yet, either. We looked at the Topaz brochures with great interest. The windows are our issue, they seem too small. O.K. for touring Tassie but we felt they'd be awfully stuffy in the heat of the Kimberlies. Thanks to you for posting this, we now have a few more ideas f rom the answers you received .In general, we like the idea of these type of vans' we're at the stage where we're sick of canvas flapping in the wind.

AnswerID: 364827

Follow Up By: racinrob - Friday, May 15, 2009 at 21:10

Friday, May 15, 2009 at 21:10

I looked at the Topaz at the Caravan show at Rosehill recently and was quite impressed but couldn't justify spending $58,400 for the base model. Is it just my missus and self who think this is overpriced ? Rob.

FollowupID: 632753

Follow Up By: Member - Syd R (QLD) - Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 17:25

Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 17:25

Checkout the QUANTUM

FollowupID: 632900

Follow Up By: Member - Neville & Sally C (VI - Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 18:44

Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 18:44

Hi, and thanks to those of you who replied. I sent a follow up earlier but it seems to have been taken by aliens. Yes, wer'e the same, we can't justify the high prices either. We checked out the Quantum but it was too big for us, thanks Syd. Will check out the other one UKE mentioned. Trackmaster has a small van called "The Gibson", it's tailend looks like a good idea but once again can you justify the base price?, may be, but we can't afford it. Take care. Kind regards Sally

FollowupID: 633117

Reply By: UKE - Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 11:30

Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 11:30

have a look at Cambridge Caravans / Alpha Fibreglass website - outback trekker

AnswerID: 365200

Follow Up By: Shaker - Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 13:08

Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 13:08

Looks like a toy compared to the Topaz!

FollowupID: 632869

Follow Up By: UKE - Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 14:23

Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 14:23

Thanks Shaker for the comment - I am in the process of trying to work out what to buy - budget is $40,000 - tow vechicle is late model prado TD - we are past the age for too much canvas - don't want to tow anything too heavy - initially want the van to slowly wander & explore OZ - some soft offroad - then in a few years for trips with longer stays to get out off the Melbourne winters - have looked at Bushtrackers, like but too dear - have not yet looked at Topaz. Have you any other vans that you can suggest (I am a complete novice) Cheers

FollowupID: 632876

Follow Up By: Member - Graeme W (NSW) - Monday, May 18, 2009 at 00:33

Monday, May 18, 2009 at 00:33

Uke, similar to the Cambridge, there is the Exodus Barrington. They also make the larger Kingston.

Exodus

Jurgens also make a small offroad van called the Stargazer.

Stargazer

I've seen the Exodus at shows, but haven't looked too closely. Don't know much about the Jurgens except that they're South African. The current one has been re released recently.They were available here a few years ago and appear 2nd hand occasionally.

Graeme