New Trakmaster Explorer goes on sale
First Track Trailer-built 14ft couple's hybrid heads all-new Trakmaster off-road caravan rangeMore than three years after taking over Trakmaster Caravans, Melbourne's Track Trailer has relaunched the brand with the introduction of a new compact Trakmaster Explorer off-road hybrid couple's caravan.
The first, long-awaited 'Track' version of a Trakmaster caravan is a 14ft (internal body length) single axle, full height caravan that has a lot in common in terms of design, construction and features with Track's other hybrid models, the Pioneer Verve and T4 pop-top.
It's the first of a number of new Trakmaster-branded caravans expected to be released by the Bayswater, Victoria based manufacturer, and follows the re-launch of the Pioneer brand in mid-2022.
Designed for tough Outback adventures, the new Trakmaster Explorer comes standard with a hot dipped galvanised chassis and uniquely tuned Trakmaster Trak Two independent trailing arm coil suspension, along with a Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling, Dexter Sway Control, 12in electric drum brakes, 16in alloys with off-road tyres and an ARK jockey wheel. Airbag suspension is an option.
The first, optioned up Explorer van unveiled recently to Trakmaster Owners Club members at Melbourne retail outlet Outback HQ, is fitted with optional jerry holders on the rear bar and optional Maxtrax on the rear wall, alongside the standard-fit reversing camera.
Externally, the Explorer also comes standard with the premium slide-out kitchen from the Tvan, a slide-out 95L Evakool fridge, a roll-out awning and sail awning to cover the front nose cone, and a number of storage options in the front boot and offside wall areas.
Inside, all Explorer layouts feature a rear combination ensuite and kitchenette area, along with bench seating and a removable tabletop, with the option for either a north-south or east-west queen bed, or twin single beds.
While similar in many ways to the $129,990 Pioneer Verve, the RRP$149,770 Trakmaster Explorer gets a few more features as well as more off-grid power as standard, including twin 250Ah Revolution lithium batteries and two 200W rooftop solar panels, a 2000W inverter and the Manager 30 and Redvision battery management units from Redarc.
The Trakmaster Explorer also comes standard with 250L fresh water and 50L grey water capacity.
Standing 3.0m high, just under 2.0m wide and a smidge over 6.3m long overall, the base Explorer weighs in with a Tare of 2060kg, an ATM of 2600kg, and a ball weight of 175kg.
Options available include another one or two more lithium batteries and an additional solar panel, an internal gas or induction cooktop and internal 85L fridge, a dust reduction system, an external induction cooktop (a three gas burner cooker is standard), a 27in TV and antenna, an external shower, and a fully enclosed awning and shade wall.
There's also the option to add some extra storage inside including a wardrobe, and opt for a composting toilet over the standard cassette unit.
The Explorer model name was previously used on a 13ft 6in airbag suspended pop-top caravan, but instead of fibreglass walls the latest Track-built model boasts fully insulated and powder-coated sheet metal body construction, similar to that used for other Track Trailer models.
Helping differentiate the new Trakmaster van from other Track models is a topographical map of the local Dandenong Ranges, representing the spiritual 'home' of Trakmaster caravans etched on the side panel, while each new Explorer will come with a custom Trakmaster numbered plaque fitted internally.
The new Explorer also gets a head-high opening window in its combination shower/toilet, while other standard internal features include twin Sirocco fans, caravan-style side windows, an over-bed pull-out clothes line, Webasto rooftop air conditioner and diesel hot air and water heater, a sink with mixer and filtered taps, and a 900W microwave and rangehood.
"The kitchenette in the back corner is completely customisable, so at the moment it's all drawers but you can have a fridge or a cooktop, including an induction cooktop. The rear of this van has jerry can holders but you can also specify a woodbox or spare wheel carrier," Track Trailer Marketing Manager Lloyd Waldron said.
When put to Waldron that the new Trakmaster Explorer was in many ways an 'optioned up' Pioneer Verve, he said: "The way I would describe it is the Pioneer is a Toyota and the Trakmaster is a Lexus".
Track says it plans to roll out bigger, tandem axle Trakmaster models in the future, and is keeping members of the Trakmaster Owners Club in the loop to ensure future models meet the requirements of existing Trakmaster owners looking to upgrade to a new Track-built version.
Trakmaster was founded in the early-1990s by Russell Seebach, who had a long background in all sorts of Outback travel, and bemoaned the lack of caravans built strong enough to cope with continuous remote area travel.
The company was sold to Ararat farm machinery manufacturer Gason Industries in mid-2016 and Gason shortly afterwards purchased former West Australian campervan manufacturer, Pioneer.
Both Trakmaster and Pioneer were acquired by Track Trailer in early 2020, and Track released the all-new Pioneer Verve around mid-2022.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
