REVIEW WORDS AND PICS MIKE AND ANITA PAVEY; ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY TRACK TRAILER
Total Tourer
The Paveys deliver their verdict on their Track Trailer Topaz after putting it to the test touring Oz.
F
ollowing the success of the goanywhere Tvan, Track Trailer began dabbling around in the gene pool for a worthy sibling. The 14ft AllTerrain van with internal shower and toilet appeared in 2003 with metal bench-tops and cupboards. Sometime later, the AT17, a luxury 17ft offroad caravan with air suspension, appeared. And finally, after producing a number of prototypes, 2008 saw the birth of the Topaz – a 13ft, offroad pop-top van. Since its release the Topaz has been refined — improving an already good thing. Some of the latest changes include flush-fitting windows, new internal latches, and diesel hot water and heating. What the Topaz essentially offers
Exploring along Rainbow Beach near Qld’s Cooloola Recreation Reserve.
is practical dimensions in a footprint marginally larger than a camper trailer. The body measures 4m in length with a cutaway tail to improve departure angles, while a solid galvanised torque tube protects the rear of the van, doubling as a recovery rail. The body is no wider than a large 4WD, improving clearances on tight tracks. Riding on a hot-dipped fully galvanised chassis, the Topaz uses the MC2 Asymmetric Link suspension that Track developed for the military. It provides 230mm of wheel travel, dual Koni shock absorbers, plus revised rebound damping and coil rates. Up front, the 3.5t Vehicle Components Hitchmaster DO35 coupling provides
great articulation offroad, allowing the vehicle and trailer to entertain some serious angles while also time making hitching-up a breeze. The wheel track is approximately 1680mm with the option of matching wheels and stud patterns to suit most vehicles. Al-Ko 12in offroad electric drum brakes and a Vehicle Components handbrake are fitted. Set-up is blissfully quick, limited to popping the full-length roof and attaching the stabilising legs. An optional awning rolls out from the near side of the van and is supported by integrated aluminium legs, which can be pegged to the ground if needed. However, we found a couple of guy ropes provides the best insurance against unexpected wind. Otherwise, an
Track Trailer Topaz
anti-flap kit is available as an option with the annexe. While 14L 240V/gas-fired pressurised hot and cold water comes standard (a diesel-powered unit is optional), the ensuite, taps and showerhead are an option. The shower is plumbed to the rear of the van, with the taps and head housed in a small compartment above the enclosed gas storage. The showerhead itself hooks into the ensuite roof support, freeing up your hands. One of my favourite things about the Topaz is the wide doorway, which allows plenty of head room; no issues for my 6ft 5in frame. The interior has an upmarket feel with practical, easy-to-clean powdercoated surfaces and leather upholstery. It
★ RATING Offroad Ability Bushability Set Up Electrics/Lighting Value For Money Comforts
28 Real Readers Living the Dream
Real Readers Living the Dream 29
REVIEW Track Trailer Topaz
East-west queen bed makes the best use of the available space.
An additional 110W solar panel keeps the batteries at full charge.
Optional external kitchen and Waeco fridge stored in the front storage box.
Compact-but-not-cramped feel aided by the full-length pop-up roof.
is built to take a few knocks and still look good well into its service life. The interior layout has enough space without feeling cramped. The standard east-west queen bed configuration is positioned across the front of the van, with the kitchen at the rear. This leaves a compact space in the middle for a multi-positional table, three-seater leather lounge and full-size robe. The table is a little on the small side for more than two people, although that is a common complaint for vans or hybrids in this segment. As a bonus, the table can be moved to provide easy access to the bed, or rotated over the bed for drinks, breakfast or bed-time reading. There are a number of different bedding configurations available, including a permanent north-south king, north-south king singles with centre storage pods, and a number of bunk options. Our van is
30 Real Readers Living the Dream
The stainless steel barbecue hidden away in the cavernous storage
fitted with the east-west queen-size bed and wardrobe, which easily converts to a king-size by dropping the table and using an in-fill cushion. We found the king bed great in the hot tropics, where additional space on sticky nights was really appreciated. It also provides an additional
“We found the king bed great in the hot tropics, where additional space on sticky nights was really appreciated” foot or so of floor space with the bed returned to an east-west mode. The pop-top windows are covered in insect mesh and allow excellent
ventilation when combined with the security door and the two ports above the bed. Even so, I consider a pair of lowdraw Sirocco Caframo fans an essential option, especially in the tropics. Also an option, a reverse-cycle air conditioning unit doubles as a heater for cooler climate touring. The interior kitchen is very functional, featuring a four-burner cooktop and grill with glass splashback, a sink fed by pumped hot and cold water, and powder-coated aluminium drawers. These drawers provide excellent access into the storage areas when compared with pokey cupboards. Complementing the drawers, headheight storage lockers are fitted on three sides of the van for smaller items. An 80L 12/240V Waeco fridge/freezer keeps your food cold and twin 70L water tanks with gauges handle the water supply.