Trakka Trakkaway 800

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Trakkaway
Trakka goes Sprinter and rear-wheel drive
for its new Trakkaway 800…
Trakka launches its Trakkaway 800
on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter…
Review and images by Malcolm Street
2 | Day Test: Trakka Trakkaway 800
Low profile Aero2 nose gives the
Trakkaway 800 a sharp, edgy look. It
also helps with fuel consumption, but
sacrifices an over-cab bed. Optional
Aero4 nose fixes that. Black paint might
not suit everyone, but there’s no denying
it’s a change from all-over white.
O
ne of the more successful motorhome
designs has been Trakka’s coachbuilt
Trakkaway range. The current range
has been built on the front-wheel drive Fiat
Ducato/Al-Ko chassis combination (except
for an initial offering on the rear-wheel drive
VW Crafter), but the latest offering is built
on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter cab-chassis.
This marks a return to rear-wheel drive and
will certainly please many potential buyers,
especially those looking to tow.
Unusually, our review vehicle’s external finish
was mostly black, which is an interesting
departure from the usual white.
3 | Day Test: Trakka Trakkaway 800
Rear slide-out extends the
main bed and overcomes legal
limitations associated with
overhang past the rear axle.
Below: Large over-cab roof
hatch can be left open while
driving, if desired.
The Vehicle
M
easuring 7.92 m
(26 ft) the Trakkaway
800 is built almost to
the maximum allowed length
of 8 m. That limit is due to the
maximum rear overhang being
60 per cent of the wheelbase
and is one reason Trakka
has incorporated its rear
slide-out bed into the 800’s
design. Whilst on the chassis,
a look under the motorhome
reveals a chassis extension,
which looks like original Benz
engineering, to accommodate
a towbar.
The moulded fibreglass panels
on each end and the vacuummoulded composite panels
used for the walls are standard
Trakka-produced fare – so
therefore very strong and of
high quality. Our motorhome
came with Trakka’s Aero2 lowprofile nosecone, complete
with Skyview hatch, but one
of few options available is
the Aero4 front end, which
accommodates an over-cab
bed and therefore makes the
motorhome good for four
people to sleep.
4 | Day Test: Trakka Trakkaway 800
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t
Trademark Trakkawayseries front lounge is open,
comfortable and practical.
enjoy driving the Trakkaway 800.
Still on mouldings, one of the
other options is the Rain Water
Retrieval System, which fits
neatly around the rear wall and
allows for 55 litres of rain water
to be collected.
Largish Seitz double-glazed
hopper windows are a
feature of the 800, as is a
Dometic unscreened entry
door. Storage space is quite
generous, with the largest
bin being at the rear and
accessible from both the
nearside and the rear. The
latter is slightly awkward to
get at with the rear slide-out
open (mind your head), but
does offer good storage. It
also happens to be where
the external clip-on table is
stashed (under the base of the
bed), which on our prototype
unit was set a bit low but will
be raised on future models.
On the Road
I
’d be lying if I said I didn’t
enjoy driving the Trakkaway
800. Powered by the largest
of the Sprinter turbo-diesels –
the 3.0 litre 140 kW V6 – the
engine delivers plenty of grunt
underfoot and the supersmooth 7 speed full-automatic
5 | Day Test: Trakka Trakkaway 800
Despite its near 8 metre
length the Trakkaway
800’s compact deign
makes negotiating
rougher campsites easy.
gearbox (not an automated
manual) slides effortlessly
through the gears. Our review
motorhome came with a
rear vision camera built into
the radio/CD player/Sat Nav
system, but the Trakka team
tell me future models will have
it as a separate unit. Being
built as a B-class motorhome
there is no over-cab bed, so
getting to and from the cab to
the rear is quite easy. A bonus
of the Skyview hatch is that is
can be left open when driving,
thus ensuring a breezy airflow
without too much buffeting.
Surprisingly for a prototype
motorhome, there were few
squeaks and rattles, which are
sometimes present beyond
the normal motorhome noises.
Living Inside
I
f you are au fait with
Trakkaway layouts then
inside the 800 is going to
look a bit familiar. To the left
of the entry door are two
inwards-facing lounges, plus
6 | Day Test: Trakka Trakkaway 800
Although I quite like the
Fiat Ducato-based Trakkaways,
there’s no doubt the use of
the Sprinter cab-chassis will
enhance its appeal.
7 | Day Test: Trakka Trakkaway 800
Kitchen is smallish but
makes excellent use of
available space. Note the
raised shelf and flip-up
bench extension that
add valuable space with
minimal intrusion.
the swivelled cab seats that make up the
lounge area, while opposite the door is the
kitchen. That gives space to the right of the
entry door for the bathroom, leaving all the rear
for the bedroom; the bed of which fits neatly
into the rear slide-out. In saying it’s a familiar
layout, that’s not to be taken as a negative
comment at all. It’s obvious that Trakka has a
layout that works well and that its customers
like and I certainly don’t have any trouble living
with it, either. Trakka's trademark roller shutter-
style doors are used on the overhead lockers
and a number of the cupboards.
Lounging Around
U
p front, the lounge/dining area is one
that’s makes full use of the swivelled
cab seats. They are fairly close in height
to the inwards-facing lounges, so two can sit
back in comfort and if guests arrive there’s
good room for them as well.
8 | Day Test: Trakka Trakkaway 800
When dining time comes around the Zwaardvis
mounted table, which is stored in the bedroom
when not being used, can quickly be set up.
One of the features of Trakka’s pole mounted
TV, which is fixed to the end of the kitchen
bench, is that it's easily seen from most of the
seats. That might sound like a bleedin' obvious
statement, but I've been in a few motorhomes
where TVs are mounted in some not easily
viewed locations.
Two handy compartments are built into the
front edge of the kitchen bench, one with
v240 and 12 V sockets for battery charging
devices. Much of the space under the offside
seat has been taken by the battery, charger,
inverter, etc, but the air space above has not
been wasted – Trakka’s built-in a lift out storage
box that can easily be utilised for light weight
items.
Time to Eat
A
s with many of its designs Trakka has
opted for an L-shaped kitchen. It's a bit
European in its sizing (smallish) but still
Kitchen is best for one chef at a time!
Despite its compact dimensions
it includes a full oven with grill.
Drawers are self/soft closing, too.
9 | Day Test: Trakka Trakkaway 800
has all the necessary items, including a raised
shelf along the front edge that uses air space
below to improve the bench top area. Against
the wall is a three-burner cooktop with grill/
oven below. That leaves space in the right
angled section for the adjoining sink/drainer.
The under-bench area is fully utilised by
drawers and a slide-out wire basket pantry.
Adjoining the kitchen bench to the rear is the
184-litre fridge, with microwave oven above,
and plate/cup storage above that. One of the
little bugbears of the microwave-above-thefridge setup (and therefore being too high) has
been resolved here thanks to the steps leading
to the bedroom.
After Hours
O
ne of the advantages of a rear
wall slide-out is that the rest of the
motorhome can be used whether it’s
in or out (it also means that if it gets stuck out
you can still drive - Ed). Even if you are too
tired to push the slide-out switch the bed can
still be used, albeit with a bit of a scramble by
the nearside sleeper.
Measuring 1.95 m x 1.35 m (6 ft 5 in x 5ft 5 in),
the bed has curved corners for easy access
and good walk around space. Because of
Sturdy wire basket pantry
is a great feature, as is the
under-seat lift-out storage
unit above the battery
charger and other electrical
componentry.
10 | Day Test: Trakka Trakkaway 800
The island bed, at the rear, can
also be used if the slide-out isn’t
extended. It just restricts bed
access. The large roof hatch,
side and rear windows, plus the
12 V fan, ensure plenty of light
and fresh air.
the rear slide-out the bed
base does not lift, but there
are drawers on either side.
Additionally, there’s a good
selection of cupboards,
wardrobes and drawers in
all the usual places around
the bedroom area. None are
particularly large but that’s
frequently more practical in
actual use.
The lower half of the corner
beside the shower cubicle is
taken up by the housing for
the cassette toilet, but the
space above is mostly for
the pole-mounted flat screen
TV. In some ways the pole
mount arrangement is less
flexible than a swivel arm
but it certainly offers much
in the stability and strength
department, not to mention
11 | Day Test: Trakka Trakkaway 800
Bathroom space is maximised
by a retractable toilet unit that
slides away beneath the vanity.
being easy to use. A cutaway has been built
into the cabinet to accept the bed when it’s
closed up, but it also doubles as a seat if you
don’t like bending over to lift the table and pole
mount out of its storage area.
Keeping Clean
I
n the space efficiency department the
Trakkaway 800’s Switch Mode Bathroom
(SMB) is a winner, due to the remotely
controlled slide-in, slide-out cassette toilet that
hides under the vanity when not being used.
This allows the cubicle to be made to a size
more than sufficient for showering comfortably
(and using the vanity), without making it a
vehicle interior space hog. It’s also quite light
and bright, with a large roof hatch and window,
plus plenty of wall mirror area.
In the space efficiency department the
Trakkaway 800’s Switch Mode Bathroom (SMB)
is a winner.
12 | Day Test: Trakka Trakkaway 800
Electrics
What I Think
n a motorhome like this the electrics are
going to be quite sophisticated. The twin
100 AH deep cycle batteries are charged
by either the Sprinter’s smart charger, the
mains-supplied 25 amp charger or the 120
W solar panel. The latter might not sound like
a good capacity, but given this motorhome
has full LED lighting with selectable levels
of illumination and a three-way fridge,
living remotely for a number of days should
not be a problem. Water capacity, a very
generous 165-litres, might be the limiting
factor. Naturally you’ll have to survive
without the microwave and air-con. but hey,
that’s “roughing it”! On the subject of air
conditioning, these days there’s a good range
of 12 V fans available, one of which has been
fitted into the bedroom.
t’s a bit hard not to be impressed by the
Trakkaway 800. It’s certainly the result of
continuing design evolution I think I first
saw in New Zealand some six or seven years
ago, when Trakka had some interests across
the Tasman. Although I quite like the Fiat
Ducato-based Trakkaways, there’s no doubt
that the use of the Sprinter cab-chassis will
enhance the motorhome’s appeal.
I
I
Although the 800 ain’t cheap it offers
much for the discerning motorhomer;
especially one who desires comfort and style,
plus the appeal of the three-pointed star on
the bonnet.
13 | Day Test: Trakka Trakkaway 800
Specifications
Manufacturer
Trakka
Model
Trakkaway 800
Base Vehicle
Mercedes Benz Sprinter 519 CDI
Engine
3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel
Power
140 kW @ 3800 rpm
Torque
440 Nm @ 1400-2400 rpm
Gearbox
7-speed full automatic
Brakes
ABS Disc
Tare Weight
4100 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass
5000 kg
Towing Capacity
2000 kg
Licence
Light Rigid Truck (LR)
Approved Seating
4
External Length
7.92 m (26 ft)
External Width
2.39 m (7 ft 10 in)
External Height
3.05 m (10 ft)
Internal Height
2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
Rear Bed Size
1.95 m x 1.35 m (6 ft 5 in x 5ft 5 in)
Cooktop
Thetford 3 burner with grill/oven
Fridge
Dometic 184-litre three way
Microwave
Sharp Carousel
Lighting
12 V LED
Batteries
2 x 100 AH
Gas
3 x 4.0 kg
Heater
Webasto diesel
Solar Panels
1 x 120 W
Air Conditioner
Optional
Hot Water Heater
Truma 14-litre gas/electric
Toilet
Thetford cassette
Shower
Variable height flex hose
Fresh Water Tank
165-litres
Grey Water Tank
165-litres
Price (on road NSW)
$210,000
Pros
• Easy driving
• Comfortable front lounge
• Storage compartments
everywhere
• A host of clever design features
• Sophisticated electrical system
Cons
• Black not an ideal colour
• Smallish kitchen area
• Slide-out limits rear boot
access
Contact
Trakka
Click for
Google Maps
9 Beaumont Rd
Mt Kuring-gai NSW
Ph: 1800 872552
E: trakka@trakka.com.au
W: www.trakka.com.au
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Road Tests click here
14 | Day Test: Trakka Trakkaway 800
The rear slideout increases
bedroom space but won’t immobilise
the vehicle if it gets stuck open, like a
conventional sideways opening slideout could. Sideways opening door
helps rear boot access, too.
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