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Trakka are a well-known boutique manufacturer of everything from VW T5 based campervans to large B & C class coach built motorhomes, not to mention a few vehicles built specially for off-road use. In between are several van based conversions but there’s no doubt that the flagship is the longest of them all, the Trakkaway 860.

Cab, Chassis and Body

Like quite a few of the Trakka range, the 860 is built on a Fiat Ducato multijet cab chassis that is bolted to an Al-Ko tandem axle chassis. In my case it was the 160 multijet, with its 3.0 litre turbo diesel engine, but since that model is now superseded by the 180 multijet with a slightly higher power output, those figures are included. For the body construction, Trakka use a vacuum moulded composite  panel construction which is enhanced greatly by the front nose cone moulding – Aero2 in Trakka speak, the rear wheel arch mouldings and in this case, the clever moulding that is designed to hold the optional rainwater retrieval system with a 55 litre storage tank. Above the cab, Trakka has fitted a Euro style curved hatch, aptly name Skyview, which not  only looks good but allows a considerable amount of naturally light in.

Seitz acrylic hopper style windows are used all round and the door is a Dometic variety with a half window – like the windows complete with integrated blind and insect screen. One of the clever features is the built-in external storage at the rear. It’s actually the under bed area but accessible from both sides and the large bin door at the rear. The only other bin, on the mid offside, contains three 4.0kg gas cylinders. Stored in the rear bin are not only the usual hoses but also a stainless steel BBQ.

Being a Trakka motorhome, electrics are of course going to be very sophisticated. Two 100 AH AGM batteries deliver the 12V load and they are charged by a 25 amp charger, 135W of solar power and the vehicle alternator. Also fitted in is a 1200W inverter for use when camping  away from mains supply. There’s an electronic control system to ensure it all works properly. Together with the three way fridge that can be run off LP gas and the diesel fired heater, this combination is well set up for remote camping over an extended period, as long as plenty of food supplies are carried. 

All this weighs in with a tare of 4,250kg which, given the GVM of 5,000kg courtesy of the Al-Ko chassis, gives a good load capacity and requires a Light Rigid truck driver’s licence.

On the Road

I mentioned earlier that this 860 is built on a Ducato Multijet 160 but it’s my experience that there’s very little noticeable difference between that and the slightly more powerful Multijet 180. Whichever, one of the characteristics of the 3.0 litre Ducato is that it is a very spirited performer. In tandem with the six speed automated manual gearbox it runs very well even with something the size of a Trakkaway 860. One of the characteristics of the Al-Ko chassis is that it sits quite close to the ground, which does mean a minimal ground clearance but also means that the motorhome handles well on winding roads. In a large  motorhome there’s plenty of opportunity for numerous squeaks and rattles but there were surprisingly few, the only one of note being one in the driver’s cab.

Department of the Interior

One of the characteristics of this motorhome’s layout is that, being the longest in the Trakka fleet, it comes with all the good features of shorter Trakkaway designs thrown in together. The internal areas are neatly split in two with the lounge/dining and kitchen being towards the front and the bathroom and  bedroom being towards the rear. Entering the motorhome, the kitchen is directly opposite and the front lounge area is to the right. Taking a step upwards to the right gives access through the split bathroom to the bedroom in the rear.

Characteristic of Trakka designs are the subtle tones of beige, maple and grey, along with the roller shutter doors and timber down light mountings in the ceiling. One of the more recent additions to the range has been the inclusion of subtle mauve LED strip lighting around places like the driver’s cab and under the raised kitchen bench. It’s quite effective at night. During the day, the three large roof hatches allow for a very even level of natural light.

Sitting Back

One of the well put together features in the 860 is the front area. Both cab seats swivel around and integrate well with the sideways facing lounges on both sides. All the seating is upholstered in the optional leather upgrade. Between the lounges, a Zwaardvis swivel mounted table can be moved around to be either out of the way or easily usable between all the seats. Overhead lockers with roller shutter doors are fitted above both lounges and around the driver’s cab as well. I like the two recessed compartments in the back of the kitchen bench that can be used for books and magazines and the like. Easily viewable from most seats is the flat screen TV that is pole mounted on the corner of  the kitchen bench. Far too frequently in many RVs the under seat storage areas are difficult to get at with seat cushions and ply bases having to be shifted out of the way. Not here, the sprung hinged seat base simply lifts up – amazingly easy! 

Catering

L shaped kitchens in motorhomes are not so much space saving as space effective. That is certainly the case with this one with the three burner cooktop and grill/ oven below set against the wall and the stainless steel sink/drainer at right angles to that. Whilst this arrangement allows for a nominal amount of bench space, it’s improved greatly by a raised shelf area along the rear of the sideways bench and  the hinged shelf at the bench end. Under bench storage is excellent with three good sized drawers, a below oven storage compartment and a small slide-out wire basket pantry. In the overhead locker area, the middle cabinet makes a good mounting point for the assorted controls, including the sophisticated but easy to use electrical touch panel.

Also worth a mention is the 190 litre three way fridge that sits opposite the kitchen, alongside the entry door. Above  that is a Sharp carousel microwave oven, not too high off the floor and above that is a small locker designed to securely accept, plates cups and saucers. Both the microwave oven and locker have a roller shutter door.

Sleeping Hours

In the rear, windows are all round and a large roof hatch allows for a good supply of natural light and ventilation. Island beds are a favourite in any motorhome but not always practical. In this case though, given the length of the motorhome, there is a bed of 2.1m x 1.49m with a goodly amount of walk around room. The mattress sits on a well-constructed bed base that can easily be lifted to give access to the storage  area underneath. That consists of two large drawers and also, as mentioned previously the external bin storage – handy if it’s raining outside. Underneath the two drawers is the Truma air  conditioner unit – set up with ducts to all the appropriate places.

In addition to the under bed storage, there is a simple but effective bed head with side wardrobes and cabinets, and even with the rear window, small overhead lockers. Diagonal half height cupboards are set into both the footof- bed corners, the top half space on the nearside has a pole mounted TV whilst the opposite side has a pole mounted mirror.

Keeping Clean

Whilst many RVs come with a full width bathroom, usually in the rear, the Trakkaway has a split design with the shower cubicle on the offside and the toilet cubicle on the nearside, which in  my opinion works very well and is more space effective than a full bathroom. Both cubicles are reasonably sized and vented – the toilet having a window as well. In addition to a Thetford cassette loo, there is also space for a snazzy looking corner vanity cabinet with contemporary wash basin above.

Verdict

One of my claims to fame, ahem, is that I had one of the first drives of a motorhome built on a Fiat Ducato cab in tandem with an Al-Ko chassis in the Southern Hemisphere. It was a Trakka built unit but happened to be in New Zealand because Trakka, at the time, had business interests over there and it was actually the prototype of this Trakkaway 860. Naturally there have been some considerable changes and improvements since that time, which are all reflected in this motorhome. With a length of 8.62m/28ft 4in it’s not a small motorhome but that does mean plenty of space for everything and does not feel cramped at all. With a price tag over $210,000 this is certainly not a cheap motorhome but one that is very state of the art and promises a very classy lifestyle on the road. All totally self-contained of course!

Category: Reviews
Written: Mon 01 July 2013
Printed: July, 2013
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