Track Trailer in administration

Melbourne off-road RV manufacturer Track Trailer which recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of its iconic Tvan camper, has entered voluntary administration.

According to a statement on the Track website, the Bayswater, Victoria-based business this week appointed Barry Wight and Rachel Burdett of restructuring advisory firm Cor Cordis as voluntary administrators of Harvey Technology Pty Ltd and Outback HQ Pty Ltd, trading as Track Trailer.

“We’ve commenced an urgent review of Track Trailer’s financial position," the administrators said. "We understand there are parties looking to put forward a restructuring plan while we continue to trade the business.

"We’ve set up an email address for customers, employees, and creditors. We will regularly update all stakeholders as we work through the voluntary administration process."

Meanwhile, it's "business as usual" at Track's Melbourne headquarters which include manufacturing facilities for the Track Tvan and T4 hybrids, Pioneer and Trakmaster models, and the Outback HQ retail outlet which is also a Melbourne dealer for Cub Campers and Lifestyle Campers.

Due to the "current economic challenges", Track director Gerard Waldron said Track Trailer had decided to appoint voluntary administrators to help restructure and transition the business into a stronger financial position.

“The Australian RV market has significantly declined over the past 12 months due to cost-of-living pressures and its main customer group increasingly opting for overseas travel in 2024," Waldron said.

"I have not seen worse RV market conditions in over 25 years. Despite our attempts to reduce costs in response to declining sales, the economic conditions have compelled me to appoint administrators to explore a restructure."

The administrators are also seeking expressions of interest from potential investors in the business.

“For the immediate future it is business as usual, with the team working hard to minimise disruptions," he continued.

"We thank our customers for their understanding. Lastly, while the immediate future holds challenges, I believe the restructuring process will allow the business to continue growing when market conditions improve.”

Track's Marketing Manager Lloyd Waldron also blamed the flood of cheaper 'copy-cat' imports for dwindling sales of Melbourne-built Track, Trakmaster and Pioneer premium models.

"Australian Made has really lost its weight in key buying decisions for people... more people are buying imports in preference to Australian made (based) on price, and (ignoring) things like quality and (off-road) capability," he said.

"There's also a lot of confusion about the terminology of off-road. Some RVs claim to be off-road because they've got bash bars, independent suspension and stickers all over it saying off-road, but when you read the fineprint you can't take it off the tarmac," he said.

While demand for big-ticket, fully equipped off-grid models like optioned-up T4 hybrids and the range-topping Tvan Lightning remained relatively strong, he said there had been a dramatic drop-off in sales of Track's more affordable, volume-selling base models.

"I can tell you definitively our top-model and price (hybrids) are the ones that are still selling," he said.

Some good news for buyers is some great deals are currently being offered on 2022, 2023 and 2024-build Track, Pioneer, Lifestyle and Cub Campers on display at Outback HQ, with savings of up to $13,000 in some cases. The full list of discounted campers can be found here.