Off road caravan,

Submitted: Saturday, Jan 01, 2011 at 23:51

ThreadID: 83371 Views:5603 Replies:6 FollowUps:8

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Harry H

G,Day all, I am about to purchase a new Trakmaster Tanami caravan. the main reason for buying the Trakmaster is because it is built local and have been to the factory where they are built the other one was a Kedron, but it is built in Qland,. and am wondering if there are any members whom may have some comments on this caravan, for or against,? should i purchase one with air bags? or stay with the Sugar glide system ?. air operated corner jacks?. and any other comments would be much appreciated PS I currently own a Geiist 660.

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Reply By: vin58 - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 04:04

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 04:04

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Reply By: vin58 - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 04:21

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 04:21

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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 08:46

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 08:46

We took delivery of a new 18' Nullabor in 09 - after making the original order, I joined the TM Owners' club - there is discussion and articles on their web site covering most issues of interest. It is not a big club and the forum gets very quiet at times, but it has still been worthwhile. That website is hosted on the TM server, but is otherwise independent - the members do talk freely on whatever they like and TM don't intrude :-o). Info gained there got me up to speed with a fair few options prior to signing up for the final specs. I chose the air bag suspension - quite happy to date. As for corner jacks - I stayed with the Alko bigfoot manual type - quite ok and reliable - TM did say there is a weight penalty with any assisted systems. Hope you enjoy the TM experience - I see they are moving in January to larger premises, still at Bayswater.

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Follow Up By: Harry H - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:11

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 13:11

Thank you Darian,SA.
your comments are much appreciated, I will log into the TM owners' club to find out more, by some of the feed back and people I have spoken to all suggested to go with the ALKO BIG FOOT.
Re there move to the new Factory they started moving prior to Xmas and should be operating as of the new year. The only thing is having to wait till June for delivery,but the wait we can live with,
Thanks again and have a healthy and wonderful excursion travelling this land of ours.
Regards Harry H

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Reply By: Member - bungarra (WA) - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 10:00

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 10:00

Whilst not in your state.........the following company makes a fantastic van...we have one on order........no afflition etc.......but we did look around widely and spoke with many owners of offroad vans before our decision

http://www.explorex.com.au/

I would place far more importance on getting what you want and making objective comparisons......than simply purchasing because it is manufactured in the home state..

I am not making comment onTrackmaster......simply saying for the large investment involved why decide on close to home.........would put that as a low priority

Life is a journey, it is not how we fall down, it is how we get up.
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Follow Up By: Member - bungarra (WA) - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 10:04

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 10:04

perhaps i should have added that i did go East specificaly to look at the well known ones..

the fact that I chose ours from WA was nothing to do with the fact that we are from WA.......that was of low relevance.........I liked the vans, the construction the price and the attitude of the owner and the growing reputation and repeat clients

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Follow Up By: Harry H - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 14:03

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 14:03

Hi, Bungarra, WA.
Thanks for your comments' But prior to placing the order we went to a number of Caravan shows local and interstate, over the last 2 years, but in the end we decided with TM, I know it's a big investment but we have ordered one with all the item's we both wanted with the van. Thanks again. Regards Harry H.

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Reply By: wendys - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 18:36

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 18:36

We had our Kimberley made in 1997, still have it, still happy with it.

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Follow Up By: Harry H - Monday, Jan 03, 2011 at 19:55

Monday, Jan 03, 2011 at 19:55

Thanks' Wendys. I am sure we will be happy with the van also as long as we get it right with all the items and things we requested without overloading the total weight, current Vehicle is Toyota 200
Ps is it common to reply to every person with a follow up .which I have done to date as I am only a 2 day member at this stage.

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Reply By: B1B2 - Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 19:25

Sunday, Jan 02, 2011 at 19:25

G'day Harry,
Like Darian, I have the TM Nullarbor, over 2 yrs now and it is a good van.
The TM site is very quiet and you may not get much of a response, probably because they are all out bush.
I opted for no air bags and went for the sugar glider suspension. Less things to break which would be a big problem when remote. The stands are always a problem, mine get full of dust and mud and need a whack to get them to lower but I dont use them much. Make sure if you have Air cond that your genny will run it. My 2kva honda runs mine if the temp is under about 38°, then it trips out. Fit the diesel or gas 12v heater. Put a boot light in. I had a vacuum toilet fitted, but it is handy if you have mechanical knowledge. The capacity is also a bit on the small side. The curved style cupboards are very nice looking but prone to staining easily.
I had my chassis galvanised dipped and have found that some sand sticks to it so well you cant get it off with a HP blaster.
Have an outside light fitted to both sides of the van - very handy.
If you have the TV wall bracket fitted, they block this, but they need to use metal thread nuts behind the board. Self tappers are hopeless. My bracket fell off after the first trip and it is hard to fix properly.
I bought my own 12v radio cd player and had them fit it with a pair of external marine speakers and a splitter so that i could turn them off easily.
The after sales care is good. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Cheers,
Bill

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Follow Up By: Member - peter w2 (VIC) - Monday, Jan 03, 2011 at 08:57

Monday, Jan 03, 2011 at 08:57

G,day Bill. you must have a big A/C,,what size/h.p is it Peter

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Follow Up By: B1B2 - Monday, Jan 03, 2011 at 11:33

Monday, Jan 03, 2011 at 11:33

Peter,
It is a Dometic B3254 and it draws 5.2 amps at full load according to the manual.
The Genny output is 6.7 amps. With the fridge on gas I draw 5.7 amps which is 85% output and should be ok but it trips out in really hot weather. (in the shade).
I must check to see if I can get a better quality CB as i don't believe it should trip.

Cheers,
Bill

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Follow Up By: Harry H - Monday, Jan 03, 2011 at 19:41

Monday, Jan 03, 2011 at 19:41

G,Day B1B2. After being a visitor to exploroz for only 12 odd hrs, I have now joined as a member to chat with current TM owners to get as much info as possible prior to paying the next part of our progress payment, your info was and is very informative and much appreciated, just the type of we require, we currently also have a Honda 2Kva Generator,which will be on a slide out unit under the bed. along with a Baby BBQ on the opposite side of the bed, what's your opinion on extra solar panels as we have only 1 on the front of the van or will TM suggest more if required?.we have decided on a DIESEL heater, what type of Dvd/cd/radio unit with what type of speakers did you purchase? We will make note of the TV bracket as a concern,
Thanks for your input, which we appreciate as this is a expensive decision we have to make and want to do it right the first time.
Regards Harry H.

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Follow Up By: B1B2 - Monday, Jan 03, 2011 at 20:29

Monday, Jan 03, 2011 at 20:29

Harry,
I had 2 x 130 watt solar panels and 2 x 100 amp AGM batteries, It all depends on how much free camping you want to do. There is no wrong setup, everyone does it differently. These keep the batteries charged, I think you will struggle with one panel.
I bought a Sony DVD radio, but go to JB Hi Fi and select one that has the iPod -USB inputs. The marine external speakers are there as well, very reasonable priced. I had TM wire the rca plug outlet near the TV. The splitter box is only a 2 push button setup to switch the inside/outside speakers off. I know it can be done from the unit but it is messy.
The extra advantage of this, is that i can switch all speakers off and run the TV speakers only, this gives better sound direction.
I would buy and supply my own 12v TV as well that has analogue and digital reception, usb input and recording, and probably and inbuilt DVD player.
I left my TV fitted to the bracket this year and it now has a damaged picture.
People on this site recommend buying a cheap one and replace it if it gives trouble.
The high density mattress is too hard for me, I may get a mattress made with a softer top. I have retrofitted the eggshell top for the moment.

Good luck with the van,

Cheers,
Bill

FollowupID: 712522