Trakka Trakkaway 700

WE LIKED:
>> Motorhome body design including rear slide-out
>> Energy saving LED lighting, lithium batteries
>> Well-proportioned internal layout

NOT SO MUCH:
>> We’d prefer gas rather than diesel cooktop/grill

For some months, Trakka’s Dave Berry has been dropping hints that something new and interesting was being developed. The Trakkaway 700 has finally emerged from out of the factory and on first, as well as second and third glances, it’s been worth the wait.

If I can make a sweeping statement, Trakka’s coach-built motorhomes have generally had two characteristics – a distinctive moulded luton peak and no slide-out. But the Trakkaway’s front is swept back at an angle and it has a rear wall slide-out.

Trakka has used the tried and trusty Fiat Ducato for the base vehicle. The Multijet 180 model comes attached to an AL-KO chassis which is fitted with AL-KO’s Level Controller (ALC). The ALC is used instead of a conventional shock absorber and it automatically sets the level of the motorhome.

It’s not airbag suspension, which relies on an external air source, but one which uses vehicle motion to power an internal oil/gas system.

COMPLEX CURVES

Not surprisingly, the Trakkaway 700 body fits the Ducato very well. A close look at the fibreglass body reveals a number of complex curves where areas such as the roof are curved both fore and aft and to the sides.

This not only makes for a better looking motorhome but has practical value as well – rainwater runs off the roof and the mouldings on the rear wall act as a rainwater retrieval system. Those same rear mouldings are curved inwards, not only improving the air flow but preventing the boxy look which is common in many motorhome designs.

The rear wall slide-out is not full height but it has one of the smoothest and quietest operations I have experience. Like the rest of the motorhome, the slide-out has complex curves for design and sealing purposes and also has curved corners on the external corners – so there are no sharp edges to bump your head on.

The slide-out gives the 700 an external length of just under 7m but it has enough space inside for a full island bed, without squashing too much of the living area.

Its 7m length is certainly an asset for those who don’t like to drive a long motorhome and I found this a particular advantage on my test drive.

From the Trakka factory, I planned a short trip to Wisemans Ferry, north-west of Sydney, via Galston Gorge. For those not familiar with this area, there a number of hairpin bends, as well as a steep descent and ascent so both the length and the 132Kw/400Nm turbodiesel motor were well-tested.

Incidentally, the 132kW/180 Multijet version of the Ducato is only available in Australia in motorhome form. Delivery truck and van operators have to put up with the lesser powered 109kW/350Nm 150 Multijet model.

At Wisemans Ferry, there are plenty of accommodation options. There are two caravan parks, including the excellent Del Rio Riverside Resort which has full river frontage; and the Mill Creek camping area in the Dharug National Park. I headed for the latter which offers very basic facilities but with the fully-equipped Trakkaway 700 that wasn’t really a problem.

DESIGNED TO IMPRESS

Inside the motorhome you’ll find a front lounge/dining area, a mid-offside kitchen, mid-nearside bathroom and the bedroom in the rear, incorporating the slide-out.

Decor is in the traditional Trakka style with some new grey roller shutter doors on the cupboards and overhead lockers.

The Seitz hopper windows allow plenty of light into the motorhome by day and, by night, the sophisticated LED light system kicks in, including clever blue/violet strip lights which are concealed in various places. These are perfect for romantic effect – or a night light, depending on your nomadic preferences.

Trakka has retained the Ducato cab with its motorhome cut-out and swivelling cab seats, which integrate with a two person seat on the offside to form a simple lounge dining area.

There are two tables – a hinged table on the wall which is quick to set up and ideal for drinks; and a larger table mounted on a Zwaardvis frame. The latter is stored in bedroom along the nearside wall.

The motorhome’s floor is stepped so all the seats are at the same level, and filling the area behind the passenger seat is a small cabinet with a pole-mounted TV above. This arrangement gives both a solid mounting for the TV and one with a variable height, but the TV has to be in the low position so it’s possible to see out of the window behind. 

Overhead lockers of various sizes all provide useful storage space and I particularly liked the above-cab units for stashing day-use items.

Immediately above the cab seats, a forward-facing curved hatch has been fitted. It comes with an integrated blind and insect screen and can be left open when driving because it’s front hinged. There’s nothing like a bit of fresh air flow when driving, I always reckon.

DIESEL COOKING

Several Trakka motorhomes feature an L-shaped kitchen but the 700 has a straight bench which comes with a Webasto diesel-fired cooktop, a round stainless steel sink, and a Waeco 136 litre 12V compressor fridge.

The diesel cooktop is a feature in quite a few Trakka motorhomes and is standard for this model. Although they work quite well, the heating cycle is slower than a gas cooktop and I suspect impatient types (like yours truly) might find that a problem.

Kitchen drawer space is excellent and although there are three overhead lockers above the kitchen bench, only one is free for items like cups and plates. The other two contain the microwave oven and the all-important control panel for electrics and heating, both space and water.

The combo 20 litre water heater unit takes up the external bin at the rear offside, is diesel-fired and works on an intercooler unit.

Like most other Trakkas, the 700’s bathroom has both well-appointed features and décor. It does, of course, have the Trakka-developed remote control Thetford cassette toilet. For those not familiar with this device, it’s a great little space-saving device, as the loo can be remotely moved under the wash basin and out of the way when it’s not needed.

A different set of buttons on that same remote control will operate the slide-out in the rear of the motorhome, but it’s probably a good idea not to get those two confused in the middle of the night.

One of the features of the slide-out is that the rest of the motorhome can still be used when it’s closed up. Although the bed can also be used this way, it’s a bit of a high clamber over the end and entry from the steps on either side is much easier.

The bedroom area comes fully fitted out with windows all around, cupboards, mirror and a flatscreen TV.

Although the latest LED lighting is quite visible, not quite so obvious are the new 100Ah lithium batteries that are fitted to the 700. These have the advantage of high capacity and constant discharge voltage, charged by mains and vehicle chargers, as well as the two 135W solar panels.

The new lithium batteries are quite expensive but are so good that Trakka are testing their capabilities without solar panel back up.

VERDICT

The Trakkaway 700 is already creating interest and it’s not hard to see why. It’s also drawing sales from the Torino – another Trakka motorhome and Ducato van-based conversion.

And that’s not hard to see why either – the 700 comes with an island bed and more internal space for a similar length motorhome. 

Summing up, it’s a well-designed rig with its rear slide-out and comes with all the usual features we have come to expect in Trakka motorhome as well as a few new ones.

TRAKKA TRAKKAWAY 700

Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato 180 multijet
Engine: 3.0-litre turbo-diesel 
Transmission: six-speed AMT auto
Power/torque: 132kW at 3500rpm/400Nm at 1400rpm
Brakes: ABS Disc
Tare weight: 3690kg 
GVM: 4490kg 
External length: 6.99m 
External width (incl awn): 2.39m
Internal height: 2.19m
Internal height (bedroom): 1.84m
Cooktop: Webasto diesel 
Fridge: Waeco 136 litre 12V comp
Microwave oven: Sharp Carousel
Gas: n/a 
Lighting : 12V LED
Toilet: Thetford Cassette
Shower: Flex hose, vari height 
Hot water: Webasto diesel 20 litre 
Fresh water: 165 litre 
Grey water: 135 litre 
Second stage compliance: Yes 
Price: $169,500 (NSW)
Supplied by:
Trakka, Mt Kuring-gai, NSW