Seascape Trackbreaker 2022 Review

What represents good value in a caravan?

Is it the lowest-priced 'van in its segment, or the one with the most features for the money?

Trying to find any cheap or budget-priced caravan these days can be difficult, with the so-called 'COVID tax' bumping up new RV prices by as much as 40 per cent in some cases.

Many people associate good value with Jayco which can keep a lid on prices partly due to the economies-of-scale advantages of being Australia's largest RV manufacturer.

However, much smaller caravan builders with low overheads can also pass on savings to customers, as is the case with the latest Trackbreaker semi-off-road caravan from Seascape Caravans.

Seascape 'vans are produced by the same Campbellfield, Victoria-based manufacturer that built the Serenity Sunrunner we looked at last year, and sold by the same Rosebud, Victoria dealer, Our Van RV.

While a bit more expensive than the Sunrunner with its starting price of $75,590, the 20ft 6in Trackbreaker couple's van still delivers value for money while having a few more 'bells and whistles' to make it even more appealing to those who like heading further off the beaten track...

Whereas the Sunrunner was more of an entry-level touring van, the Trackbreaker sits higher in the range as a semi off-road model, and with more off-grid capabilities that many buyers are looking for these days.

It starts with an enamel-painted 150mm Supagal steel chassis, and its insulated timber frame clad in smooth Probond aluminium composite panels to give it a more sleek, modern look, while its independent trailing arm coil suspension, Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling, 10in electric drum brakes, and 15in alloy wheels and all-terrain tyres, are designed to cope with bumpy, dirt and gravel roads.

With a listed price of $82,848, our review 'van is set up for some off-grid camping with a dual battery box and optional 100Ah lithium battery, plus two 195W rooftop solar panels with a 30A regulator, and two 95 litre freshwater tanks and a grey water tank.

There's also a Sunpower diesel space heater fitted under the bed that, in conjunction with the rooftop air-conditioner, provides all-seasons interior comfort for that 'Big Lap'.

With its tall, boxy body measuring just over six metres long and close to 2.5m wide,
the Trackbreaker's designers had plenty of real estate to play with when it came to external storage, and for those who like to carry plenty of gear, it doesn't disappoint.

Starting at the front there's space on the extended A-frame for twin 9kg gas bottles and a couple of jerries, ahead of the large checker plate toolbox which is divided into two compartments; accessible from the top as well as sides.

Also up front is the diesel fuel container that feeds the space heater, along with a well-protected drawbar tap and big stone mesh guard to prevent stones peppering the shiny black checkerplate when travelling on gravel.

You can also squeeze a fair bit into the large gal-lined tunnel boot, with another gal-lined locker on the rear offside wall (next to the toilet cassette locker), holding a slide-out for a generator. A mains water connector, inlets for both fresh water tanks and the chassis-mounted battery boxes are also located on the offside.

There's just a single spare tyre on the three-arm bar at the back, although buyers will be pleased to see a hot-cold external shower, LED work light and a reversing camera on the rear wall.

Other desirable external features on this 'van include a near full-width Aussie Traveller roll-out awning and three onside lights, a drop-down picnic table, twin external speakers, gas bayonet, front spot light, and electrical sockets to power and watch TV outside.

One downside of the Trackbreaker's additional ground clearance is the extra effort required to enter the 'van through the rear security door, although a single pull-out step and a couple of grab handles are fitted if you need some assistance hauling yourself up and inside.

There are no real surprises inside the spacious and welcoming couple's layout, with a nice neutral grey and white colour palette chosen for the review 'van, and two roof hatches in the main living area, and four large double-glazed windows in total that run along both sides, contributing to the light and airy feel.

An inviting north-south queen bed with coil spring mattress is located up front, and the generous-sized kitchen area along the offside wall features a large stainless sink with drainer and filtered water tap, and a good amount of benchtop space on either side.

This particular layout also benefits from a huge club lounge/dinette opposite the kitchen, which offers acres of cushioned leatherette upholstery and a sturdy adjustable table with telescopic leg that's big enough to accommodate a few 'Happy Hour' drop-ins.

You won't find too many complaints about the well-appointed rear ensuite either, with its separate cassette toilet and large fibreglass shower with glass door, separated by a vanity with porcelain bowl sink and top-load washing machine, plus a few cupboards for linen and towels.

It's a good thing the Trackbreaker 'van offers an above-average 800kg-plus payload, as there are countless internal storage options inside, including cupboards and some shelving at all four corners of the bed, along with a large cavity under the bed, although a good chunk of this is taken up the space heater and an infill cushion that can be used to turn the dinette into another sleeping option.

There's excellent storage above and below the kitchen benchtop too, including a pull-out pantry, along with some handy storage spaces under and above the dinette.

Despite being close to 190cm tall, I never felt I had to stoop or squeeze around anything when moving inside the 20ft 6in Trackbreaker, with a good amount of headroom and walkways through the interior.

One minor gripe, packaging wise, was the microwave mounted high up above the 190 litre fridge/freezer, directly opposite the entry door, while the overhead lockers mounted directly above the ensuite mirror, might make shaving a chore for taller people.

Appliance-wise, there's some minor cost-cutting evident with a 'mid range' Sunpower diesel air heater fitted instead of a pricier European version, but otherwise the 'van was jam-packed with familiar brand-name appliances including an NCE microwave, Aussie Traveller 3.2kg top-load, BMPro battery manager, and an Ibis 4 air-conditioner, 190 litre three-way fridge and four-hob cooktop, grille and oven from the Dometic range.

Our review van also came with a larger 28in TV that mounts internally on an adjustable arm facing the bed or dinette, and located next to a Sirocco fan. Four reading lights complement the usual array of ceiling lights, and the BMPro Odyssey touchscreen was mounted near the entry door, not far from a basic audio unit and some wall-mounted leatherette magazine pouches.

Plugging in a toaster or coffee pod machine shouldn't be a problem, with 240V sockets located around the bed, kitchen and dining areas, along with USB electricals sockets in the bedside 'nooks' for keeping phones and tablets charged up.

There's a lot to like about the Trackbreaker, along as your tow vehicle is big and strong enough to cope with its three tonne-plus, three metre high bulk that's likely to be a handful on hilly or windy highway stretches.

Fit and finish was up to scratch, from a lack of rough edges on the chassis to nicely presented Postform benchtops and decent cupboard catches. However, as a relatively new brand in the marketplace (the Melbourne manufacturer has been building caravans since 2019), it might be worth talking to current owners of Serenity or Seascape caravans about any issues they might have had, if you're concerned about long-term durability and potential warranty issues.

The extra ground clearance and gal-protected water tanks, endow further confidence when heading off on longer trips, as do 'trip-ready' features like a Wozza connecting cable, AL-KO ESC stability control, and roof venting for the tropical rated fridge.

In case you were wondering, Our Van RV said there's a current waiting time of around seven months for new orders of Seascape caravans.

There's plenty of choice in the sub-$100K large rough-road caravan market, but the 19ft 6in Seascape Trackbreaker semi off-roader seems to have most of the things you need and want when spending weeks, if not months on the road, all at a price that shouldn't break the bank...

Price: From $75,590 (As reviewed $82,848)
Travel length: 9100mm
Body length: 6250mm (20ft 6in)
Body width: 2440mm
Travel height: 3100mm
Internal height: 2030mm
Tare: 2496kg
ATM: 3300kg
Ball weight (Tare): 210kg
Body: Meranti timber frame, aluminium composite cladding
Chassis:  150mm A-frame and chassis, enamel painted Sugagal steel
Suspension: Alpha tandem Trailing arm independent suspension, with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers
Brakes: 10in electric drum
Wheels: ARV alloy with Adventuro GT radial 235/70R-15 AT tyres  
ESC: AL-KO                                       
Water: 2 x 95L fresh water tanks, plus grey water tank
Battery: 2 x 100Ah AGM (optional 1 x 100Ah lithium battery)
Solar: Roof-mounted 195W glass panel
Gas: 2 x 9kg
Hot water: 28L Swift gas/electric
Cooking: 3+1 gas/electric cooktop, grille, oven and rangehood
Fridge/freezer: Dometic 190L three-way
Microwave: Yes
Toilet: Dometic cassette
Shower: Full-height one-piece moulded fibreglass
Lighting: LED
Air-conditioner: Dometic Ibis 4 roof-top
Air heater: Sunpower diesel
Washing machine: Aussie Traveller 3.2kg top-load
TV: 24in HD LED with built in DVD player
Audio: Bluetooth radio with internal/external speakers
Supplied by: Our Van RV, Rosebud, Victoria
More info: Seascape Caravans