Trakmaster caravans

Submitted: Friday, May 29, 2009 at 00:49
ThreadID: 69288 Views:11689 Replies:5 FollowUps:21
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Hi,
We are looking around for an upgrade and have seen the Trakmatser range of caravans. There is only two of us so we are looking at the smaller models. Perinte or may be the Kimberly.


I was wandering if any one has one and/or comments on them.

We don't want to take it fully off road in the true sense but do want a caravan which can handle dirt tracks which as we all know can be fairly rough.

Thanks for any comments,
Richard
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Reply By: Member - Neville & Sally C (VI - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 06:37

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 06:37
Hi Richard, Yes we're doing the same thing! We think that the Trackmaster is very good but it's too expensive for us yet. We're also looking at the Stargazer.- made by Jurgens . It's 14' and has all requirements but it too is expensive . We want a seious offroad smaller van and both will do that job. There are some Stargazer vans for sale 2nd hand, We think that you do pay a lot extra for the name and the Trackmaster certainly has a good name. They also have The Gibson, that is also serious offroad. There is an offroad van on the Trader .it's not Trackmaster and may suit you, as you don't want a serious offroader. It's a poptop and is for sale in the N.T. I think. Take care Kind regards Sally C.
AnswerID: 367296

Follow Up By: Trevor R (QLD) - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 08:13

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 08:13
Sally, if you are talking about the Supreme Getaway on the trader then that van will definately cope with whatever you want to throw at it. I have had a larger 16'6 version for many years and it copes with all I dish out at it. The main drawback of the Supreme is the weight as they can be very heavy for thier length.

I also like the Trackmaster heaps and wish I had of heard of this van before I bought my Supreme. Every Trackmaster I have seen has been accompanied by great reviews from it's owner.

Regards,
Trevor.
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Reply By: ddr - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 09:09

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 09:09
We have a Kimberly & love it. Sadly due to work it dosent get as much use as we'd like. We took it too the cape last year, we towed it to Weipa, then back through Lakefield & onto Cooktown.

Its a beautifully made van, Craig & Russel are very helpful & accommodating.

Ours was specially designed with folding bunk beds as we have 2 young kids.

We have also joined the TM Club.
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Follow Up By: ddr - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 09:10

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 09:10
There are a few TM's available 2nd hand too currently if you didnt want new.
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Follow Up By: richard - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 09:39

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 09:39
DDR,
Early days yet but I will look around for second hand.
We currently have an offroad camper but are looking for a bit more comfort for longer trips. We have to sell it first.

I am not opposed to buying second hand as everyone has said buying new is expensive.

I was also looking at the VistaRv at the latest fair. They look good but may eb a bit cramped - and are even more expensive but good features.

Our main problem with the camper is that you don't get much weather protection - when it is real cold it is real cold and same with the heat, not to mention the hassles of having we canvas. But in saying that we have don't a lot of miles in it and have enjoyed it.

Many thanks for yours and others replies

Richard
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Follow Up By: ddr - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 10:25

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 10:25
Richard yep I know the feeling of poor weather & camper Trailers.

Weve been through some shocking weather in the trackie but it was beautiful & comfortable. Mum & dad in their Jayco wernt as comfortable due to the canvas sides flapping in the wind all night.

Let me know if you want the details of the ones for sale in the Trakmaster forum, there is a Sturt in there currently. There are also a few beautiful Nullarboars.
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Follow Up By: ddr - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 10:28

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 10:28
Meant to add you will love the setup time coming from a camper trailer. Bliss after a hard days driving.
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Follow Up By: richard - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 11:06

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 11:06
Ddr,
I have contacted Trakmaster and am getting some details from them.

The Nullabor is a bit big for what we want.

My wife wants an island bed so looks like the minimum will be the Kimberly - but still trying to convince her of the joys of rolling over some one :).

I would be interested in the pricing of the second hand ones from the forum - I don't think I can access that.

We may do a long weekend visit down to Vic to have a look at them.

The people at TM appeared to be very responsive and helpful based on the quick email returns.


Richard
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 11:42

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 11:42
Richard if you are looking at a van smaller than a Nullarbor then you need to have a good talk with SWMBO.

Ask her whether she prefers an island bed or 500mm more kitchen bench space, because that's what you get with an east/west bed.

Whoever needs to get out of bed the most during the night sleeps on the outside and you get much more storage under the bed, especially if you want to access that storage through external hatches, eg, batteries, BBQ, generator, HWS etc.

If you are going from a camper trailer it's natural to think you may not need something much bigger but if you are going to spend extended periods away in the van you need a decent size to include a shower/toilet, reasonable storage etc, in other words, the comforts of home. And a full size van with a solid roof (not a pop top) copes with solar panels much better.

cheers
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Follow Up By: richard - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 12:51

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 12:51
Gone bush,
Good points. The island bed is also shorter. I will talk to her about it.

Thanks for the advice.

Richard
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 13:14

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 13:14
As far as the bed goes, make sure you get one that will suit the people who are going to use it.

I'm 6'3" and I stipulated that our bed had to be 6'8" long. I also ensured that the ceiling was suitable too, at 1930mm.

Now since you're not going for a Nullarbor, I hope the mods don't mind me pointing out that there are internal photos of mine in the Trader just to give you an idea of the east/west bed and the kitchen bench length. There's a link below.



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Follow Up By: Salties - Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 21:53

Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 21:53
Hello DDR,

I to have the wish list for the TM Kimberley. I would be very grateful with any information in regards to the kids bunk set up that you have and how it has worked for you. We are a younger family and would prefer to buy second but I would suspect that there are limited second hand family orientated TM that have been produced. Any information would be great.

Thanks.
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Follow Up By: ddr - Tuesday, Jun 02, 2009 at 20:06

Tuesday, Jun 02, 2009 at 20:06
Salties it was their 1st folding bunk setup, its the couch that folds up straight.

The couch it pretty big (I slept on it 1st night we were out in the van & im 6'5")

We leave it folded down when travelling. The Table is also removed & packed away most of the time to give us the extra space.

Our Kimberly is 15'6 x 7'6 with shower & Toilet.

But to describe it, the Kitchen & Shower/Toilet is at the end of the van, the Bed is East West at the front of the van, Cupboards & Fridge is down the Passanger side & bunks/couch take up the driver side.
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Reply By: Member - SR509 (WA) - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 11:12

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 11:12
Richard,

I would also check out the Quantum by Australian Offroad Campers. The website being

http://www.australianoffroadcampers.com.au/main.php?page=quantum

I have no affiliation blah bl;ah blah but I have been looking seriously for a good van that is comfortable and offroad capable and am now down to this and the topaz though I think the quantum wins due to not having to set up the bed, better kitchen, you have internal option as well, and just the flexibility of it all including the weight.

My 2 cents.
AnswerID: 367367

Follow Up By: richard - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 12:56

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 12:56
SR,
I ahve seen the quantum (on the web) and did like it. I will have another look.

I also so the Topaz at the latest fair in Maitland. It looked OK but we preferred the VistaRV if going for a cross over.

We have moved in the direction of a caravan as one problem we saw with the Vista is that if the bed was down then there is no seating room. This could be a problem if one of us want to go to bed and the other wants to stay up - while inside. Apart from that it was a great product.


Richard
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Follow Up By: Member - Wayne David (NSW) - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 12:59

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 12:59
Richard - I'm with you on the Quantum. They look like a nice piece of kit eh?

I always make a + & - list when thinking about (read this as dreaming) vans.

Apart from the price of the Quantum, and to be fair everything I like has this problem, I would prefer it wasn't a pop top.

I wish they had a solid roof. Low end at the front where the bed head is and taper it gently to the rear where the door is. Surely it's do-able.

But I like the bed made up, the fact you can get in quickly, screen door, outdoor kitchen & the low weight. Plus it comes with awning options.

I'm off to the Brisbane show and these guys are on my wish list.

But right now IF I had a spare $70,000 I'd be tempted.

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Follow Up By: richard - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 13:14

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 13:14
Wayne,
Quantum are a bit past what I can spend but as you say it is nice to have a wish list, dream,drool :)

Ya never know what is around the corner and would be bad if you never even looked/considered these vans.

When you start looking at the price of a Quatum you need to also consider Roadsters and the likes.

The trakmaster seems to have what I want at a better price - but I will look and consider other options before settling. I have to also sell my Camper first

Unfortunately there are no local shows in the near future.

Richard
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FollowupID: 635059

Follow Up By: Member - SR509 (WA) - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 13:18

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 13:18
Richard,

Agreed in regards to the Vista, you don't want to have to make up the bed.

With the quantum, I see Wayne's point in regards to the pop-top, but it is small. It isn't a wind up, it is on gas struts with scissor hinges. As they are an offroad camper trailer maker, you could pretty much guarantee that the canvas or material used along with the stitching would be of the highest quality. At least you would hope so for that price.

One thing with the pop top is storage height, wind resistance height, clearance height for trees etc, I think it would work well. Having a look at it, it comes in roughly the same height as a lifted fourbie with a roof rack. To get that clearance with a solid wall unit you would be taking it out on low hanging branches etc.

I love the inside shower and toilet with the outside kitchen apparently there is an option to get one burner inside on top of the vanity put in. I think this works better then cooking inside. I think you would spend most of your time outdoors and having the kitchen there works well.

Kids, I have a couple and plan on utilising swags or the annex if I go down the quantum route however you can turn the 3 seater couch into kids beds if it is absolutely bucketing down.

I think I am trying to convince myself to buy one and justify the $$ but after looking at everything from 10k camper trailers to 100k bush trackers which the lux wouldn't tow) this is what I have settled on.

No affiliation blah blah blah
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Follow Up By: Member - Wayne David (NSW) - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 13:32

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 13:32
SR509 (WA) - My apologies from before. I should have been agreeing with you & I said Richard by mistake. Although........Richard may end up seeing the benefits of a Quantum yet.

I seem to visiting the Quatum web site more & more often. Is it love or just infactuation?

Your point about the towing is a good one. My current 4x4 - or anything I'm likely to trade up to in the future - could tow the Quantum and I'd still have a nice vehicle for everyday use. So that's a good point.

I also think caravanners have loads of fun BUT.......it's just not me. At least not before false teeth. The Quantum ticks almost all of the right boxes.

Hey here's an idea SR509, maybe we could negotiation a very, very, very good deal for two of them? Bulk purchasing!! Just a thought.







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Follow Up By: Member - SR509 (WA) - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 13:47

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 13:47
Or maybe three if we can get Richard in on the action.

Come on Richard.


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Follow Up By: richard - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 17:55

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 17:55
Guys as mentioned I am leaning towards the Trakmaster BUT..... that is based on $s. I suspect we would be pushing you know what up hill trying to negotiate a better deal for three but who knows :)

The Quantum looks good and I had looked at it awhile ago (and liked it) but as mentioned shied away due to cost.

I think you have to consider all options, with in reason, as you see good things in all vans - it is a matter of finding one that has the most of what you want for what you can afford.


How about negotiating 3 Trakmasters :)


Again, thanks for you comments, have a good one
Richard

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Follow Up By: Member - SR509 (WA) - Tuesday, Jun 02, 2009 at 10:16

Tuesday, Jun 02, 2009 at 10:16
3 Trakmasters, now there's a thought.


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Reply By: Member - SR509 (WA) - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 13:58

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 13:58
Just as a bit of a side convo but in relation to the thread. I see that a lot of designs for the Trakmaster and other brands have two single beds. Now, in my mind, if only two people are buying a trakmaster or similar then they are normally going to be a couple who go away for long periods of time together. Why would they not be in a queen size bed. It just seems strange. It is like having two single beds in the master bedroom of your house???
AnswerID: 367398

Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 15:01

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 15:01
Personal choice and space SR. With singles, you can get a bit more space.
But singles are not for us. Queen island bed was they only option for us.

When you look at the second hand market, single bed vans seem to take longer to sell and probably go for cheaper than well set up queen bed vans.

But we know people with single bed vans and they are happy. Personal choice.
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Follow Up By: Member - SR509 (WA) - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 15:08

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 15:08
Norm,

Weird though hey, I mean come on.



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Reply By: richard - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 18:09

Friday, May 29, 2009 at 18:09
My wife does not want single beds - she sees one of my good points (and probably the only one) is I keep her warm at night.

The camper we have now has the bed running the same way as an island bed but is not an island bed. When some one gets up in the night to see how the rivers are running the other person is disturbed. Part of the fun of camping I reckon.

We will try and do a trip down to Vic to see the TM. Just got back from QLD - should of looked around then. It was this last trip that convinced us to upgrade. On the way up there we found the nights so cold that we were sleeping in jackets. When we got there - Noosa it rained non stop.

One advantage of a camper is that you do spend more time outside. You tend to meet more people this way. Some times the caravans become like hotels in that every one stays inside in the comfy house on wheels.

Luckily most of the caravan fraternity are a friendly lot and do venture out now and again . The smell of fire or alcohol I believe. :)


Richard

AnswerID: 367442

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