Not long ago, we had to spend a few days camped out at Braidwood, NSW (90km east of Canberra) and so we borrowed a Trakkaway 700 Remote motorhome. Although it looks like a typical brand product, it’s unique in the Trakka stable being the only one with a slide-out. Not even a conventional one in a side wall at that but in the rear wall – it’s all designed to give more space around the rear island bed but still keep the motorhome length under seven metres (23ft).

CAB AND CHASSIS

The 700 Remote is a streamlined looking vehicle. It’s designed without a Luton peak; instead a swept back ‘Aero2’ moulding above the driver’s cab gives the motorhome a rakish look. It also has a very low travel height of 2.9m (9ft 6in); the ducted air-conditioning unit is fitted inside the motorhome.

Trakka has used the tried and trusty Fiat Ducato for the base vehicle – the Multijet 180 model equipped with the 132kW/400Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel and the six-speed AMT gearbox. The cab is  bolted to an AL-KO chassis fitted with independent suspension, which gives the motorhome a low centre of gravity.

In keeping with most Trakka coachbuilt designs, the Trakkaway 700 body fits the Ducato very well. A close look at the fibreglass body reveals quite a number of what are known as complex curves – top and bottom. That means areas like the roof are curved fore and aft and to the sides. This not only helps create a better looking motorhome but has practical value as well – rainwater runs off the roof and in the case of the mouldings on the rear wall, they act as an optional rainwater retrieval system. In addition, those same  rear mouldings are curved inwards, not only improving airflow but taking away the boxy look that characterises many motorhome designs.

The slide-out module is worth a closer look. Being in the rear wall, it’s not full height but has to have one of the smoothest and quietest operations we have heard. Like the rest of the motorhome, the slide-out has complex curves, again for aesthetic and sealing purposes, and it is also curved on the external corners – no sharp edges to bump your head on. And that’s for good reason, because the good sized rear boot can be accessed quite easily with the slide-out extended and a little bit of care is needed when opening and closing the boot. That same storage area is also accessible from hatches at the nearside rear – it’s good for housing items like fresh water and drainage hoses.

ON THE ROAD

From Sydney, a run to Braidwood involves city, freeway and country driving (including a few dirt roads) which gave the 700 a good workout. The 132kW engine powers the motorhome along very nicely under just about all conditions. The only problem we ran into (almost literally) was a small railway underpass between the freeway just out of Goulburn and the Braidwood road. It had a height restriction sign that read 2.7m which demands your attention immediately beyond a corner. Trakka’s Martin Poate, following me in a VW T5-powered Trakkadu, was highly entertained as he passed, going easily under the bridge, while I backed up to search for an overpass.

A forward-facing Skyview hatch is fitted immediately above the cab seats. It has an integrated blind and insect screen and the bonus of being able to be left open when driving as it hinges at the front.

Driving the Ducato is a pleasure. It has all the expected safety features, including driver/passenger airbags and ABS brakes. Comfort items included the standard TomTom GPS system and radio/CD player into which you can plug an iPod/MP3 player. Annoyingly, the USB connection had to be disconnected every time we wanted to turn my iPod on or off.

POWERING UP

Although the latest in LED lighting and push button switches/dimmers are all visible, not so obvious is the rest of the 240/12V set-up. Naturally, there are 240V power points in all the appropriate places and a 240V 25A battery charger. However, when camped away from a mains supply, the two 100AH deep-cycle batteries can be charged from the two 135W solar panels. An optional 1200W inverter was also fitted. A feature we like is that all the essential 12V, fridge, heater and water heater controls are located in one panel above the kitchen.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

At my destination the facilities were somewhat basic, but with the fullyequipped Trakkaway 700 that wasn’t really a problem. Inside the motorhome is a front lounge/dining area, a mid offside kitchen, mid nearside bathroom and bedroom in the rear incorporating the slide-out.

Decor is very much in the Trakka style, with its trademark roller shutter doors that are used for the cupboards and numerous overhead lockers. We particularly like the above cab units for stashing day-use items. The Seitz hopper windows allow plenty of light by day and, by night, the sophisticated LED light system kicks in. That includes clever blue/violet strip lights that are concealed above the cab and above and below the kitchen bench – good for romantic effect or a night light depending on your point of view.

SITTING BACK

Trakka has retained the Ducato cab with its motorhome cut out and swivelling cab seats. The latter integrate with the two-person seat on the offside to form a simple lounge/dining area. There are two tables – a simple hinged affair on the wall for drinks or a larger surface mounted on a multi-adjustable Zwaardvis frame (stored in the bedroom area along the nearside wall).

Notably, the motorhome floor is stepped such that all the seat levels are the same and shorter persons don’t have dangling feet.

Behind the passenger seat is a small cabinet with a solid, pole-mounted TV above. While that arrangement gives a variable height for the TV we discovered that the TV has to be in the low position to see out of the window behind.

CATERING

Several Trakka motorhomes feature an L-shaped kitchen but the 700 has a straight bench. It’s equipped with a Webasto diesel-fired cooktop and a round stainless-steel sink, as well as an under-bench Waeco 136-litre 12V compressor fridge.

The diesel cooktop is a feature of other motorhomes in the Trakka range and is standard for this model. Although they work quite well the heating cycle is slower than a gas cooktop and we suspect impatient types (like yours truly) might find that a problem. A gas system is also available.

Drawer space is excellent in the 700’s kitchen. Although there are three overhead lockers above the kitchen bench, only one is available for items like cups and plates. The other two contain a microwave oven and the all important control panel for electrics and heating, both space and water. Just to mention the latter briefly, the combo 20-litre unit takes up the external bin at the rear offside and is diesel fired and works on an intercooler unit.

KEEPING CLEAN

Like most other Trakka motorhomes, the 700’s bathroom is well appointed in practical terms and décor with flexible hose shower, wash basin and cassette toilet. It does, of course, have the Trakka-developed remote control Thetford cassette toilet. For those  not familiar with this device, the loo can be remotely powered out of the way under the wash basin when not needed. It’s a great little space saving device.

SLEEPING HOURS

A different set of buttons on that same remote control pad will operate the slide-out in the rear of the motorhome. It’s probably a good idea not to get those two confused in the middle of the night…

One of the features of this slide-out is that the rest of the motorhome can easily be used with it closed. Although the bed can be used also in this way, it’s a bit of a high clamber over the end – entry from the steps on either side is much easier. The bedroom area is fitted with windows all round, cupboards, mirror and flatscreen TV.

THE BOTTOM LINE

As with any motorhome design, there are compromises. In this case the slide-out island bed is higher than normal at the foot of the bed and you have to climb around it to get in it. One of the great little features is the way the driver’s cab seats swivel around to integrate with rear bench seat.

The Trakkaway 700 motorhome has the same driving length as the Fiat Ducato/ Mercedes Sprinter van conversions (both of which Trakka manufactures) and one which offers considerably more interior space and comfort. That’s a compromise we can live with.

GOOD THINKING

• Motorhome body design
• Rear slide-out
• LED lighting
• Well proportioned internal layout
• Overhead locker design

COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER

• Doesn't want for much but i'd really prefer a gas cooktop/grill
• Fiat's radio for external device connections 

Category: Reviews
Written: Wed 01 Jan 2014
Printed: January, 2014
Published By: