Trakka Trakkaway 700

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Short Favourite
It’s odd’s-on Trakka’s new baby Trakkaway will be a sure winner...
Review and images by Richard Robertson
imotorhome.com.au
On top of the world: first night away at the lookout above Quirindi.
Distinctive nose-cone has been aerodynamically tested.
W
hen Trakka releases
a new model you
know it’s going to be
something special. Enter the
Trakkaway 700: A compact
7-metre B-Class motorhome
that sleeps 2, has seating for
4 and is built on Fiat’s popular
Ducato cab-chassis. It also
features a rear slide-out: a
Trakka first.
The reason Trakka doesn’t
release new models willy-nilly
is because they take the time
to do things properly. Building
on lessons learned from the
popular Trakkaway series,
which already has models
from 7.5 to 8.6 metres in
length, the Trakkaway 700
reviewed here is a prototype.
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In an iMotorhome exclusive
I travelled in it for eight days;
driving from Sydney to the
CMCA’s 27th National Rally
in Boonah, Queensland and
back, yet it felt as thoroughly
engineered and carefully
made as any ‘normal’
production motorhome:
a reflection of Trakka’s
renowned attention to detail.
The Trakkaway 700 ushers
in a number of evolutionary
design updates that will find
their way across the 2013
Trakkaway range, including
revised roof and lower-body
profiles, plus the option
of an aero nose-cone on
larger Trakkaway models for
customers not requiring the
over-cab bed. For maximum
versatility, however, the new
700 will also be available
with a over-cab bed and
a sideways-facing fifth
Electric awning is sturdy and a great inclusion.
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Smile! The dinette is very comfortable and the corner table very handy.
passenger seat, transforming
it into a compact C-Class
motorhome that would be
ideal for young families.
In Short
oming in a gnat’s
whisker under
7.0 metres long,
the Trakkaway 700 is
designed to provide the
maximum living space with
the minimum physical size
in a coach-built motorhome.
It’s actually shorter than some
van conversions.
C
To this end the Fiat Ducato
is the obvious choice,
because as a purposedesigned motorhome basevehicle incorporating ALKO’s specialised aluminium
motorhome chassis, it delivers
a wide body with a low floor
height. This provides a low
entry-step that eliminates
the need for an extendable
step, yet doesn’t compromise
interior headroom. And
by eliminating large roof-
mounted accessories, like
the airconditioner, it reduces
height, enhances streamlining
and aids economy.
Trakka has chosen the
top-level Ducato 180,
with a recently up-rated
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3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine
producing 132 kW and 400
Nm, driving through a sixspeed automated manual
transmission (AMT). The 2012
Fiat Ducato model line-up now
comes standard with a TomTom satnav system mounted
atop the centre of the dash
and Fiat’s proprietary Blue
& Me integrated bluetooth
system, plus MP3 connectivity
and telephone controls on
the leather-wrapped steering
wheel.
The updated Ducato 2012
model range also features a
new-look dash and instrument
cluster that’s more car-like
and inviting than its German
Updated Ducato dash is
modern and quite un van-
rivals. Typically Italian, it does
have its quirks and a thorough
read of the owner’s manual
and some time spent learning
all the features is highly
recommended.
On the road the Trakkaway
700 is smooth and refined.
The dedicated motorhome
chassis provides stable,
predictable handling backed
by the reassurance of
electronic stability control
plus disc brakes all-round
and anti-lock brakes (ABS).
Visibility is good, with excellent
electrically adjustable side
mirrors and a Waeco reversing
camera that automatically
switches between rear vision
and reversing modes. This
means you can watch the
traffic behind you whilst
travelling and look almost
vertically downwards when
reversing, all from the same
camera. You can also select
modes manually while you’re
on the move, which I found
useful to keep any eye on my
bike on the towbar-mounted
rack.
Speaking of selecting modes,
the Ducato’s AMT gearbox is
worth a mention. Essentially
a six-speed manual with a
computer operated clutch,
it allows you to drive it in
auto mode while it changes
gears for you, pausing briefly
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between shifts. It also has a
manual mode that lets you
change up or down when you
wish, although the computer
will override you if you try to
do something silly or forget
which mode you’re in.
Tom-Tom satnav is now
standard on new Ducatos.
When using cruise control
with the gearbox in auto
mode you can drop it back a
gear (or two) on hills without
cruise disconnecting. It’s a
great feature for maintaining
speed without having to
reset cruise every time and is
especially welcome because
the gearbox doesn’t downshift
to maintain speed when using
cruise control. Instead, when
speed drops about 15 km/h
below your target speed it
simply drops out.
Trakka’s Dave Berry pointed
out to me how well the new
Ducato operates in manual
mode and I tried it out quite a
few times during my journey. It
shifts seamlessly and provides
an extra measure of control,
and this proved especially
useful in preventing automode dropping back down
a gear on long inclines when
I knew it wan’t going to be
able to hold top gear again for
long.
That Body
s mentioned, the
Trakkaway 700 is the
shape of Trakkaways
to come, in terms of roof
and lower-panel profiles. The
body itself is sleek and stylish
and made from high-gloss
A
Rear slide-out bed still allows rear boot access.
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finished vacuum moulded
composite panels, like all
other Trakkaways. Dometic’s
Seitz double-glazed windows
with in-built fly and privacy
screens are used all-round
and an electrical locker with
a built-in power lead is a nice
touch, too.
The test vehicle had Trakka’s
new, optional Rainwater
Retrieval System. This
basically has a concealed
gutter built into the body
across the rear roofline, with
slots in the roof above it for
collection. Water then flows
down a concealed down-pipe
and into a 55-litre tank that
supplements the main supply.
Unfortunately, it didn’t rain
during the test and I wasn’t
able to see how effectively it
worked.
Our course the real point of
difference with the Trakkaway
700 and the feature that
attracts all the attention is its
rear slide-out bed. Note I said
bed, not bedroom. Only half
the depth of the rear wall, in
operation it looks more like the
vehicle is poking its tongue
out rather than extending a
slide-out.
aft, however, you could drive
with the bed extended (unlike
a sideways slide-out) although
it isn’t recommended.
The Trakkaway 700’s
streamlined nose cone
is all-new, too. Designed
following research into the
aerodynamics affecting
airflow over the vehicle’s
nose, its jutting edge assists
in generating an area of low
pressure at the top of the
windscreen that helps push
the slipstream up-and-over
Electrically operated by remote the cab/body interface with
control, the gear-driven
minimal disruption.
bed unit sits above the rear
boot and includes a manual
Another significant feature is a
override in case of problems.
large wind-up hatch/skylight
Because it operates fore and
above the cab. Providing
The bedroom is surprisingly spacious when the bed’s extended.
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abundant sunlight while driving
and fresh air when camped, it
can also be screened off from
the heat and glare of the day. A
sturdy and user-friendly electric
awning is a welcome standard
inclusion, while an external
table is provided that mounts
on a track towards the rear
of the body, and stores in the
boot at other times.
reaching/storing hoses, etc,
much easier – especially if you
have a bike rack on the towbar
as I did, which restricts access
through the main door.
Designed Space
tep inside many
motorhomes and you
could be forgiven for
thinking they all come from the
same factory. Step inside a
Speaking of the boot,
Trakka and you’re never in any
external storage space is at
doubt it’s a Trakka. From the
a premium and the rear boot
signature grey cupboards and
(incorporating an external
matching roller shutter doors to
hot/cold shower) is the only
the subtle and contemporary
storage space available. Wide
tones of the soft furnishings
but quite shallow, the boot on
and the curved, Scandinavianproduction vehicles will have a looking panel work, Trakka
small access hatch on the kerb has establish a style that is
side, I’m told. This will make
S
uniquely and unmistakably its
own.
The Trakkaway 700 has a front
lounge, mid kitchen/bathroom
and rear bedroom layout,
which is quite conventional.
What’s unconventional is the
feeling of space the designers
have managed to imbue;
especially when the bed’s
extended.
The cab seats swivel easily
and are very comfortable for
after-hours use. The forwardfacing dinette seat, which is on
the driver’s side, is also very
comfortable and incorporates
lap/sash seat belts that don’t
intrude when stowed. All
seating in the test vehicle was
Working dinner: The dinette makes a great mobile office.
imotorhome.com.au
finished in optional tan leather
with grey accents that added
to the overall sense of style.
A small flip-up table is wallmounted between the dinette
and driver’s seat and it’s
especially useful for an onthe-move cuppa, casual drink
or even a quick Facebook
update on your iPad. The
main table is removable
and stores neatly out of the
way in the bedroom. When
installed, its multi-adjustable
mechanism allows you to
position it for any seating
position, while its generous
dimensions would allow
(organised) dining for four.
The Euro-style entry door
is positioned between the
lounge/dinette (to the left)
and the kitchen/bathroom.
Immediately to your left as
you enter is a low cupboard
unit with a pole-mounted 60
cm flatscreen TV/DVD above,
plus another cupboard on
top. The TV adjusts easily
for height and viewing angle
and there’s a matching unit
in the bedroom, so a couple
could watch different shows
if desired (aided by the
bedroom’s concertina privacy
door). Privacy is also provided
by a set of REMI front blinds,
which are built into frames
around the windscreen and
cab door windows, extending
in moments to provide total
seclusion. Stowing them is
easy, once you have the hang
of it and the key is not to rush
(like so many things in life!).
Entry door is neat but lacks an opening window.
Dining table
stows neatly
in bedroom
corner.
imotorhome.com.au
Funky LED strip lighting works
well and isn’t just for show.
Electrical, fridge, cooking and heating controls hide away
in this kitchen cupboard, next to the crockery cupboard
designed for Corelle dinnerware.
Power House
entral to the
Trakkaway 700’s
design philosophy is
independent living. To this end
it comes with Trakka’s Remote
Pack: diesel-fired cooking,
water and room heating, plus
two 135 watt solar panels.
C
House lighting is LED
throughout, with just
the halogen lights of the
rangehood as the exception.
Funky purple LED strip lights
are used to great effect around
the over-cab roof hatch and in
the kitchen; at bench height
and floor level. These can be
operated independently and
provide a relaxing and coollooking alternative to the usual
white house lighting or reading
lights. Separate switching is
provided for the dinette/kitchen
house lights, the bedroom and
exterior lights – all of which can
be dimmed.
which it takes directly from the
fuel tank. It’s also designed so
it can’t drain the tank dry and
leave you stranded.
The Remote Pack means
the Trakkaway 700 is gasfree, so there are no bottles
to store, carry or fill and no
gas inspection required at
rego time. European-sourced,
it’s largely automated and
consumes minimal diesel fuel,
The Trakkaway 700’s main
control system is mounted
discreetly in an overhead
cupboard in the kitchen,
behind another roller-shutter
door. It displays and controls
the vehicle’s house electrics
(2 x 100 AH house batteries),
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Kitchen drawers
are self-closing
and provide good
storage space.
drinking-water tap, while six
self-closing cupboards of
varying depths are immediately
below. The fridge, an underbench 136-litre Waeco 12/240
V compressor unit, sits to the
left of the drawers.
water system (165 L fresh and
135 L grey) and also displays
things like interior and exterior
temperature. The fridge/
heating/stove controls are all
grouped in the same location,
while the 240 V ducted aircon
is operated via a remote (like
the televisions).
Meal Time
urprisingly spacious, the
kitchen sits between the
dinette and bedroom,
S
on the driver’s side. There’s
reasonable bench space and
this is enhanced by a little shelf
that runs around the back of
the bench, which is ideal for
items you want to keep handy
but let not get in the way.
On the far right of the benchtop the glass-lidded sink is
flush-mounted and includes a
lift-up flick-mixer tap. Between
it and the Webasto glass
ceramic cooktop is a filtered
Above the sink, to the right
of the electrical control panel,
is a cupboard designed for a
six-place Corelle dinnerware
setting, including six mugs.
The microwave is concealed in
another cupboard, to the left
of the control panel, but runs
only on mains power.
Some people will lament the
lack of a gas cooking option
and this could cost Trakka
sales. The Webasto dieselfired cooking system, while
imotorhome.com.au
innovative, is not without its
compromises and its style of
heat delivery probably won’t
suit those who enjoy cooking
and regularly entertain; at least
not without a lot of practice.
Cleaning Up
he Trakkaway 700
features Trakka’s proven
Switch Mode Bathroom,
which has a remote controlled
cassette toilet that tucks
discreetly away beneath the
vanity when not required. This
frees up considerable space
and the bathroom cubicle
itself is deceptively spacious
once you’re inside.
T
There are three mirrors
above the hand basin (one
concealing a medicine
cabinet), a hand shower that
operates independently of
the hand-basin tap, good
downlighting and an outlet for
the ducted heating system
that not only keeps you warm
in winter but also helps dry
wet clothing and towels.
you standing above the water
sump in the floor. Shower
water is drained by a wateractivated pump (from memory)
that sucks water out and
doesn’t just rely on gravity.
Sweet Dreams
he same small remote
Typical of Trakka’s attention
control unit operates the
to detail is a wrap-around
bedroom slide-out and
shower curtain that follows the the retractable toilet. Pressing
wall shape and press-studs
the big button at the top
into place at either end. It not
sends the bed outwards and
only protects your towels,
you need to extend it at least
toilet roll and even the door,
a little to use the kitchen fully.
with the toilet tucked away it
Pressing the smaller button
provides a spacious shower
beneath it brings it back in.
cubicle, while the whole
bathroom setup is very livable. Once extended, you can
access the bed from either
Another nice feature is the
side via a series of small
wooden floor grate that keeps steps, as it sits quite high.
Switch Mode Bathroom loo retracts beneath vanity
when not needed.
T
imotorhome.com.au
Huge bed-head window averts claustrophobia.
The bed has rounded ends,
but surprisingly this didn’t
prove to be a problem
despite my 183 cm height.
Disappointingly, however,
it’s only a double in width.
There’s no massive underbed storage, but a deep
drawer slides out on either
side, at the foot end and is
ideal for shoes. There are also
bedside wardrobes, overhead
cupboards with reading lights,
plus small shelves for your
essential overnight nicknacks.
Big windows on both sides
plus one at the bed head
and a powered roof hatch
provide plenty of fresh air
and light. You can adjust the
height and viewing angle of
the second, pole-mounted TV,
which is tucked away in the
corner behind the bathroom.
Opposite it, on a matching
pole where the bedroom and
kitchen meet, is a good-sized
mirror that can be swivelled
and viewed from the kitchen
or bedroom.
Pedestal island bed has side wardrobe, drawers and
overhead cupboards.
Over-cab wind-up skylight has sliding fly screen and blind.
imotorhome.com.au
Final Thoughts
have no doubt Trakka’s
new Trakkaway 700 is
going to be a winner.
Despite the test vehicle
being a prototype it proved
a complete and capable
machine that’s fuel efficient,
comfortable and fun to drive,
plus highly practical and
enjoyable to live in.
I
The design makes the most
of the vehicle’s compact
dimensions, although limited
external storage is the
compromise. It’s ability to live
independently of power, gas
and even water (to a small
extent) is highly attractive and
if you’re looking to a compact,
quality motorhome that won’t
disappoint, the Trakkaway
700 should be on your list.
Slide-out leaves room for a bike rack. Nice thinking, Trakka...
M
otorhome tests
rarely afford us
the opportunity to
so thoroughly put a vehicle
through its paces. Over eight
days I drove approximately
2100 kilometres, from
Trakka’s headquarters on
Sydney’s northern edge to
Boonah in Queensland and
return; basically via the New
England Highway with a few
diversions because I could.
Economy-wise, the
Trakkaway 700 returned an
average of 12.02 L/100 km
(23.5 mpg), with a best of
11.29 (25 mpg) and a worst
of 12.86 (21.97 mpg): Not
bad for about four tonnes of
motorhome in a hurry on a
highway that reaches around
1400 metres altitude in
places.
Of the seven nights away
only the second was in
a caravan park, where I
connected to power and
topped up the water tanks.
I spent three nights freecamping along the way and
three nights at the CMCA
Rally site in Boonah; all
without power or water.
On driving days and while the
sun was strong at the rally I
cranked the fridge up, turning
it down lower overnight.
The good Mrs iMotorhome
packed six frozen homeContinued...
imotorhome.com.au
... continued
cooked dinners (I know – I’m
spoiled!) and the last one,
which I had on my final night
away, was still frozen solid.
The Trakkaway 700’s solar
panels and dual house
batteries easily coped with the
load and at no stage did the
power meter fall below three
bars out of a possible five.
Each night I also ran my iPad
and/or laptop, cooked and
washed-up, and showered.
Television reception failed on
the first night; victim of an
aerial connection gremlin I
believe, so that did reduce my
potential power usage.
Being on my own certainly
helped but I still had water
upon my return, although I
believe the tank level gauges
readings of 80% and 100%
remaining in the main and
auxiliary tanks, respectively, to
be somewhat, um, optimistic.
Showering was via the proven
bird-bath method: A quick
shower to wet down, having
already filled the hand basin
with hot water and lathered
up the flannel. Wash, then
a quick rinse off at the end.
It’s amazing how far you can
stretch your water supply this
way without compromising
personal hygiene.
Cooking on the Webasto
diesel-fired glass ceramic
cooktop is an acquired art
more suited to re-heaters
than cooks. Heat control is
limited and takes a fair time
to respond to thermostat
changes, while in the
mornings it took about 20
minutes to boil a small kettle.
Also, in summer the amount
of heat the cooktop generates
and radiates into the vehicle
is annoying, although it would
be most welcome in winter. A
gas cooking option would be
a great idea.
The dinette/lounge also made
a perfect mobile office (Issue
12 was produced there!) and
the bed proved comfortable,
although it’s a shame it’s only
as wide as a standard double.
After my week on the road I
was in the groove and could
just have kept going. The
Trakkaway 700 proved itself
a capable and desirable
travelling companion and even
as a prototype the test vehicle
felt sorted and composed. If
only I’d packed my portable
tabletop gas stove for a quick
coffee...
imotorhome.com.au
Sunrise at the tranquil Beardey
Waters, near Glen Innes. Note the
REMI cab blinds that snap into place in
seconds and provide total privacy.
Tested:
Trakka Trakkaway 700
imotorhome.com.au
Specifications
Manufacturer
Trakka
Model
Trakka Trakkaway 700
Base Vehicle
Fiat Ducato 180
Engine
3.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power
132 kW @ 4000 rpm
Torque
400 Nm @ 1500 rpm
Gearbox
6-speed automated manual
Brakes
ABS ventilated 4-wheel discs
Tare Weight
3690 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass
4490 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
Licence
Car
Passengers
4
External Length
6.99 m (22 ft 11 in)
External Width
2.39 m (7 ft 10 in)
External Height
2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
Internal Height
2.19 m (7 ft 2 in)
Rear Bed Size
1.95 m x 1.350 m (6 ft 5 in x 4 ft 5 in)
Cooktop
Webasto diesel-fired stove
Fridge
136 L 12/240 V
Microwave
yes
Lighting
12 V LED/Halogen
Batteries
2 x 100 AH
Solar Panels
2 x 135 W
Air Conditioner
Ducted
Hot Water Heater
Webasto diesel-fired
Toilet
Retractable Thetford cassette
Shower
Flex-hose
Fresh Water Tank
165-litres
Grey Water Tank
135-litres
Grey Water Tank
55-litres
Price
$169,500 drive-away NSW
Copyright © 2013 iMotorhome.com.au All rights reserved.
Pros
• Quality and Comfort
• Liveability
• Economy
• Solar
• Water capacity
• Standard equipment
Cons
• Limited external storage
• Diesel cooker won’t suit
everyone
• Bed could be wider
Contact
Trakka
9 Beaumont Rd,
Mt-Kuring-gai, NSW. 2080
Ph: (02) 1800 872 552
W: www.trakka.com.au
E: [email protected]
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