Trakka VW Campervan 2005 Review

For many people, the venerable Volkswagen (VW) Kombi campervan, primarily the T2 model, was either their introduction to the RV lifestyle or else their abiding impression of what campervanning was all about.

With the onslaught of Japanese vans into the Australian market in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the VW campervan became so scarce it almost disappeared as a new van conversion. However, VW persisted with the T3 and T4 models, in the process moving from a rear air-cooled motor to a front water-cooled unit, until it gained back much of its lost market share.

Still not sitting on its laurels, VW has recently launched the T5 van, which looks to be every bit as successful as the T4 has grown to be.

Trakka is a van conversion company that has had a long association with VW going right back to early T2 conversions; indeed their slogan "Trakkabout with Trakka" seems to suit VW vans quite well. For our review, the NSW-based company loaned us a recent pop-top conversion based on a T4 Syncro van, but in addition to that, CW was also able to test drive an unconverted T5 van.

T4 road rules
VW's Syncro van is an AWD unit and CW's review vehicle was powered by a 2.5 litre turbodiesel that drives through a five-speed gearbox. Trakka has modified the suspension to lift the VW about 35mm, and then fitted Yokohama Geolander All Terrain tyres, thus lifting the vehicle a further 40mm so it has a much more acceptable ground clearance.

CW had not been for a spin in a VW van for quite a while, so it was with eager anticipation that we leapt behind the wheel - and we were not at all disappointed.

With a max power output of 77kW@3500rpm and a max torque of 250Nm@2000rpm, the 2.5 litre turbodiesel powered things along nicely. Having driven a few vehicles with a dash-mounted gear shift lately, it was almost fun to go back to a floor-mounted one - a bit of "real" driving, if you know what I mean! The only downside was that the gear stick was slightly in the way when moving to the rear of the van.

As well as the usual necessities of power steering and power disc brakes, the T4 also has dual airbags, power windows and power mirrors.

Although the VW has been raised from its original height, this seems to make little difference to its van handling abilities. In my experience Trakka conversions have few squeaks and rattles, other than the normal road-going noises, and this one was no exception, with everything well glued and screwed.

While we did not have long behind the wheels of VW's new baby, it was certainly an impressive drive. Remember diesel motors as being sluggish and producing dirty black fumes? Now you can forget about all that, as the T5 will be available with two diesel motor options in Australia: 1.9 litre or 2.5 litre. We got to drive the newer 2.5 litre turbodiesel that produces 96kW@ 3500rpm and 340Nm of torque at 2000rpm.

Behind the wheel, it's difficult to tell you are not driving a petrol motor. However, that motor probably won't be available in Australia as a rule. What will be on the market is an updated 2.5 litre motor that produces an astonishing 128kW@3500rpm and 400Nm of torque at 2000rpm.

If all these figures are looking a little blurry, what it comes down to is a very potent turbodiesel motor!

The smaller motor comes with a dash-mounted, five-speed gearshift and the large motor comes with a six-speed gearbox in either manual or auto. We've come a long way since the days of the humble T2 Kombi.

From the outside, because of the snug fit of the rising roof, there is not much indication of this being a campervan, apart from the Fiamma awning. However, a careful look along the sliding door reveals another clue - a rail for the clip-on table; the same table (in a bid to save space) that is also used inside the campervan.

An awning on sliding door vans is a very useful accessory because it can not only be used as a sun shade but also during times of rain. With the awning about halfway out, it prevents rain entering the van when the sliding door is open and that is most welcome in warmer climes.

An advantage VW vans have over their Japanese and Korean counterparts is the flat floor design, that is, easy access to and from the driver's cab. This also means the driver and passenger seats can be used for more than just driving.

Some of the Trakka team call their campervans "cars", and when you look inside their VW conversion it is not surprising why. They are similar to a large station wagon, with two front seats and a back seat, all with seat belts, and a luggage area behind the back seat, the base of which is a large cushion used for making up the bed.

Naturally there are a few differences: the kitchen plus storage space occupies most of the offside area and there is of course the rising roof. Unlike some other designs, the Trakka VW has a slightly more European look with the rising roof 'hinged' at the rear. While this may initially appear to reduce rear head height, it doesn't have much effect at all because of the interior setup.

Actually the pop-top lifts very easily: there's a two-stage unlocking mechanism at the front (much like a car bonnet) and when they are both released, gas struts lift the roof into position. Large screened windows on each side of the gusset supply plenty of light and ventilation. As part of its camper design, Trakka has retained part of the original van roof at the rear and this makes for a nice shelf when the roof is raised.

As you'd expect in a vehicle such as this the kitchen is quite basic, but with all the essentials - IndelB 85 litre 12V fridge, two-burner Origo cooktop and small stainless steel sink. One departure from the norm is the cooktop, fuelled by 'denatured alcohol' (methylated spirits to you and me), which means it can be used inside or out. Some people do not like metho-based cooking, but it does mean no gas lines or gas cylinder and in a van this size, it's a considerable space-saver. Above the sink is an Ellipse fluorescent light, 12V socket and a twin 240V power point.

The rear seat has a three-fold function. It can certainly be used as a seat in its fixed position, however, the swivel mechanism for the table is fixed to the base of the seat in such a way that when the seat is slid forward it can be used in conjunction with the swiveling passenger seat to form a dinette. When not being used, the table and leg are stored behind the driver seat. What we liked about this setup is that with the table out of the way, there's room to stretch out.

The seat folds down flat and, along with the rear cushion, forms a bed of about 6ft 2in x 3ft 10in (1.9m x 1.2m). The whole setup takes less than 30 seconds. Mounted on the roof in the rear of the van are two halogen reading lights. These may be a little high for some, but there are not too many other places to put them.

ADR certified
In the rear of the van, there's a small hanging cupboard on the offside, and also a flexible hose external shower that can be used when the tailgate is open.

Water supply is 12V pumped and there's a 15 litre heat exchanger water heater that also has a 240V element.

All the electrics, house battery and battery charger are hidden below a false floor in the rear offside cupboard. Although deep-cycle batteries are not normally used for starting motors, Trakka has an emergency starter switch in the event that the main battery is flat.

It's worth pointing out that the Trakka conversion, not just the original VW van, has the full ADR certification and that is something that not all manufacturers can claim.

The bottom line
While we've sung the praises of the new T5 unit as powerful, well designed and spacious, there is no doubting the advantages of a van such as the T4, which can be used easily as passenger transport and an around-town vehicle, yet still be a weekend escape machine. And with AWD ability as an added bonus, you can escape that much further.

Campervanning Kombi-style is not going to be for everyone though, mainly because it is for relatively lightweight travel and a certain amount of setting up and packing up is required at each campsite. However, Trakka's well fitted-out conversion is going to ensure that it is done with style.

Features such as the easily-erected rising roof and the bed that quickly folds out with minimal fiddling around make it all very easy. Even in a van this size, all minimal home comforts are fitted. Going for a Trakkabout with Trakka sounds like a good idea to us!

For more details contact Trakka P/L, 9 Beaumont Road, Mt Kuring-gai, NSW, (02) 9472 9000, email info@ trakka. com.au, www.trakka.com.au

Trakka VW Campervan
Manufacturer: Trakka
Model: Volkswagen LWB camper
Base vehicle: VW T4 Syncro AWD
Engine: 2.5 litre turbodiesel
Power: 75kW@3500rpm
Torque: 250Nm@1900-2300rpm
Gearbox: five-speed manual
Brakes: power disc, ABS
Seating: four
Berths: two
Cooktop: Origo two-burner (methylated spirits)
Fridge: IndelB 85 litre 12V
Price as reviewed: $86,880 plus o/r

We liked:
- Useable kitchen
- Awning over sliding door
- Euro styling
- Full ADR certification
- Powerful turbodiesel motor
- An impressive overall upgrade
- Versatile awning
- Metho-fuelled cooktop means no gas cylinder - a great space-saver

We would have liked:
- Gearshift off the floor (for the T5), rather than dash-mounted