By Malcolm Street
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It is a bonus for any potential campervan or motorhome owner that the recreational vehicle industry is investing in varied designs and innovative layouts. Motorhome builders are constantly refining their existing models or releasing new models.
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Trakka is such a company. Associated for many years with the conversion of vans and 4WDs into an excellent range of campervans and motorcampers, in many ways it has set the benchmark for the campervan and motorhome market with quite a few innovations.
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A few years ago Trakka caused a ripple in the motorhome world by introducing the Sandpiper, the first of its C class motorhomes. It had all of the customary Trakka features, as well as some new concepts that didn’t take long to catch on. 
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The Sandpiper was initially produced on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis but in more recent times has Volkswagen unpinnings. Our test model followed what appears to be a very European trend of badge engineering: it has a Sprinter body shape but VW mechanicals.
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O the road
Following the trend of its contemporaries, the VW is almost car-like to drive. The 2.8 litre turbodiesel and five-speed gearbox work well in tandem and the Sandpiper handles just like a motorhome – neither a car nor a truck! 
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There’s a little bit of sideways ‘rock and roll’ but nothing more than might be expected. Like most other Euro-derived turbodiesels, the VW powers things along well enough and really doesn’t hold the following traffic up much at all. At just over 23ft (7m) long, the Sandpiper is a good size for people who like their comforts but don’t want a leviathan.&nbsp; 
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If map reading causes you and your partner some angst, then the Garmin Pilot 111 satellite navigation that Trakka has fitted might be for you. I did, however, turn it off once or twice when I got tired of being electronically told I was going the wrong way!
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Outside
Construction of the Sandpiper starts with the hot-dipped galvanised VW chassis. This is covered by a waterproof sealed floor covered in heavy-duty vinyl. Moulded fibreglass panels cover the aluminium frame and the walls and roof are fully insulated. 
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Like most of its contemporaries, the Sandpiper body is white but has a black lower waist area, black lined windows and, with our motorhome, a metallic grey driver’s cab. 
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Above the driver’s cab, the Luton sits slightly higher than the rest of the motorhome body but it&nbsp; retains a fairly streamlined Euro look about it, as does the whole vehicle. The Sandpiper has a relatively long, low overhang behind the rear wheels – I kept this in mind when reversing or travelling through rough undulations, but it’s not a problem for highway driving. In keeping with the Euro theme, all windows are double glazed 
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Seitz hoppers with integrated insect screens and blinds and the door has a screened and hinged window. 
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There are two external storage lockers along the rear nearside which provide access to the storage area underneath the bed. It’s not huge but will certainly host items such as deck chairs, hoses and a toolbox (even my overweight item). 
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A slide-out barbecue is an option, but if like spending many a pleasant evening under the awning, it’s an essential addition. Along the offside are the Thetford cassette door and the gas compartment for the two 4kg gas cylinders. On the nearside is an external shower and a rail for the Trakka clip-on external table. 
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Inside
CW quite likes Trakka interiors and the Sandpiper is no exception. With the entry door set about mid-motorhome, the dining and lounging area is in the front half and there’s the usual double bed in the Luton Peak. 
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Directly opposite the entry door is the kitchen bench and the rear is occupied by the nearside double bed and the bathroom tucked into the opposite corner. Generally the layout has a nice, open feel about it, especially as the only ‘boxy’ item – the bathroom – is fitted into the rear corner.
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Light grey and maple-stained Euro ply form the interior colour scheme and there’s light aplenty with large windows and a big Heki hatch above the dining/lounge area. All the windows with integrated blinds and screens have curtains as well, except for the kitchen and the driver’s cab. 
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Reflective Thermomat covers are provided for the latter and they work fine, but are a little fiddly to install quickly. That’s more a problem for a quick change than overnight stops.
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Lounging and dining 
There’s no doubt that Trakka has made full use of the flat floor design of the VW. Both the driver and passenger seats swivel around, which together with the nearside and offside lounge provide room for five people to sit. 
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At the dinette I really like the swivelling Zwaardvis (manufactured in Holland) table. It is rock solid when clamped up, but will swivel and slide every-which-way – so much so that when not required it can be pushed up against the offside seat to give easy access to the lounge and driver’s cab seats. 
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Above each lounge are storage lockers and there are the usual underseat areas, although the offside is partially taken by the deep-cycle batteries. 
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A small door allows access to the rear corner of the kitchen bench, but due to the seat cushions it’s a tad awkward to get at – best for keeping rarely-used items. Both lounges have halogen reading lights at each end and there’s also an overhead light.
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Catering
Being an L-shaped design, the Sandpiper kitchen looks compact but is in fact very well fitted out. Essential fittings include the Spinflo four-burner cooktop, grill and oven combination, enamel sink/drainer and, tucked into the corner, a garbage bin. Thank you, Trakka. 
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On the opposite side is the IndelB fridge/freezer, with the where-would-I-be-without-it microwave oven above. Although the latter is atop the fridge, it is still at a reasonably height for most people.
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There isn’t a great deal of benchtop space, with the exception of a handy hinged flap beside the cooktop. Four different sized drawers plus a small slide-out pantry provide a good selection of underbench storage. 
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There’s also a roomy overhead locker plus a hanging cupboard between the kitchen and lounge areas. This has wooden shutter doors and can be conveniently accessed from either side. 
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Sleeping
With this particular design, a couple can choose between two beds – one above the driver’s cab and the other in the rear nearside corner. I suspect most will opt for the latter. 
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Although it is fitted into the corner it really isn’t difficult to make, especially with fitted sheets. Windows on two sides give plenty of ventilation and in addition to the natural light there are two halogen reading lights. 
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There are overhead lockers and a small shelf fitted into the corner at the foot of the bed. This comes complete with a 12V and TV antenna connection, although only a flat screen TV will fit. 
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If I was being extremely picky, I’d be looking for a couple of hinged shelves at the bed head end. Fixed shelving wouldn’t work too well because the bed base lifts to reveal the storage area underneath.&nbsp; 
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The double bed above the driver’s cab is going to be well suited to visitors (or the grandchildren) and there’s the usual aluminium ladder for climbing in and out of bed. Windows at either end of the bed give some crossflow ventilation and reading lights are also fitted.
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In the bathroom 
Trakka bathrooms have a certain amount of style about them, mainly because they are not the traditional all-white. Although compact, this bathroom has a moulded fibreglass shower unit, swivelling Thetford cassette toilet and separate vanity sink. In the shower, the variable height flexible hose will be appreciated. 
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A gold star for Trakka for the additional fittings like the two mirrors, small shelf, soap holder and two towel rails. 
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Curiously, it was the door that caused some discussion. As you face the bathroom, it is hinged on the left. This proved to be a hit with those motorhome owners whose door is hinged on the right and the door butts up to the bed when opened. 
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In our Sandpiper, there wasn’t enough clearance of the bedclothes and the bed had to be slightly remade every time the door was opened. Not a big drama really – a shift of 20mm to the left with the door fitting and everybody will be happy. 
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Technology
There’s no shortage of technology in the Sandpiper, that’s for sure. Two 200 amp hour deep-cycle batteries supply 12V power. 
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These are charged by the vehicle motor, a 25 amp 240/12V battery charger or four roof-mounted 80W solar panels. Trakka has also installed its emergency start feature: if the vehicle motor battery is flat, the house batteries can be put in circuit to get the motor running. 
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All lighting is 12V, with downlights and reading lights just about everywhere you might want them. Trakka has quite a sophisticated light switching system whereby lights can be switched on and off at more than one point – it works well. 
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Also fitting into the technology category are the flat screen TV that can be used in either the lounge or bedroom, and the DVD/CD entertainment system conveniently located 
in the locker above the kitchen bench. The solar panel regulator also happens to be there.
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Summing up
In a nutshell, Trakka’s Sandpiper is a classy motorhome, with just about everything you might want for comfortable touring.
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For more information contact Trakka Pty Ltd, 9 Beaumont Road, Mt Kuring-gai NSW 2080, (02) 9472 9000, email: info@trakka.com.au or visit www.trakka.com.au
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We liked:
• Flexible Zwaardvis table
• Additional bathroom fittings
• Car-like handling
• Well fitted out kitchen
• Roomy, open layout
• Good use of VW flat floor design
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We would have liked:
• A shift of 20mm to allow bathroom door to clear the bed
• Hinged shelves fitted at the bedhead end
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Homestead Murray

Trakka Sandpiper 

Base vehicle: VW LT 46

Engine: 2.8 litre turbodiesel manual

Max power: 158kW@3500rpm

Max torque: 331Nm@800-3000 rpm

Gearbox: Five-speed manual

Overall length: 23ft 4in (7.1m)

Overall width: 7ft 11in (2.4m)

Maximum height: 9ft 10in (3.0m)

Interior height: 6ft 5in (1.95m)

Driver’s licence: C class

Advised GVM: 4490kg

Cooktop: Spinflo four-burner and grill

Oven: Spinflo Caro

Fridge: IndelB two door fridge/freeezer, 195 litre, 12V compressor

Microwave oven: Samsung 17 litre

Lighting: 12V

Batteries: Two x 200 amp hour deep-cycle

Fresh water tank: 150 litre

Grey water tank: 125 litre

Hot water: Heat exchange/240V

Price: $162,509 plus o/r (as reviewed with some options) 
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Trakka Sandpiper

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