Trakmaster Nullarbor

WHAT WE LIKED

• Overall build quality
• Open-plan interior
• Kitchen bench extensions

NOT SO MUCH

• Bed walkaround space a bit tight
• Missing things like a microwave and TV but that’s the owners’ decision


There are custom vans and there are custom vans. And when a caravanning couple walks into Melbourne’s Trakmaster Caravans with a list of specific requirements, they know they’ll get the exact van they’re after.

Some manufacturers build vans from a limited range, with an equally limited number of options. But according to Trakmaster’s Russell Seebach, his company’s clients have no such restrictions.

"We have several hundred different floorplans, but even then the customer decides exactly what goes where," he said. "These vans are completely custom."

SILVER STREAK

One look at this 18ft (5.5m) Nullarbor offroad van told us that Russell was telling the truth. It’s unique in the true sense of the word, and rather striking too, with its silver cladding dreamt up by the van’s owners, Lindsay and Anne Morris.

"We just wanted something different," Lindsay explained. The fact that his 200 Series Toyota LandCruiser is also silver is just a coincidence, he reckons, but we’re not so sure. It certainly makes for a good looking rig.

The van also features some colourful splashes with wrap-around green and orange decals. Another attention grabber is the black vinyl padding at the front that, when combined with black trim and chunky 17in black steel wheels, gives this van a tough-as-guts appearance. It looks like it could go just about anywhere.

With a Tare of 2343kg and an ATM of 3200kg, this Nullarbor is no lightweight, but its relatively short length combined with a solid tow vehicle like the LandCruiser means it will, according to Lindsay, "go just about anywhere".

TASTY SANDWICH

The van’s double-insulated sandwich walls sit on a full-length 6in painted chassis, with independent trailing arm coil suspension. This Nullarbor also comes with disc brakes on 2000kg stub axles, although these are not standard.

At the front, the drawbar is a very impressive-looking unit. It carries two 9kg gas cylinders and a jerry can, plus a Sens-A-Brake system. All of these items are well protected by a steel stoneguard.

There’s also a tap located on the nearside, while the van’s spare tyre and two more jerry can holders sit on the rear bumper.

Because there isn’t a front window, the front boot is especially generous, comfortably housing the jockey wheel and a number of other items. Additional exterior storage is handled by a front nearside bin and a tunnel boot that travels all the way through – perfect for fishing rods and tent poles.

The offside rear houses all three of the van’s 100Ah batteries connected to three 135W solar panels. Just behind the solar panels sits a scupper vent designed to pressurise the van and minimise internal dust.

In terms of outside living, there are no exterior dining features, like a barbecue or picnic table, but they could easily be added to this custom unit. The exterior does, however, have an awning, featuring some very nifty new anti-flap catches.

STUDIO LIVING

The obvious custom design of this van extends to its interior. This layout is not like many others you are likely to see though, with a rear lounge/kitchen, a bed in the middle, and shower/toilet combo and vanity up front.

What also sets this van apart is the fact these living spaces aren’t clearly defined by walls or partitions, making the interior feel more like a studio apartment than mobile home.

Large windows all-round add to the feeling of space, as do the white bench surfaces and the light ply finish throughout.

The L-shaped lounge greets you as you step in through the rear entry, and the deliberately small dinette table stays well out of the way for plenty of space. Despite the small table, however, the lounge itself is quite large and could easily seat four adults – two of them just wouldn’t have anywhere to put their plate in this configuration.

This van does have a 19in flatscreen TV above the offside fridge, but that’s an option. The designers at Trakmaster don’t see much point in putting a TV in a van designed for longer-term offroad travel, and Russell estimates about one out of 50 Trakmaster vans sold has one fitted.

GOURMET KITCHEN

On the left as you enter, the kitchen is a little wonder. What initially looks like a very small work space is increased by a fold-up extension and, in a particularly clever move, by a slide-out drawer that is actually another bench. It all quickly turns into a space fit for a gourmet chef.

Storage here is impressive, with three good-size drawers and two cupboards, one of which is very large. There is also a large pantry to the right of the entry with another four drawers and two large shelves.

The kitchen has a Thetford centre sink, Spinflo Triplex three-burner/oven with 12V rangehood and a 160 litre Waeco two-door fridge. There’s no microwave in this van, but that’s something you could specify at the design stage. It’s all lit by an LED strip above the bench.

With no partitions, the not-quite-queen-size bed does seem somewhat exposed in the middle of the van, but it works in the context of this interior.

The compromised space means there are no bedside cabinets, but some built-in shelves on one side and the end of the kitchen bench on the other mean both sleepers have somewhere to put their reading glasses.

A large two-door wardrobe sits at the front of the van. Bed walkaround space is somewhat limited, and the wheel arch does intrude a bit.

SMALL BUSINESS

The shower/toilet combo is intentionally on the small side, as Lindsay and Anne wanted to keep the van at 18ft. Nonetheless, the bathroom is adequate and fits a flex-hose shower and cassette toilet. A fan and window help with ventilation.

The vanity is simple but effective, with a large-ish mirror and sink. Bench space is limited, but storage is solid, with two small cupboards and two drawers underneath. Another slick LED strip above the mirror keeps things bright.

A Truma gas heater works to keep the water hot, and according to the owners, it does a great job.

There are LED lights located in all the right places throughout the van (inside and out), and there are double powerpoints in the kitchen, dinette, and at the vanity. Overhead lockers all-round provide great storage, too, and are well finished.

VERDICT

This Trakmaster Nullarbor is an impressive custom van built for some tough travelling by a company that knows what it’s doing, for a couple who knew what they wanted.

There are, no doubt, some features that some people would change, but that’s the beauty of a bespoke van – buyers can make any specification changes they desire at the design stage.

For those who want to get right off the beaten track in whatever style they are accustomed to, a Trakmaster Nullarbor would be a good option.

TRAKMASTER NULLARBOR

Overall length: 23ft 10in (7.27m)
External body length: 18ft (5.5m)
External width: 7ft 6in (2.29m)
Internal height: 6ft 5in (1.96m)
Tare: 2343kg
ATM: 3200kg
Ball weight: 161kg
Body: double insulated sandwich
Chassis: 6in painted (full length)
Suspension: independent trailing arm coil
Brakes: electro-pneumatic disc
Cooktop: Spinflo Triplex three-burner/oven
Fridge: Waeco 160 litre two-door
Gas: 2x9kg
Fresh water: 4 x 80 litre
Price as shown $74,671 (tow-away, Vic)
More info: Trakmaster Caravans