Trakka Trakkaway 760

WE LIKED
>> Driving the Ducato-powered rig
>> Front cab/lounge layout
>> Roller shutter doors on the cupboards
>> Powerpoints and 12V sockets in all the right places

NOT SO MUCH
>> Given other alternatives available and quality workmanship, not much
>> Rain and potholes on the highway!

The voyage between Brisbane and Sydney offers a traveller two choices: the more scenic, but heavily-trafficked, coastal route on the Pacific Highway; or the less populated New England Highway.

Having been offered a drive of a Trakka Trakkaway 760 motorhome from Brisbane to Sydney, I was considering this weighty matter when the decision was taken out of my hands.

It turns out the Pacific Highway was closed south of the border, so I set off for a couple of days of exploring the inland highway.

Trakka’s Trakkaway comes in several variants, ranging from the 7.3m (23ft 11in) club lounge layout to the 8.5m (27ft 10in) island bed model.

While each comes with the same basic layout, there are differences depending on customer requirements. Like the longer Trakkaway 850, the 760 layout features an island bed in the rear, but has a smaller bathroom.  

WARM AND DRY

Like any Trakka motorhome, the Trakkaway 760 is packed with features, and I was able to make good use of two, in particular.

The diesel-fired heater was a very good friend during the cool New England nights, while the Trakka-designed Rain Water Retrieval System did a great job during some downpours.

This clever system is incorporated into the motorhome’s rear wall moulding and is designed to catch and store up to 55 litre of rain water – great for the long-term free campers. 

As with other Trakkaway models (with the exception of the 790), the 760 is based on a Fiat Ducato cab bolted to an Al-Ko chassis. This setup means a GVM of 4490kg and load capacity of around 700kg.

Getting down the highway at a good speed with the 3.0-litre turbodiesel Ducato is a breeze. With 115.5kW and 400Nm of torque up its sleeve, the Trakkaway 760 moves along quite well, ably assisted by the six-speed auto gearbox.

Oddly enough, these Fiat automated manual gearboxes seem to work better with heavier motorhomes.

In addition to all the usual safety features, including driver and passenger air bags, there are cab comfort features like power mirrors and remote central locking, plus the optional entertainment/GPS navigation system and emergency start system, which runs off the house batteries.

It was the heavy rain that made me thankful for my chosen mode of travel – the Trakkaway’s self-contained and walk-through design meant there was no real need to get out of the motorhome, except at meal breaks in order to turn the gas on and off.

Built in the Trakka style, using vacuum-moulded composite panel construction, the 760 comes with Seitz double-glazed acrylic windows and a Dometic half-window door.

With some very streamlined mouldings, this unit manages to avoid the boxy look that is often a characteristic of motorhomes.

Given the low-height chassis, there aren’t many external storage spaces to be found. A good-sized rear boot is augmented by an offside rear gas cylinder bin and a small bin at the nearside rear.

The rear boot is at a good height for exterior access, and can also be accessed from the interior by lifting the bed.

ON THE INSIDE

Stepping into the 760 reveals a front lounge/dining, mid-offside kitchen, mid-nearside bathroom and rear bedroom layout.

Large windows all-round and two good-sized roof hatches supply plenty of natural light and ventilation, while ducted air-conditioning and heating are available when temperatures get too warm or cold. And once the sun goes down, LED and halogen lighting supplies a very good level of illumination.

This rig comes with a sophisticated electrical setup. Two 100Ah deep-cycle batteries supply the 12V load. In addition to the vehicle alternator, the batteries are charged by a 25A 240V charger and a 130W solar panel.

Everything is operated by the electronics panel mounted in the kitchen, along with the space and water heater controls.

Lightweight Euro ply, finished in a light hue, is used for the cabinetry, but instead of the more standard timber doors, Trakka has used their tried-and-tested roller shutter doors. The Innotech drawers are also definitely a cut above the usual.

Like many Fiat Ducato-based motorhomes, factory-fitted swivel seats have been neatly integrated into the design. Two sideways-facing seats directly behind the cab have a multi-position table between them which, along with the turned cab seats, can seat four people but is really more comfortable for two.

Both rear seats have seat belts and are equipped for extra passengers.

Pole-mounted above the kitchen bench, the 19in flatscreen TV can be seen from three of the four seats.

The luton bed on top of the driver’s cab measures 2.15x1.3m (7ft x 4ft 3in) and can also be used as an extra storage space, or just lifted out of the way.

WELL STOCKED

The kitchen bench is not exactly what you would call oversized, but it's home to a three-burner cooktop, stainless steel sink and a scraps bin, all with hinged glass lids.

Additional cooking capacity is supplied by a Spinflo grill/oven under the cooktop and a Sharp microwave above the adjoining 175litre three-way fridge.

Four drawers, a small wire basket pantry and an overhead locker provide most of the kitchen storage, although there's a small compartment above the microwave.

There isn’t a great deal of bench space, but a hinged flap at the forward end improves things slightly, as does a small shelf along the wall.

Trakka bathrooms are always a cut above the conventional, and the 760 is no exception. Although it’s a moulded unit, the bathroom includes a cassette toilet that remotely powers in and out, multi-faceted mirror above the vanity, timber grate, window and adjustable shower head.

Large windows on all sides flood the rear bedroom with light. Measuring 2.05 x 1.49m (6ft 8in x 4ft 10in), the bed comes with a large storage space underneath, which includes two drawers. There are also bedside cabinets, side wardrobes and overhead lockers.

The corner cupboards and storage compartments are of note because the nearside unit features a pole-mounted TV, while the offside has half-height mirror that can be rotated to suit. Both sides have shelf space and drawers.

VERDICT

Having essentially similar layouts for the entire Trakkaway range might sound like a disadvantage, but it’s really not. Trakka uses a general layout that is the result of many years of experience, yet builds enough flexibility into the design for individual customer preferences.

In the case of this 760, the unit comes with a rear island bed and a good-sized front lounge, but has only a moderately-sized (but adequate) bathroom.

This is a layout that definitely works for two people, and one that comes in a motorhome that’s a good length for easy driving. What more could a travelling couple ask for?

TRAKKA TRAKKAWAY 760 
Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato 
Engine: 3.0-litre turbodiesel 
Gearbox: Automated manual six-speed
Power/torque: 115.5kW at 3500rpm/ 400Nm @ 1700rpm
Brakes: ABS disc
Tare: 3790kg 
GVM: 4490kg
External length: 7.65m (25ft 1in) 
External width (incl awn): 2.39m (7ft 10in) 
External height: 3.1m (10ft 2in)  
Internal height: 2.2m (7ft 2in)
Cooktop: Spinflo three-burner/oven 
Fridge: Dometic 175 litre 
Microwave: Sharp Carousel 
Gas: 3 x 4kg 
Lighting: 12V, halogen
Toilet: Thetford cassette
Shower: Flexible hose vari-height 
Hot water: Truma 14 litre 
Fresh water: 165 litre 
Grey water: 135 litre 
Second stage compliance: Yes 
Price: $179,500 (drive-away, NSW)
Supplied by:
Trakka, Mt Kuring-gai, NSW