2013 Camper Trailer of the Year awards

OFFROAD

CAMPER OF THE YEAR 2013

OFFROAD

CAMPER OF THE YEAR 2013 PRESENTED TO

TRACK TRAILER

TOPAZ Series II

A SPACIOUS and luxurious Offroader built on rock-solid foundations.

WORDS JOHN WILLIS

64 campertraileraustralia.com.au

M

elbourne-based Track Trailer enjoys one of the longest histories and biggest reputations in the Australian camper trailer market.

The once-modest company catapulted to great heights after gaining military contracts to supply rugged, well-equipped trailers to our armed forces. Track Trailer’s unique Mobility Category 2 (MC2) Asymmetric Link suspension system was the result of intense testing and we enjoy its benefits throughout the current range of recreational trailers, including the highly successful Tvan and now in the latest Topaz Series II. The Topaz is the love child of a Meccano

set and a Transformer. Its demeanour is unmistakeably mechanical; the product of a company that utilises the latest in material development and design capabilities to produce a funky and functional yet extremely strong and comfortable trailer. The Topaz was one of the longest and heaviest trailers competing at OCOTY, yet its MC2 suspension carried it with ease through the gruelling array of river crossings, up steep ascents and down descents on slippery goat tracks, and over difficult obstacles like washouts, boulders and exposed tree roots.

The Topaz’s welcoming interior became a hub for the CTA crew, drawing our weary band

above: The Topaz Series II looked sleek and capable as it skulked through the subtropical rainforest of Barrington Tops.

campertraileraustralia.com.au 65

OFFROAD

CAMPER OF THE YEAR 2013

TRACK TRAILER TOPAZ SERIES II

66 campertraileraustralia.com.au

nick Mannell

10 X-factor

9 Value for money

8 Ease of use

7 Specifications and comforts

6 Offroadability

5 Build quality and construction

4 Quality of finish

3 Bushability

2 Innovation

and a simple pull-out clothesline across the head of the bed, indicating the Topaz has been designed by experienced travellers.

Ergonomic values have been carefully considered, with a full-height doorway leading to the kitchen, where the benches are a comfortable height. The kitchen is compact and efficient with a Swift four-burner cooktop with separate grill, a microwave, rangehood, stainless sink with hot and cold water combined with a Waeco 12/240V, 80L upright fridge-freezer and a surprising amount of bench, cupboard and drawer space. There is a full-length queen bed that easily converts to a king via an inset, dinette seating for two, roller blinds on the windows and a full entertainment system including a TV, DVD/CD, AM/FM radio and mp3 player with iPod dock.

The Topaz features a full raft of electrical components including two 105Ah AGM batteries, a Projecta battery monitoring system, 25A multi-stage battery charger, individually fused circuits with isolator, 240V safety switch, a portable 120W folding solar panel and a 150W Projector pure sine-wave inverter.

The practicalities continue with the Amplimesh door vent, doorway grab handle, twin 4kg gas bottles, twin 70L water tanks with electric pumps, 10L Truma gas/electric hot water system and two 105Ah fully sealed batteries. The LED lighting sets the scene

clockwise from above left: One might easily confuse this kitchen with that of home; The queen bed converts to a king if needed and is well ventilated by large windows and twin fans; The pop-top roof provides enough head room for the tallest of blokes; cook alfresco with the Sovereign barbecue as standard; Home is where you hang your hat.

Stuart JoneS

like bees to honey when the inclement weather got the better of us.

There’s plenty of room to move in the Topaz especially when the large pop-top is extended, giving a spacious and airy feel. It even has a fully-equipped internal kitchen to prepare warm offerings for the troops.

It’s the little things that often make a camper feel like home. The Topaz has hat racks fitted to the ceiling, a wardrobe to hang the dress threads for those special, more civilised nights,

at night and a programmable Caframo Ecofan ensures the air is moving on those steamy tropical nights. Track uses a special laser-cut, foam-core, double-sided aluminium ‘exoskeleton’, which creates a well-insulated independent framework, eliminates the need for internal frames and maximises the available space. The amount of storage is therefore huge, including a double-sided locker for the porta potti, which is accessed from outside the trailer but can be stored inside at night.

The most obvious feature outside the trailer is the large aerodynamic nose cone with solid metal stone deflectors and enough storage for an army. There’s a checkerplate insert on the drawbar allowing safe access to the firewood/ luggage carrier on top. There is even an option to change this for a bicycle rack.

On the passenger side we find a drawer with a universal fridge slide. The second fridge is not supplied as standard as most Topaz buyers are experienced campers who have already purchased one. Every camper trailer needs outside cooking provisions and we loved the Sovereign stainless steel barbecue as standard. For larger and longer items there’s a full width storage compartment accessible from both sides of the trailer.

Track completes the Topaz Series II with a very strong galvanised frame and a host of premium running gear including 12in electric brakes, DO35 V2 coupling, solid jockey wheel, spare wheel in a unique drop-down carrier under the trailer, and a large ensuite for a private hot shower after a long day on the road.

You may need to wash the dust out of your

1 Suitability for intended purpose

“The Topaz’s welcoming interior became a hub for the CTA crew, drawing our weary band like bees to honey”

anita Pavey

Mike Pavey

John ‘Bear’ WilliS

cta rates

campertraileraustralia.com.au 67

OFFROAD

CAMPER OF THE YEAR 2013

clockwise from left: The Sovereign barbecue facilitates outdoor cooking, while the second Waeco fridge is available as an option; Originally developed to serve the military, Track Trailer’s MC2 Asymmetric Link suspension lets the Topaz perform offroad; A good place for activities beginning with ‘s’.

flexibility and features of this innovative freedom machine. The proof is in the pudding, and the Topaz Series II has the runs on the board.

JUDGES’ NOTEPAD

STUART JONES: The Track Trailer Topaz Series II is built for luxury offroading.

This brute gets you where you want to go and is all-inclusive for a long, comfortable stay.

Compression locks on all doors ensure no dust or water can sneak inside as you explore your favourite tracks or tick one more off your bucket list.

The Topaz Series II is as offroad capable as a rig of this size gets. It’s a great option if you want both a serious touring machine and a comfortable home away from home.

cta specs TRACK TRAILER TOPAZ SERIES II > trailer Tare 1670kg ATM 2200kg Suspension MC2 Asymmetric link Brakes 12in electric Coupling DO35 V2 Chassis Varied Drawbar Varied Body 30mm Wheel/tyre 265/75 R16 Style Hybrid

hair but you can be sure that the compression seals on the Topaz will keep that nasty red dust outside the camper.

We need to recognise that the trailer supplied was a prototype with a few experimental items that are being continually developed. Track Trailer isn’t sitting on its successful laurels, and we congratulate the brand on its commitment to ongoing Australian product development. If you don’t like the colour selection then personalise it with a choice of 10 internal and external trim colours and custom internal fabrics.

Travel with the Topaz has been well documented by a range of media personalities who have enjoyed the comfort, function,

NICK MANNELL: Track Trailer manufactures the entire shell and riding gear for the Topaz Series II, and you can really see the R&D that’s gone into the whole design — it’s very tough.

The new model has great floor space and head room and is fitted up with everything you would need to set up camp offroad away from mains power and town water.

What’s more, twin tanks separate the drinking water from the shower supply.

The Topaz is also very easy to set up, has loads of storage, and the kitchen layout is great. I like the barbecue and luxury appointments like the microwave and TV, which are both well supported by the electric fitout.

ANITA PAVEY: The Topaz Series II is a great offroad hybrid with plenty to offer a touring couple. The barbecue and internal kitchen

> dimensions

> accessories Gas cylinders 2 x 4kg Water 2 x 70L Cooktop Sovereign barbecue + Swift four-burner Kitchen Stainless steel x 2 Battery 2 x 105Ah

Portable toilet

Jerry cans

Storage boxes

> price as shown

Fridge

Track Trailer, 403 Dorset Road, Bayswater, Vic 3153, (03) 8727 6100, www.tracktrailer.com.au

Microwave Spare wheel under stove

Shower

Storage

$79,400 > supplied by

Cupboard

Dinette

Box size 4200x1990mm Length (hitch to tail lights) 6150mm

Fridge Barbecue

Awning

TV

“The Topaz Series II is as offroad capable as a rig of this size gets” provide flexibility at meal times, and you’ll be self-sufficient thanks to the 140L water capacity, two 105Ah batteries, inverter and 120W solar panel, two 4kg gas bottles, and room for four jerry cans.

The Topaz Series II is built as a solid one-piece unit, riveted and bolted for strength.

There is high density foam sandwiched between the sheet metal walls, which insulates the camper beautifully.

The low centre of gravity, excellent clearance, good suspension and rear cutaway mean the Topaz handles offroad work with ease.

MIKE PAVEY: The Topaz Series II is a robust offroad tourer, perfectly suited to couples.

The frameless body is truly innovative and the powder-coated alloy panels are made to last.

The Topaz travels exceptionally well offroad given its dimensions; the narrow build helps when slipping through tight access areas.

Little effort is required to set up the Topaz — the roof lift helps a lot. I really like the interior space and the open-plan layout.

JOHN ‘BEAR’ WILLIS: The Track Trailer Topaz Series II has ample space within its shell and a full-height doorway for tall blokes like me.

The hot water service, wardrobe, storage capacity, comfortable upholstery, power

management, loads of electronics — including a TV/DVD, stereo and iPod dock — and a Sovereign barbecue will appeal to long-term tourers. It’s a very luxurious rig. The suspension is excellent and the modular steel construction is strong. I liked it!

Judge’s Pick: stuart jones

If money was no hurdle, give me the Topaz Series II. I love being out in the dirt — the more remote the better — so reliability in the rough stuff counts for plenty.

The Topaz has so much to offer. The comfort level is what you’d expect. It has everything: queen-size comfort, fans for those hot summer nights, stereo, iPod dock, an inverter, even a TV/DVD player (remember when we used to rough it?) and the Sovereign barbecue for outside cooking.

All the inside drawers come with simple locks to ensure nothing opens en route, the storage cabinets shut firmly, and the door is full size to save you from knocking your head.

Up front, there is plenty of storage for larger items, including jerry cans, the handy firewood rack for touring, and an ensuite/hot shower that’s a breeze to set up and use.

The 80-odd gorillas make this the most expensive on test, but I’ll bank on the resale qualities of Track making this a real winner.

campertraileraustralia.com.au 69