Track updates T4 Series hybrid

The 26-year old Melbourne manufacturer of hardcore campers has been busy in its first year under new ownership. At its recent Outback HQ annual open day, Track launched two refreshed ranges - its latest generation Tvan pod camper and an updated T4 hybrid.

The RRP $160,000 MY26 T4 Series with distinctive automotive-style windows, sleek profile and a clean two-tone look clearly stands out from the crowd, and it would be fair to assume that the aesthetics are all new.

But it turns out the cutting-edge look appeared in Track’s first-generation T4 back in 2019. And if we turn the clock back further to around 2007, we learn that Track’s off-road ready pop top, Topaz, was among the pioneers of the concept that we now know as the 'hybrid camper'. 

The headline changes for the latest Track 4 model include increased solar capacity, expanded lithium storage, refined styling, more standard features and a newly engineered chassis and suspension.

Like the previous T4 and Topaz, there's a real utilitarian feel inside the MY26 T4 including exposed fasteners and rugged-looking storage compartments. Innovation includes central locking internal drawers, so you don’t have to check each drawer is latched when you hit the road. 

Perhaps even greater convenience comes in the form of a push-button roof lifter/closer that takes some of the hard work out of owning a pop top.

There’s a touch of warmth with the timber look bench tops and clean lines, thanks to the compact fridge and microwave sitting below bench height.

The space feels quite open because there appears to be no dining table. However, it's cleverly concealed under the bed and can be deployed with ease.

A dash of flair comes with the unique windows running down both sides of the 'van, providing the most panoramic outlook I have seen in any hybrid. Sure, you can’t have tall windows because of the pop-top design, but it’s still impressive. 

The north-south queen-sized bed pretty much fills up the full width of the interior, except for some narrow storage compartments running the full length of the bed on both sides.

Creature comforts are plentiful with a combination shower and toilet (a compost toilet is optional), underbed reverse cycle air-conditioning and a diesel space/water heater.

Everything about the T4 exterior says purpose-built – particularly the pull-out stainless steel kitchen. It features a three-burner gas cooktop with some impressive windshields, a decent-sized kitchen sink, a couple of handy drawers, plus 240V power points on hand.

A useful drawer fridge (to complement the internal fridge) is stashed in a compartment just in front of the kitchen to complete the meal preparation experience.

Also carried over is the huge fibreglass nose cone that opens up to reveal a versatile storage area for bulky items.

The cone hinges up right out of the way, making the space highly accessible but also prone to items falling out when you open it. Fortunately, the compartment has multiple anchor tracks to make it easy to strap contents down.

Underneath the cone is a deep, heavy-duty drawer more suited to smaller, heavier cargo. At the rear, the bumper looks robust and simple with two jerry can holders.

The MY26 T4 continues with Track’s highly regarded proprietary MC2 off-road suspension – originally developed for the military. The rest of the running gear is top-notch with a revised in-house built chassis, the now ubiquitous Cruisemaster DO-35 coupling, 17in alloy wheels and decent quality Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tyres 

The updated T4 also packs plenty of power and water. Two lithium batteries give you a total of 500Ah, three 200W solar panels equate to 600W, a Redarc Manager Alpha 50 enables charging through the car, and a Redarc 2000W inverter completes the package.

The options list lets you step this up to as much as 1500Ah battery, 1000W solar, a 3000W inverter and a higher-rated DC to DC charger. The standard 210 litres of freshwater on board is better than many larger caravans, and the 50 litre grey water tank will be adequate most of the time if water is disposed of sensibly.

Apart from Outback HQ in the Melbourne suburb of Bayswater, which also sells the Trakmaster Explorer and Hitch Canning box camper, Track's locally-built campers are sold at Camperact in NSW, Atlas RV and Horizon Campers in Queensland, George Day Caravans in WA, The Dirt Off Road Campers in SA, and XGRiD Campers in Las Vegas, USA.

Related: Track Trailer T4 2019 Review