Time to Roam Magazine Issue 3 - June/July 2013 | Page 31

|

tried + tested motorhome review

Trakka founders Sally and David Berry

vehicle came with optional side and thorax
airbags. Naturally, ABS disc brakes are
fitted all round and the T5 also comes with
an Electronic Stability Program.

ON THE ROAD
Getting behind the wheel of the Trakkadu
means a fun ride. Yes it is a van, but the
gutsy 132 kW turbo-diesel VW delivers
plenty of power and the seven-speed DSG
gearbox is a very smooth performer indeed.
On the bush tracks I tried, being an AWD,
there was little scrabbling for traction and
the ride was surprisingly smooth. All the
controls are closed to hand, including those
on the multifunction steering wheel, which
are really handy. Rain sensing wipers are
part of the VW package. The external rear
view mirrors on the VW are good but the
rear vision camera certainly aids when
reversing around. A neat little addition are
the folding rear-seat head restraints that
would otherwise block the internal rear view.
A bonus is that they are easier to move out of
the way when making up the bed.
The living area of any van conversion is
going to be considerably smaller than a

coach-built motorhome, but it’s more than
adequate for this light weight camper, as
well as being very versatile for an aroundtown machine. Both cab seats swivel around;
there’s a kitchen bench/wardrobe unit along
the offside; a day/night lounge seat mid-van
and a large shelf in the rear. With the roof
up, the large screened windows offer plenty
of ventilation. There is a rear tent available
for the Trakkadu but I have to say given the
lack of opening windows, I might well be
considering Velcroed insect screens for both
the sliding and rear doors. Light weight Euro
Ply is used for all the cabinet construction.
General storage is a bit limited, but there
are both good sized wardrobe and undershelf areas in the rear, as well as the kitchen
cupboards.
Simple is the word to best describe the
Trakkadu’s catering facilities. A Webasto
diesel fired cooktop is used for heating
everything up; an underbench Waeco 80 litre
fridge keeps things cool and the stainless
steel, glas ̵